What is CJC-1295, and what does the research show?

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The name CJC-1295 covers two forms: CJC-1295 with drug affinity complex (DAC) and CJC-1295 without DAC. In its evaluation of CJC-1295-related bulk drug substances (memo dated November 15, 2024), FDA describes CJC-1295 with drug affinity complex (DAC) and CJC-1295 without DAC as 'two different active moieties'. FDA states: 'Different active moieties are not interchangeable because they can have different safety and efficacy profiles.'

What CJC-1295 is

FDA's 2024 evaluation describes CJC-1295 without DAC as a synthetic peptide of 29 amino acids that differs from growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) at four amino acid positions.[1] According to FDA's 2024 evaluation, CJC-1295 with DAC has an added chemical group that can bind to albumin, a protein in the blood.[1]

FDA's 2024 evaluation found products labeled as CJC-1295 with DAC and as CJC-1295 without DAC, listed for research use only, on websites it visited in August 2024.[1]

According to FDA's 2024 evaluation, the researchers who first described CJC-1295 with DAC concluded, from laboratory and rat experiments, that binding to albumin accounted for its greater stability compared with the unmodified peptide GHRH(1-29).[1] FDA says direct evidence for that explanation is lacking, because the form with DAC has not been compared with the same peptide without DAC.[1]

What human research there is

According to FDA's 2024 evaluation, the clinical articles it reviewed do not clearly identify which form of CJC-1295 was given in the studies.[1]

In searches of PubMed and Europe PMC on October 8, 2026, the published studies we found in which people were given CJC-1295, read by FDA as the form with DAC, and results were reported were a 2006 report of two placebo-controlled trials in healthy adults, a 2006 overnight study in healthy men, and a 2009 laboratory analysis of stored blood samples from 11 of those men.[2][3][4][1] According to FDA's 2024 evaluation and the 2009 paper, each used product from the company that developed CJC-1295 with DAC, and the same researcher is an author of each.[1][4] FDA's 2024 evaluation describes the same studies.[1]

Blood hormone levels in healthy adults

Two small placebo-controlled trials in healthy adults aged 21 to 61, reported together in a 2006 paper, measured hormone levels in the blood after injections of CJC-1295, which FDA's 2024 memo reads as the form with DAC, made by the company that developed it.[2][1]

In those two trials, after a single injection of CJC-1295 (read by FDA as the form with DAC), average growth hormone levels rose 2 to 10 fold for 6 days or more, depending on the dose, and average levels of IGF-1, a hormone the body makes in response to growth hormone, rose 1.5 to 3 fold for 9 to 11 days.[2] We read the abstract of that 2006 paper, not the full text. In those two trials, the estimated half-life of CJC-1295 (read by FDA as the form with DAC) was 5.8 to 8.1 days.[2] FDA's 2024 memo notes that the two trials did not measure outcomes such as changes in lean body mass or fat mass.[1] The measurements in those two trials were blood levels in healthy adults, and they do not show an effect on health.

In a 2006 study, healthy men aged 20 to 40 had blood sampled every 20 minutes overnight, before and one week after a single injection of CJC-1295, which FDA's 2024 evaluation reads as the form with DAC.[3][1] The abstract describes no placebo group, and it reports that in those men the lowest growth hormone levels between pulses rose 7.5 fold, average growth hormone rose 46% and IGF-1 rose 45%.[3] The abstract also reports that growth hormone was still released in pulses.[3] In its 2024 evaluation, FDA gives the number of men in that study as 12.[1] We read the abstract of that 2006 study, not the full text.

CJC-1295, with or without DAC, is not an FDA-approved drug for any use, according to FDA's evaluation of CJC-1295-related bulk drug substances (memo dated November 15, 2024; checked October 14, 2026).

