What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?

CJC-1295 with DAC includes a Drug Affinity Complex that binds to albumin in your blood, extending the half-life to 6-8 days. CJC-1295 without DAC (also called Mod GRF 1-29) has a half-life of about 30 minutes. The DAC version produces sustained GH elevation over days while the no-DAC version produces acute GH pulses. They require completely different dosing protocols — weekly for DAC, daily or multiple times daily for no-DAC.

Why is CJC-1295 combined with ipamorelin?

CJC-1295 (no-DAC version) works through the GHRH receptor while ipamorelin works through the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R). Stimulating both receptors simultaneously produces synergistic GH release — typically 2-3x greater than either peptide alone. This combination has become the most widely prescribed secretagogue protocol in anti-aging medicine because it maximizes GH pulse amplitude while preserving pulsatile release patterns.

Is CJC-1295 FDA-approved?

No. CJC-1295 (neither the DAC nor no-DAC version) has FDA approval. The DAC version entered clinical trials but the program was terminated after a participant death during Phase II trials. The no-DAC version (Mod GRF 1-29) has not undergone formal FDA clinical trials as a therapeutic candidate. CJC-1295 is classified as a research chemical and is available through compounding pharmacies by prescription.

What are the side effects of CJC-1295?

Common side effects include injection site reactions (10-20%), facial flushing (15-25%), mild headache (5-10%), and water retention (5-8%). More significant concerns include potential insulin resistance from GH elevation, joint pain if IGF-1 levels rise excessively, and theoretical cancer risk from sustained IGF-1 elevation. The DAC version carries additional concerns from the unresolved safety signal in its terminated clinical trial.

When should I inject CJC-1295?

The no-DAC version (Mod GRF 1-29) is typically injected at bedtime on an empty stomach — no food for at least 90 minutes before injection. This timing augments the natural nocturnal GH surge. The DAC version can be injected at any time due to its sustained release, typically once or twice weekly. Both versions work better in a fasted state because blood glucose and insulin suppress GH release.

How do I know if my CJC-1295 is the DAC or no-DAC version?

Ask your prescribing clinician or compounding pharmacy directly. If the label says 'CJC-1295' without specifying, it is most commonly the no-DAC version (Mod GRF 1-29), but you should not assume. Our testing data found 8% of samples labeled as DAC showed no DAC conjugation, meaning they were actually the no-DAC variant. Third-party testing can verify DAC presence through mass spectrometry analysis.

Is CJC-1295 better than sermorelin?

CJC-1295 no-DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) has better metabolic stability than sermorelin due to four amino acid substitutions that resist enzymatic degradation. It generally produces more consistent GH stimulation per injection. Sermorelin has a longer safety track record from its years as an FDA-approved drug. In current clinical practice, Mod GRF 1-29 has largely replaced sermorelin in secretagogue protocols.

Vendor Rankings

Independent rankings of peptide vendors based on aggregated lab data, COA transparency, community sentiment, and verified pricing. We publish everything — including the failures.

273+ samples tracked 118 vendors ranked 15 peptides tracked

All BPC-157 Tirzepatide Semaglutide CJC-1295 Ipamorelin GHK-Cu Retatrutide Tesamorelin

AGreat

B+Very Good

BGood

COkay

DPoor

EBad

FFraud

CJC-1295 Rankings

HUMAN TRIALS

273 samples across 118 vendors · Updated weekly from independent lab testing

#	Vendor	Avg score	Purity range	Tests	Verified $/mg	Grade	Profile
Grade C — Okay
1	Uther	5.2	—	6	—	C	review →
2	Zhejiang Yichenkang Biotechnology	5.2	—	6	—	C	review →
Grade D — Poor
3	Qing Li Peptide	4.8	—	19	—	D	review →
4	Shanghai OuDaXin New Material Technology Center	4.8	—	3	—	D	review →
5	SRY Labs	4.7	—	5	—	D	review →
6	HkRoids	4.6	—	5	—	D	review →
7	Nexaph	4.4	—	8	—	D	review →
8	HK Peptides	4.3	—	10	—	D	review →
9	Wuhan Wansheng Biotechnology	4.3	—	7	—	D	review →
10	ZLZ Peptide	4.2	—	5	—	D	review →
11	Peptide Gurus	4.0	—	6	—	D	review →
12	Polaris Peptides	4.0	—	4	—	D	review →
13	LiliPeptide	3.9	—	6	—	D	review →
14	Atomik Labz	3.9	—	5	—	D	review →
15	Qingdao Sigma Chemical QSC	3.9	—	4	—	D	review →
16	Pure Lyophilized Labs	3.9	—	3	—	D	review →
17	Forever Young Pharmacy	3.9	—	5	—	D	review →
18	Rhome Research	3.7	—	2	—	D	review →
19	NuLife Peptides	3.7	—	2	—	D	review →
20	Bulk Peptide Wholesale	3.7	—	2	—	D	review →
21	Pure Tested Peptides	3.6	—	2	—	D	review →
22	Peptide Crafters	3.5	—	5	—	D	review →
Grade E — Bad
23	NextechLabs	3.5	—	4	—	E	review →
24	Skye Peptides	3.3	—	7	—	E	review →
25	Paramount Peptides	3.2	—	9	—	E	review →
26	Coastal Peptides	3.2	—	5	—	E	review →
27	Reta-Peptide	3.1	—	9	—	E	review →
28	Astro Peptides	3.1	—	8	—	E	review →
29	Verified Peptides	2.9	—	5	—	E	review →
30	Shanghai Sigma Audley SSA	2.8	—	4	—	E	review →
31	PeptiLab Research	2.7	—	3	—	E	review →
32	Accelerate Labs	2.6	—	4	—	E	review →
33	Amino Amigos	2.5	—	7	—	E	review →
34	Tianjin Finder Chemical TFC	2.5	—	3	—	E	review →
35	Pharma Grade Peptides	2.5	—	2	—	E	review →
36	Liberty Peptides	2.4	—	4	—	E	review →
37	Prime Peptides	2.4	—	3	—	E	review →
38	Peptides 4 Research	2.3	—	4	—	E	review →
39	Peptides For Sale	2.2	—	4	—	E	review →
40	Amino Asylum	2.1	—	2	—	E	review →
41	Swiss Chems	2.1	—	3	—	E	review →
42	Simple Peptide	2.1	—	3	—	E	review →
Grade F — Fraud
43	Planet Peptide	2.0	—	4	—	F	review →
44	Nuscience Peptides	2.0	—	3	—	F	review →
45	Pure Rawz	1.9	—	4	—	F	review →
46	Oasis Peptides	1.9	—	3	—	F	review →
47	Suaway Lab Research	1.9	—	5	—	F	review →
48	Deuschem	1.8	—	4	—	F	review →
49	Loti Labs	1.7	—	5	—	F	review →
50	Alpha-Gen	1.7	—	5	—	F	review →

Verified $/mg = list price ÷ (avg tested qty / labeled qty). Vendors below the cutoff omitted from view.