CJC-1295 vs sermorelin
Both are short GHRH analogs built on the same 29 amino acids. Sermorelin was an approved drug; CJC-1295 without DAC has never been tested in a published human trial.
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- Preclinical1–3× daily (bedtime most common)
- Sermorelin
- Human studiesOnce nightly
- Head-to-head trials
- None published
The short answer
Sermorelin is GRF 1-29, the first 29 amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone. CJC-1295 without DAC, also called Mod GRF 1-29, is the same chain with four amino acids swapped to slow its breakdown. The name CJC-1295 is also used for the long-acting version with DAC, which is a different product.
Sermorelin was approved for children with growth hormone deficiency until 2008 and has published studies in children and older adults. No published human trial has tested CJC-1295 without DAC, and the 30-minute half-life usually quoted for it isn’t a published human measurement. Both are banned in sport.
At a glance
| Field | CJC-1295 (no DAC)Mod GRF 1-29 | SermorelinGRF 1-29, formerly Geref |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence | Preclinical | Human studies |
| Class | GHRH analog | GHRH analog |
| Approval | Not approved as a drug in the US or EU. | Formerly approved in the US as Geref (diagnostic, 1990; GH deficiency in children, 1997). Discontinued in 2008, not for safety or effectiveness reasons. |
| Sport (WADA 2026) | Banned in sport | Banned in sport |
| Common dose | 100 mcg, 1–3× daily | 200–300 mcg nightly |
| Frequency | 1–3× daily (bedtime most common) | Once nightly |
| Cycle | 12 weeks on, 4 off | No set cycle |
| Route | Subcutaneous injection | Subcutaneous injection |
| Half-life | – | about 6 to 7 minutes Label |
| Typical draw | 5 units5 mg with 2.5 mL, 100 mcg | 10 units5 mg with 2.5 mL, 200 mcg |
| Vial sizes or form | 5 mg | 5, 10 mg |
| Human studies | None found | 5 listedLargest: 110 people (1996) |
| Main cautions |
|
|
| Open CJC-1295 (no DAC) | Open Sermorelin |
Doses shown are what labels, trials or community reports reference, not recommendations. Each compound’s page has the full detail and sources.
Key differences
Sequence
Four positions differ: CJC-1295 without DAC has D-alanine at position 2, glutamine at 8, alanine at 15 and leucine at 27.
Human data
TrialSermorelin: studies in children with growth hormone deficiency and in older men. CJC-1295 without DAC: none. The version with DAC was studied in healthy adults in 2006.
Half-life
Sermorelin: about 6 to 7 minutes after IV injection (former label). CJC-1295 without DAC: about 30 minutes is commonly cited, but no human measurement has been published.
Typical use
CommunitySermorelin: 200–300 mcg nightly. CJC-1295 without DAC: 100 mcg, 1–3 times a day, usually with ipamorelin.
Status
Sermorelin was an FDA-approved drug until 2008. CJC-1295’s compounding nomination was withdrawn after FDA’s advisory committee voted 0 to 13 against it in December 2024. WADA’s S2.2.4 names both.
Head-to-head studies
Taking them together
CJC-1295 (no DAC) and sermorelin both act on the same receptor (the GHRH receptor), so they double up rather than add a different effect.
Source: Egrifta and Geref labels; WADA 2026 list, S2.2.4
CJC-1295 (no DAC) and sermorelin each raise growth hormone or IGF-1 activity. Tesamorelin’s label advises monitoring IGF-1 and lists fluid retention, joint pain and higher blood sugar as side effects.
Source: Egrifta prescribing information
Open them in the stack check for sport status and one combined tracking checklist.
Questions
What is the difference between CJC-1295 (no DAC) and sermorelin?
Sermorelin is GRF 1-29, the first 29 amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone. CJC-1295 without DAC, also called Mod GRF 1-29, is the same chain with four amino acids swapped to slow its breakdown. The name CJC-1295 is also used for the long-acting version with DAC, which is a different product.
Is CJC-1295 the same as sermorelin?
No, but they’re close. Both are the first 29 amino acids of GHRH; CJC-1295 without DAC has four of them swapped so it lasts longer in the blood. Sermorelin was an approved drug, and CJC-1295 never has been.
Can CJC-1295 (no DAC) and sermorelin be taken together?
The stack check flags two GHRH analogs and several growth hormone compounds. CJC-1295 (no DAC) and sermorelin both act on the same receptor (the GHRH receptor), so they double up rather than add a different effect. CJC-1295 (no DAC) and sermorelin each raise growth hormone or IGF-1 activity. Tesamorelin’s label advises monitoring IGF-1 and lists fluid retention, joint pain and higher blood sugar as side effects. No published study has tested them together.
Which has more evidence in people, CJC-1295 (no DAC) or sermorelin?
CJC-1295 (no DAC) isn’t approved anywhere and rests mainly on cell and animal studies; its page lists no published human studies. Sermorelin was approved in the US in the past; its page lists 5 key human studies. They haven’t been compared directly in a published trial.
Are CJC-1295 (no DAC) and sermorelin banned in sport?
CJC-1295 (no DAC) and sermorelin are banned at all times. This follows the WADA 2026 Prohibited List; athletes should confirm with their anti-doping organization.
Sources
- Federal Register: Geref not withdrawn for safety reasons (2013)
- Geref 50 SPC (Serono, HPRA Ireland, 2006)
- Thorner et al., sermorelin in children with GH deficiency (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996) PMID 8772599
- PubChem CID 56841945 (CJC-1295 without DAC) and CID 16132413 (sermorelin)
- FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, December 4, 2024 meeting minutes
Each compound’s page lists its full sources: CJC-1295 (no DAC), Sermorelin.