The form without DAC

FDA's 2024 evaluation says it found no study of how CJC-1295 without DAC acts in the body, no animal toxicity study of it and no study that gave it to people.[1] A 2026 review of growth hormone related peptides places CJC-1295 without DAC among substances for which it says no peer-reviewed human studies exist.[5]

In our searches of PubMed and Europe PMC on October 8, 2026, we found no published study that says it gave people CJC-1295 without DAC. FDA also wrote that findings for CJC-1295 with DAC cannot be carried over to CJC-1295 without DAC.[1]

Marketed uses

In its 2024 evaluation, FDA found CJC-1295 marketed online for weight loss and for muscle building, and reported that most websites did not say which form they offered.[1]

In searches of PubMed, Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov on October 8, 2026, we found no published study in people that tested CJC-1295, in either form, for muscle, strength, fat loss, sleep, recovery from injury, bone or aging. A trial of CJC-1295 in adults with HIV-associated visceral obesity, with the form not stated in the record, is listed on ClinicalTrials.gov as terminated, with a start in December 2005, a completion date of September 2006 and no results posted when we checked on October 8, 2026.[6]

CJC-1295, with or without DAC, is not an FDA-approved drug for any use, including weight loss, muscle building, anti-aging or longevity, according to FDA's evaluation of CJC-1295-related bulk drug substances (memo dated November 15, 2024; checked October 14, 2026).

Growth hormone deficiency

FDA's 2024 evaluation examined growth hormone deficiency as the use and reported that it found no study evaluating effectiveness in people with that condition for any form of CJC-1295.[1] FDA also wrote that people with complete growth hormone deficiency will not respond to a drug of this kind, because it works by prompting the pituitary gland to release growth hormone.[1]

CJC-1295, with or without DAC, is not an FDA-approved drug for any use, according to FDA's evaluation of CJC-1295-related bulk drug substances (memo dated November 15, 2024; checked October 14, 2026).

Evidence table

Evidence levels in this table follow our grading key. Emerging means some human evidence that falls short of consistent randomized trials, such as small or single trials. Not graded means we give no level, here because the searches named in that row found no study that supports the claim.

A search that finds no study does not show that none exists.

Anti-doping

The World Anti-Doping Agency's 2026 Prohibited List, in effect from January 1, 2026, names CJC-1295, without naming a form, among growth hormone releasing hormone analogues that are prohibited at all times.[7][1]

Is CJC-1295 FDA-approved?

CJC-1295, with or without DAC, is not an FDA-approved drug for any use, according to FDA's evaluation of CJC-1295-related bulk drug substances (memo dated November 15, 2024; checked October 14, 2026).

There is no FDA-approved CJC-1295 drug product for any use, according to FDA's evaluation of CJC-1295-related bulk drug substances (memo dated November 15, 2024). The evaluation covered forms with and without drug affinity complex (DAC), and FDA states that 'none of the substances are a component of an FDA-approved drug.'

Compounded CJC-1295 is not FDA-approved. FDA states: 'Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. This means that FDA does not verify the safety, effectiveness or quality of compounded drugs before they are marketed.' FDA's page 'Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks' (FDA page content current as of April 22, 2026) lists CJC-1295 under the heading 'Bulk drug substances nominated but withdrawn'.

FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted on December 4, 2024 on whether to place each of five CJC-1295 substances on FDA's list of bulk drug substances that can be used in compounding under section 503A. FDA's final summary minutes record 0 yes and 13 no for CJC-1295 (free base), and 1 yes and 12 no for CJC-1295 acetate, the two forms without drug affinity complex (DAC). For each of the three forms with DAC (free base, acetate and trifluoroacetate), the minutes record 0 yes and 13 no. No member abstained on any of the five votes. An advisory committee vote is a recommendation to FDA, not an FDA decision. In its briefing document for the meeting, FDA said it 'will not issue a final determination on the issues at hand until input from the advisory committee process has been considered and all reviews have been finalized.' FDA added: 'The final determination may be affected by issues not discussed at the advisory committee meeting.'

Regulatory status checked October 14, 2026. Sources: www.fda.gov/…/download; www.fda.gov/…/download; www.fda.gov/…/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks; www.fda.gov/…/download; www.fda.gov/…/download; www.fda.gov/…/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers

Risks and side effects

In summarizing the 2006 papers, FDA's 2024 memo says injection site reactions were the most commonly reported side effect in healthy adults given CJC-1295, which it reads as the form with DAC.[1] FDA's 2024 memo also lists headache, diarrhea, flushing with a feeling of warmth and a brief drop in blood pressure, nausea or abdominal pain, and a rise in heart rate in those healthy adults.[1] FDA notes that the studies were small and short, that most participants received a single dose, and that long-term safety in humans is unknown.[1] We could not read the full papers.

