CJC-1295 dosage and protocol
Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026. Editorial policy
US regulatory status: Nomination withdrawn
CJC-1295 (with DAC) is a long-acting GHRH analog that binds to albumin in the blood, extending its half-life to 6-8 days and allowing infrequent dosing (twice weekly in this record's protocol). It produces sustained GH elevation by stimulating the pituitary gland consistently throughout the week. One of the most popular peptides in anti-aging clinics worldwide when combined with Ipamorelin.
- Vial size: 5 mg
- Reconstitution: 2 mL bacteriostatic water
- Concentration: 2.5 mg/mL
- Administration: subcutaneous
Research areas
- Growth Hormone
- Anti-Aging
- Fat Loss
- Muscle Growth
- Recovery
- Sleep Quality
Quick start
- Reconstitute: Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water → ~2.5 mg/mL concentration
- Typical dose range: 300–1000 mcg per injection, twice weekly (gradual titration)
- Easy measuring: At 2.5 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 25 mcg on a U-100 syringe
- Storage: Lyophilized at −20°C; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 2–4 weeks
Dosing protocol
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 300 mcg (0.3 mg) | Twice weekly (SC) | 0.12 mL (12 units) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 500 mcg (0.5 mg) | Twice weekly (SC) | 0.20 mL (20 units) |
| Weeks 5–6 | 750 mcg (0.75 mg) | Twice weekly (SC) | 0.30 mL (30 units) |
| Weeks 7–12 | 1000 mcg (1 mg) | Twice weekly (SC) | 0.40 mL (40 units) |
How it works
CJC-1295 with DAC is a modified analog of the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29). Four amino-acid substitutions protect it from rapid enzymatic breakdown, and a reactive maleimide linker (the Drug Affinity Complex) lets it bind covalently to circulating albumin. This extends its half-life to roughly 6–8 days, compared with minutes for native GHRH. The peptide activates GHRH receptors on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary, increasing cAMP signaling and growth hormone (GH) synthesis and release. GH in turn raises liver production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Because the stimulus is prolonged, CJC-1295 with DAC tends to raise baseline (trough) GH levels while pulsatile release is largely preserved. In small human studies in healthy adults conducted during its clinical development in the mid-2000s, single subcutaneous injections raised GH for several days and increased IGF-1 for one to two weeks in a dose-dependent manner, and repeated dosing kept IGF-1 elevated. Clinical development was halted and it is not approved by the FDA or other regulators for any indication. There are no long-term outcome trials on body composition, recovery or aging in humans, so these uses remain speculative.
Units chart for a 5 mg vial
| Water added | Strength | 1 unit = | 300 mcg | 500 mcg | 750 mcg | 1 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg | 6 units | 10 units | 15 units | 20 units |
| 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 25 mcg | 12 units | 20 units | 30 units | 40 units |
| 3 mL | 1.67 mg/mL | 16.7 mcg | 18 units | 30 units | 45 units | 60 units |
Units on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL).
Pages for each vial size and water volume
Reconstitution steps
- Draw 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake)
- Label and refrigerate at 2–8°C, protected from light; use within 2–4 weeks
Storage
Evidence: Common practice. What vendors and users usually do. No published stability testing supports a specific number.
- Powder or unopened: Sealed powder: freezer (about −20 °C) for long-term storage, refrigerator for weeks. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening.
- Mixed or in use: Refrigerator, 2–8 °C. Do not freeze and thaw repeatedly.
- Use within: no tested number
- Light: Keep it in the box or another dark container.
Most reconstituted peptides are kept in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) and used within about 28 days. That is a convention, not tested data: the 28 days comes from the USP <797> limit for opened multiple-dose containers, which is about sterility, not about whether the peptide stays intact.
Sources: Crestigen: Peptide storage and handling guide; USP General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding: Sterile Preparations
Store lyophilized at −20°C. After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 2–4 weeks. Avoid freeze–thaw cycles.
Important notes
- Research use only
- DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) extends half-life to 6-8 days — allows infrequent dosing (twice weekly in this record's protocol)
- Best stacked with Ipamorelin for synergistic GH release without side effects
- Produces sustained, blunted GH elevation vs. sharp pulses from MOD-GRF
- Monitor for water retention and potential IGF-1 increase
- Gold standard combination with Ipamorelin in wellness clinics
Supplies
- Bacteriostatic water
- Insulin syringes
- Alcohol swabs