COMMON INITIAL DOSING REGIMENS

• Administer 100–300 mcg subcutaneously, 1–3 times per week, depending on the treatment goals and clinical context. For longer-lasting effects, a dose of 2 mg weekly may also be used due to its extended half-life.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

• CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH analog with the addition of a drug affinity complex (DAC) that extends its half-life to approximately 6–8 days. It binds to GHRH receptors in the anterior pituitary, stimulating pulsatile release of GH. This promotes downstream effects mediated by IGF-1, including enhanced muscle protein synthesis, increased fat metabolism, improved skin elasticity, and support for bone density.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

• Injection Site: Localized irritation, redness, or swelling.

• Endocrine: Transient fatigue, water retention, or mild hypoglycemia.

• Neurological: Rare reports of headaches, dizziness, or restlessness.

• Cardiovascular: Peripheral edema or transient increases in blood pressure.

• Long-term: Concerns about potential pituitary overstimulation or increased risk of insulin resistance are theoretical and require further study.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Absolute: Hypersensitivity to CJC-1295 or excipients.

• Relative: Patients with active malignancies should avoid treatment due to the potential of growth hormone stimulation promoting tumor growth. Caution is also advised in individuals with diabetes, as IGF-1 elevation may affect glucose regulation. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER HGH SUPPORT MEDICATIONS

• CJC-1295 vs. Ipamorelin: While both stimulate GH release, ipamorelin primarily acts on ghrelin receptors, offering a highly specific and mild stimulation of GH with minimal cortisol or prolactin increases. CJC-1295 provides more sustained GH release due to its longer half-life, making it suitable for fewer injections but potentially increasing the risk of side effects like water retention.

• CJC-1295 vs. Sermorelin: Sermorelin mimics natural GHRH and requires more frequent dosing (daily injections) due to a shorter half-life. CJC-1295 offers more prolonged GH stimulation, resulting in less frequent dosing but a higher risk of GH overstimulation.

• CJC-1295 vs. Tesamorelin: Tesamorelin is specifically FDA-approved for reducing visceral adipose tissue in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Its mechanism focuses on both GH release and targeted fat metabolism, making it more specialized than CJC-1295. CJC-1295, however, has broader applications in anti-aging and general GH deficiencies.

• CJC-1295 vs. Ibutamoren: Ibutamoren is an oral GH secretagogue that mimics ghrelin, stimulating GH and IGF-1 release while promoting appetite. It avoids injections but may have higher risks of insulin resistance and weight gain compared to injectable peptides like CJC-1295.

MORE INFORMATION

• FDA Safety Data Sheet not available (experimental peptide therapy)

• Sigalos J. The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues. Sex Med Rev. 2018 [PubMed Link] 

• Sinha DK. Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males. Transl Androl Urol. 2020 [PubMed Link]

• Smith RG. Development of growth hormone secretagogues. Endocr Rev. 2005 [PubMed Link]

• Svensson J. Growth hormone secretagogues as therapeutic agents. Growth Horm IGF Res. 1999 [PubMed Link]

• Sigalos JT. Growth Hormone Secretagogue Treatment in Hypogonadal Men Raises Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels. Am J Mens Health. 2017 [PubMed Link]

• Ferro P. Structure-activity relationship for peptídic growth hormone secretagogues. Drug Test Anal. 2017 [PubMed Link]

• Thomas A, Delahaut P, Krug O, Schänzer W, Thevis M. Metabolism of growth hormone releasing peptides. Anal Chem. 2012 [PubMed Link]

• Peschke B. The influence of conformational restriction in the C-terminus of growth hormone secretagogues on their potency. Eur J Med Chem. 2002 [PubMed Link] 

• Lall S. Growth hormone (GH)-independent stimulation of adiposity by GH secretagogues. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2001 [PubMed Link] 

• Johansen PB. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of ipamorelin and other peptidyl growth hormone secretagogues with emphasis on nasal absorption. Xenobiotica. 1998 [PubMed Link]

• Teichman S. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 [PubMed Link]

• Ionescu M. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 [PubMed Link]