CJC-1295 Dosage Calculator

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), a 44-amino acid endogenous peptide produced in the hypothalamus that stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone (GH). The original CJC-1295 compound was developed by ConjuChem Biotechnologies and incorporates a drug affinity complex (DAC) technology — a maleimidoproprionic acid reactive group that covalently binds to albumin after injection, dramatically extending the compound's half-life from minutes to approximately eight days, enabling infrequent dosing schedules.

A second commonly encountered form, known as CJC-1295 without DAC or Modified GRF 1-29 (Mod GRF 1-29), lacks the albumin-binding moiety and instead achieves modest half-life extension (approximately 30 minutes) through four amino acid substitutions that confer protease resistance. These two forms have fundamentally different pharmacokinetics: CJC-1295 with DAC produces sustained GH release over days, while Mod GRF 1-29 produces a sharp, pulsatile GH spike within minutes of injection — making them suitable for different research protocols depending on the investigator's goals.

CJC-1295 binds to and activates the GHRH receptor (GHRH-R), a class B G-protein-coupled receptor expressed on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland. Receptor activation stimulates the synthesis and pulsatile secretion of endogenous growth hormone from pituitary stores. Because CJC-1295 works upstream of the pituitary, it maintains the natural regulatory feedback mechanisms: the pituitary can only release GH it has stored, and the existing somatostatin-mediated negative feedback loop remains intact, making GH elevation somewhat self-limiting.

With DAC, the sustained albumin binding produces prolonged, low-level GHRH stimulation, elevating mean GH levels and IGF-1 over days. Without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29), administration produces a sharp GH pulse that mimics an amplified natural secretory episode and is commonly combined with a GHRP compound (such as ipamorelin or hexarelin) to produce synergistic GH release by simultaneously stimulating both the GHRH and ghrelin receptor pathways in the pituitary.

CJC-1295 lyophilized powder is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water for injection. For a 2 mg vial, inject 2 mL of bacteriostatic water slowly against the glass wall of the vial. Gently swirl until the powder fully dissolves; the solution should be clear and colorless. Do not shake vigorously. A 2 mg vial with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water yields a concentration of 1,000 mcg/mL — meaning a 100 mcg dose requires just 0.10 mL (10 IU on a U100 syringe).

For convenience at 200 mcg doses, each dose draws 0.20 mL (20 IU). Administer subcutaneously with a fine-gauge insulin syringe (27–31 gauge), rotating injection sites. If combining with ipamorelin or another GHRP, each peptide should ideally be drawn from its own vial but may be combined into the same syringe immediately before injection, as no chemical incompatibility between these peptides has been widely reported.

CJC-1295 with DAC research protocols typically use doses of 1–2 mg administered once or twice per week, based on the compound's extended half-life. Because it produces sustained GHRH receptor activation, frequent dosing is not necessary and may blunt the pulsatile nature of GH secretion. In the published clinical trial by Teichman et al. (2006), a single subcutaneous injection of CJC-1295 (1 mg dose) produced sustained increases in GH levels for six days and elevated IGF-1 for eight to ten days in healthy adults.

CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) research typically employs doses of 100–300 mcg per injection, administered two to three times daily on an empty stomach to align with natural GH secretory pulses. When co-administered with a GHRP compound like ipamorelin, the combination protocol is usually: CJC-1295 without DAC 100–200 mcg + ipamorelin 200–300 mcg, injected simultaneously 2–3 times daily. Peak GH response typically occurs 20–40 minutes post-injection. This combined approach has been extensively documented in preclinical research and represents a common research protocol design.

Lyophilized CJC-1295 should be stored at 2–8°C and is stable for months when kept refrigerated and away from light. For research archives, storage at -20°C extends stability to over a year. Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, store at 2–8°C and use within 28 days. CJC-1295 with DAC is considered slightly more stable in solution than Mod GRF 1-29, owing to its albumin-bound form limiting aggregation. Always inspect for turbidity or particulates before each use and discard any compromised vials.

In the Teichman Phase 1/2 clinical trial, CJC-1295 was well tolerated at doses of 30–120 mcg/kg. The most common adverse effects reported were transient flushing, warmth, and tingling at the injection site and in the face, believed to be related to GH pulse induction, along with headache and mild dizziness. These effects were generally self-limiting. Potential long-term concerns with sustained GH elevation include insulin resistance, water retention, and carpal tunnel syndrome, consistent with the class effects of GH secretagogues. This is a research compound intended for laboratory investigation only.