CJC-1295 (DAC)

Long-acting GHRH analog with a Drug Affinity Complex - weekly dosing, non-pulsatile release.

Human trialsSyntheticInjectableLong-acting

Key facts

Common routesSubcutaneous

Half-life6-8 days

Typical range1-2 mg/week

Summary

CJC-1295 (DAC) is a synthetic GHRH analog with a Drug Affinity Complex modification that covalently binds the peptide to serum albumin. Half-life jumps from minutes to 6-8 days, enabling once-weekly injection. The result is constantly elevated GH and IGF-1 - but as a continuous “bleed,” not as a natural pulse.

Important to understand: CJC-1295 (DAC) is pharmacologically different from Mod GRF 1-29 (“CJC-1295 without DAC”). Mod GRF preserves pulsatile GH release and is dosed multiple times per day with Ipamorelin; DAC overwrites that rhythm and trades frequency for duration. Both exist in the market and get confused constantly, including at the point of sale.

Mechanism notes

GHRH receptor agonism

Binds pituitary GHRH receptors and triggers growth hormone release. Standard GHRH action - the Drug Affinity Complex doesn't change the mechanism, only the kinetics.

Albumin binding (DAC)

The Drug Affinity Complex covalently attaches the peptide to serum albumin, shielding it from enzymatic degradation. Result: half-life > 6 days. The only pharmacokinetic difference from Mod GRF 1-29 - but it changes the physiology entirely.

Continuous (non-pulsatile) release

Because the albumin-bound peptide stays in circulation, you get a steady GH “bleed” rather than a pulse series. This reliably raises baseline IGF-1 but overwrites natural nighttime GH pulsatility - which is exactly why side-effect rates (water retention, insulin resistance) run higher than with Mod GRF.

Dosing patterns

Weekly protocol

1-2 mg subcutaneous once per week. Typically run 8-12 weeks, then cycle off to let the pituitary recover. Bloodwork at 4-6 weeks shows measurably elevated IGF-1 - in practice this is the simplest way to confirm the product is real.

Stacking and sourcing

Often paired with Ipamorelin or another GHS, though the long half-life makes timing less critical than with Mod GRF. The practical wrinkle: DAC is more expensive to manufacture than Mod GRF, so “bunk” (Mod GRF sold as DAC) is common in peptide markets. No water retention and no IGF-1 rise on bloodwork are the main tells.

Evidence snapshot

Pharmacokinetics are well established (Teichman 2006): a single dose sustains elevated GH AUC and IGF-1 over 6-8 days. Phase 2 clinical development by ConjuChem was halted after a patient death in an HIV-lipodystrophy study - direct causality is debated, but the signal stands.

Pharmacokinetics (Teichman 2006)

Phase 1 data shows massive, multi-day IGF-1 elevation from a single dose - the PK foundation of weekly dosing.

Development halted

ConjuChem stopped clinical development; long-term human data in large cohorts is missing. Community usage substantially exceeds anything ever tested in an RCT.

Safety considerations

Acute tolerability is fine, but the risk profile sits higher than Mod GRF or Ipamorelin. Water retention, carpal tunnel symptoms, joint pain, and reduced insulin sensitivity are the most common community complaints. Stopped development plus non-physiological kinetics justify a more defensive posture than with pulsatile alternatives.

Key cautions

Water retention and carpal tunnel symptoms are common - the non-pulsatile GH bleed is the mechanism
Continuous release overrides natural pulsatile GH rhythm - not interchangeable with Mod GRF 1-29
Limit to 8-12 week cycles with pituitary recovery; monitor fasting glucose for insulin resistance