Peptide comparison
CJC-1295 vs Ipamorelin
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are both research peptides. This side-by-side compares their mechanism, typical research dosing, half-life, routes and safety so you can see how they differ. For research use only.
| CJC-1295 | Ipamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Hormonal | Hormonal |
| Overview | A synthetic GHRH analog studied for stimulating growth hormone and IGF-1 release; not approved for human use. | A selective ghrelin-receptor agonist that stimulates pulsatile GH release; human data limited and it is not an approved drug. |
| How it works | CJC-1295 binds GHRH receptors on somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary, activating adenylate cyclase and raising intracellular cAMP, which stimulates synthesis and pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone. The downstream GH rise increases hepatic production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The with-DAC variant uses a maleimido linker that bonds covalently to serum albumin, greatly prolonging circulation and producing continuous receptor stimulation and a multi-day IGF-1 elevation. The without-DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) variant has no albumin binding, so it clears quickly and produces a brief GH pulse, leaving the negative-feedback and somatostatin systems comparatively intact. | Ipamorelin binds and activates the GHS-R1a (ghrelin) receptor on anterior-pituitary somatotrophs. Receptor activation couples through Gq/phospholipase C, generating IP3 and mobilizing intracellular calcium, which drives GH secretion. This pathway is distinct from and complementary to GHRH, which signals via cAMP at the GHRH receptor; this mechanistic complementarity is the rationale for combining ipamorelin with GHRH analogs such as CJC-1295. Because it mimics endogenous ghrelin signaling, ipamorelin produces a pulsatile rather than continuous GH rise. Its defining preclinical property is selectivity for GH release with minimal effect on ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin. |
| Half-life | Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29): ~30 minutes to 2 hours. With DAC: ~5.8-8.1 days. | ~2 hours (terminal half-life in human PK studies; GH pulse peaks ~40 min post-dose) |
| Dosing reference | Human dosing exists only from Phase 1 research on the with-DAC form. Teichman et al. (2006) gave single subcutaneous doses of 1-30 mcg/kg, and repeat weekly or biweekly doses, in healthy adults; doses of 30 and 60 mcg/kg were described as safe and relatively well tolerated. There is no established clinical dosing for the without-DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) form in humans, and CJC-1295 is not FDA-approved for any therapeutic use. | No approved clinical dosing exists; ipamorelin is not a licensed drug. In investigational human studies it was given intravenously. The Phase 2 postoperative ileus proof-of-concept trial in bowel-resection patients used intravenous ipamorelin 0.03 mg/kg twice daily for up to 7 days; it was well tolerated but did not significantly improve the primary efficacy endpoint versus placebo. Human pharmacokinetic studies administered single IV infusions to characterize the GH response. There is no established therapeutic dose for body composition, anti-aging, or performance use. |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intramuscular | subcutaneous, intramuscular |
| Safety & side effects | In the Phase 1 with-DAC trials no serious adverse reactions were reported; common effects were injection-site reactions (redness, swelling, itching), transient flushing or warmth, headache, and occasional diarrhea, generally mild and self-limiting. As a GH secretagogue, plausible class-related concerns with sustained or high GH/IGF-1 elevation include water retention, joint aches, tingling/numbness (carpal-tunnel-like symptoms), and reduced insulin sensitivity or higher blood glucose. The sustained tonic stimulation of the with-DAC form raises more concern about chronic IGF-1 elevation than the short-acting no-DAC form. Long-term human safety data are lacking. Product purity and accurate dosing from unregulated sources are not guaranteed. CJC-1295 is not approved for human consumption, is sold for research use only, and is banned in competitive sport by WADA. People should consult a qualified clinician before considering any GH-axis intervention. | Human safety data are limited and short-term. In trials ipamorelin was generally well tolerated, consistent with its selective profile (minimal cortisol/prolactin perturbation). Plausible and reported effects relate to GH/IGF-1 elevation and ghrelin signaling: water retention, transient numbness or tingling, headache, flushing or injection-site reactions, lightheadedness, and possible effects on insulin sensitivity/blood glucose with sustained GH elevation. Theoretical longer-term concerns from chronic GH/IGF-1 excess include edema, joint pain, carpal-tunnel-like symptoms, and a theoretical concern about promoting growth of existing tumors; these are not established for ipamorelin specifically. It is research-use-only, not FDA-approved, and product purity/identity from research suppliers is not guaranteed. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have cancer, or have endocrine disease should not use it; not medical advice. |
For research use only. Not for human consumption. Always verify against current literature.