Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295
Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 are both GHRH analogs investigated in growth hormone-axis research, but they have distinct half-lives and research profiles. Tesamorelin is the more clinically-characterized of the two; CJC-1295 has been studied primarily in research settings, particularly in the no-DAC variant. The two compounds are sometimes considered together when designing growth hormone research protocols.
| Property | Tesamorelin | CJC-1295 (no DAC) |
|---|---|---|
| Class | GHRH analog | GHRH analog (modified) |
| Receptor | GHRH receptor | GHRH receptor |
| Half-life (reported) | ~26 minutes | ~30 minutes |
| Primary research focus | Visceral fat, lipid markers | GH pulsatility studies |
| Modifications | Hexenoyl-trans-3 acid stabilization | 4 amino acid substitutions for stability |
About Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of GHRH (1-44) modified with a hexenoyl-trans-3 group on the N-terminus, which improves stability over native GHRH. Research has characterized it primarily for effects on visceral adipose tissue and circulating lipid markers in clinical research models. It has the most extensive clinical research history of the GHRH analogs.
About CJC-1295 (no DAC)
CJC-1295 without DAC is a tetrasubstituted GHRH analog, often referred to in research as Modified GRF (1-29). The amino acid substitutions improve stability against enzymatic degradation while preserving the short half-life of native GHRH. Research has characterized it for use in protocols studying natural pulsatile growth hormone release.
Which Should Researchers Choose?
The choice depends on the research focus:
- Visceral adipose tissue research -> Tesamorelin has the most published characterization.
- GH pulse-frequency research -> CJC-1295 no DAC is commonly used.
- Combined with a GHRP -> Either compound is often paired with Ipamorelin in research protocols.
Shop these compounds
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 in the same class?
Yes -- both are GHRH analogs acting on the same receptor.
What's the difference between CJC-1295 with and without DAC?
The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) version has a much longer half-life. See our separate comparison page on that topic.
Are these FDA approved?
Tesamorelin has clinical approval in some indications. CJC-1295 is an investigational research compound. Neither is approved for general human consumption outside of research.