In its evaluation of CJC-1295-related bulk drug substances (memo dated November 15, 2024), FDA wrote that 'serious adverse events were not reported in the available clinical studies' and that these studies 'were conducted in healthy adults, had small sample sizes, and were of short duration despite the substance being nominated to treat a chronic condition, all of which limits the interpretability of these data.' FDA also wrote: 'It is unclear which substance was used in these studies.' FDA adds: 'Although it appears that the active moiety may have been CJC-1295 DAC (free base), no salt was specified.' FDA continues: 'No clinical safety information on the other substances discussed in this memo (CJC-1295 (free base), CJC-1295 acetate, CJC-1295 DAC acetate, or CJC-1295 DAC TFA) were included in the nominations or found by FDA.' FDA's page 'Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks' (FDA page content current as of April 22, 2026) says: 'FDA has identified serious adverse events associated with CJC-1295 including increased heart rate and systemic vasodilatory reaction.'

On its page 'Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks' (FDA page content current as of April 22, 2026), FDA says that compounded drugs containing CJC-1295 'may pose risk for immunogenicity for certain routes of administration'. FDA adds: 'Available clinical data are limited.'

FDA page

FDA's 2024 memo notes that the labels of growth hormone products carry warnings that include an increased risk of tumors, glucose intolerance and diabetes, fluid retention and raised pressure inside the skull.[1] FDA wrote that it had not identified data to suggest that CJC-1295, in either form, would not present similar risks.[1] This is FDA's reasoning from related medicines and not a finding from a study of CJC-1295, in either form.

In its 2024 evaluation, FDA raises the concern that injected peptides such as CJC-1295, in either form, can trigger an immune response, and that impurities or clumping of the peptide could add to that risk.[1] The 2006 trial report stated that no significant antibody formation was detected in healthy adults who received the active drug, which FDA reads as CJC-1295 with DAC.[1] FDA gave three reasons for caution about that statement: the authors did not describe how sensitive or how validated their antibody test was, they said no significant antibody formation was detected without saying whether any formed, and most participants received a single dose, so data on long-term repeated exposure are lacking.[1]

FDA found each of the five CJC-1295 substances it reviewed in its 2024 evaluation, with and without DAC, to be not well characterized.[1] For the form with DAC, FDA reported that most of the certificates of analysis it found gave a purity result only.[1]

In July 2006 the company developing CJC-1295 with DAC reported the death of a participant in its phase 2 trial in people with HIV lipodystrophy, and on August 8, 2006 it reported the findings of its investigation.[8] According to the company, the participant had a heart attack about two hours after an eleventh weekly study dose and died about an hour later, and the attending physician's most likely explanation was coronary artery disease with no symptoms.[8] The company said it had terminated the trial.[8] FDA's 2024 evaluation says the data from that trial have not been published, and in our searches of PubMed, Europe PMC and Crossref on October 8, 2026 we found no published report of it.[1] One event in an unpublished trial cannot show whether the drug played a part.

Animal studies do not show what happens in people. In meeting abstracts from the developer, rats and dogs given CJC-1295 with DAC for up to 14 days had bleeding, inflammation and tissue damage at injection sites, and the authors concluded the drug was well tolerated at the doses tested.[9] The abstract of the dog study also reports vomiting and decreased activity at higher doses, and lower hemoglobin and red blood cell mass with no clear dose-response pattern, which it says makes the toxicological significance of the finding unclear. It also reports mild increases in cholesterol that it calls "suggestive of possible altered lipid metabolism".[9] FDA's 2024 memo reads the same findings as raising safety concerns.[1] In a 2020 study, mice given CJC-1295 for 8 weeks had heavier pituitary glands and signs of DNA damage in pituitary cells, and the authors observed no side effects in the animals; the paper does not state which form was used, and FDA's 2024 memo calls it "an unspecified form of CJC-1295 DAC".[10] FDA says it found no two-year cancer study in animals of CJC-1295, in either form.[1]

If you are thinking about using CJC-1295, talk to a licensed clinician first.

If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care. Report side effects to FDA MedWatch.

Related pages

• What Does FDA-Approved Mean?
• Compounded Medications Explained