CJC-1295 vs Tesamorelin
A neutral, side-by-side comparison of two performance & growth hormone peptides — their mechanisms, dosing ranges, administration routes, side effects, and research evidence. For research and educational purposes only.
CJC-1295
CJC-1295 is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog. It stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone and is almost universally used in combination with a GHRP like Ipamorelin to produce a more physiological GH pulse.
Full profileTesamorelin
Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Approved in 2010 as Egrifta, it is the only GHRH peptide with an approved clinical indication — reduction of excess visceral abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It has the most robust human trial evidence of any growth hormone secretagogue, including dedicated studies on visceral fat and liver fat.
Full profile| CJC-1295 | Tesamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Performance & Growth Hormone | Performance & Growth Hormone |
| Also known as | CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29), Modified GRF 1-29 | Egrifta, Egrifta SV, TH9507, GHRH analog |
| Evidence | Research-stage | FDA-approved |
| Dosing range | 100mcg–300mcg mcg, once daily (Mod GRF) or twice weekly (DAC version) | 1.28mg–2mg mg, once daily (subcutaneous) |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection (most common), Intramuscular injection | Subcutaneous injection (abdomen, with site rotation) |
| Key side effects | Water retention (especially early in protocol), Tingling or numbness in extremities, Injection site redness, Flushing (transient, shortly after injection) | Injection site reactions (erythema, pruritus), Peripheral edema, Arthralgia (joint pain), Myalgia |
| Cited sources | 2 references | 5 references |
Key differences
- Evidence level differs: CJC-1295 is research-stage, while Tesamorelin is fda-approved.
- Administration: CJC-1295 — Subcutaneous injection (most common), Intramuscular injection; Tesamorelin — Subcutaneous injection (abdomen, with site rotation).
- Dosing units differ: CJC-1295 is dosed in mcg, Tesamorelin in mg — they operate at different scales.
- Frequency: CJC-1295 is typically once daily (Mod GRF) or twice weekly (DAC version); Tesamorelin is once daily (subcutaneous).
- Research depth: this profile cites 2 sources for CJC-1295 vs 5 for Tesamorelin.
How each works
CJC-1295
Studies have demonstrated that CJC-1295 significantly increases plasma GH and IGF-1 levels. The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) version extends the half-life to approximately 6–8 days via albumin binding, while Mod GRF 1-29 has a much shorter half-life (~30 minutes) and is dosed more acutely. Research in adults with GH deficiency has shown improved body composition and metabolic markers.
Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin stimulates pulsatile growth hormone (GH) release from the pituitary, raising serum IGF-1 and preferentially reducing visceral adipose tissue (VAT). FDA-registration trials (Falutz et al., NEJM 2007; JAIDS 2010) showed ~15% VAT reduction versus placebo over 26 weeks. Later randomized trials (Stanley et al., JAMA 2014; Lancet HIV 2019) extended the evidence to liver fat, showing meaningful reductions in hepatic fat fraction and attenuated fibrosis progression in HIV-associated NAFLD.
This comparison aggregates public research and structured profile data for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not recommend either compound for human use. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before considering any peptide.