CJC-1295 w/ DAC 20 mg — Quick Chart
Dosing & Reconstitution Overview
CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a long-acting analog of growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH). The figures below are compiled strictly for laboratory and educational reference — they describe how the compound was handled and dosed across the published research model, not a recommendation for use in humans or animals.
For a 20 mg vial, adding 2.0 mL of bacteriostatic water yields a concentration of 10 mg/mL (10,000 mcg/mL). At that concentration, every 0.10 mL drawn on a U-100 insulin syringe equals 10 units and delivers 1000 mcg of material, so a 500 mcg measurement is simply 0.05 mL, or 5 units — which keeps the arithmetic clean across every titration step.
Standard (Gradual) Titration Schedule
The gradual schedule mirrors the slow dose-escalation pattern used in the research model, where the twice-weekly amount was stepped up by roughly 250 mcg every two weeks to keep exposure measured and reproducible.
| Phase | Per-Injection Dose | Units (U-100) | Volume | Weekly Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 300 mcg | 3 units | 0.03 mL | 600 mcg |
| Weeks 3–4 | 500 mcg | 5 units | 0.05 mL | 1000 mcg |
| Weeks 5–6 | 750 mcg | 7.5 units | 0.075 mL | 1500 mcg |
| Weeks 7–12 | 1000 mcg | 10 units | 0.10 mL | 2000 mcg |
Reconstitution Steps
- Let the sealed lyophilized vial and the bacteriostatic water reach room temperature, then wipe both stoppers with an alcohol swab to limit condensation uptake.
- Draw 2.0 mL of bacteriostatic water and inject it slowly down the inside wall of the vial — never directly onto the powder pellet, and avoid foaming.
- Swirl or roll the vial gently until fully dissolved. Do not shake; aggressive agitation can shear the peptide.
- The solution should be clear and colourless. Label the vial with the concentration (10 mg/mL) and the reconstitution date.
- Store upright under refrigeration (2–8 °C), protected from light, and draw each subsequent volume with a fresh sterile syringe.
Advanced (Aggressive) Titration Schedule
The advanced schedule reaches the top of the researched range more quickly, holding the 1000 mcg twice-weekly ceiling for the bulk of the run rather than ramping over six weeks. It does not exceed the published per-injection band.
| Phase | Per-Injection Dose | Units (U-100) | Volume | Weekly Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 500 mcg | 5 units | 0.05 mL | 1000 mcg |
| Weeks 3–4 | 750 mcg | 7.5 units | 0.075 mL | 1500 mcg |
| Weeks 5–16 | 1000 mcg | 10 units | 0.10 mL | 2000 mcg |
1000 mcg twice weekly (2000 mcg/week) represents the upper end of the per-injection band described in the research model. The DAC moiety extends the circulating half-life to roughly 6–8 days, so twice-weekly cadence already maintains continuous exposure without higher per-dose amounts.
Supplies Needed
- CJC-1295 w/ DAC vials (20 mg): roughly 1 vial covers an 8-week run at the standard schedule; 1–2 vials for a 12-week run; ~2 vials for a 16-week aggressive run (one 20 mg vial supplies about 20,000 mcg).
- Insulin syringes (U-100, 1 mL): 16 for an 8-week schedule, 24 for 12 weeks, 32 for 16 weeks — one fresh syringe per twice-weekly draw.
- Bacteriostatic water (10 mL): a single bottle comfortably reconstitutes several 20 mg vials at 2 mL each.
- Alcohol swabs: a single 100-count box covers an 8–16 week schedule.
Protocol Overview
- Research goal: model sustained elevation of growth hormone and IGF-1 via long-acting GHRH-receptor agonism.
- Schedule: twice-weekly subcutaneous administration spaced 3–4 days apart in the published model.
- Dose band: 300–1000 mcg per injection (600–2000 mcg weekly).
- Fill: 20 mg lyophilized, reconstituted to 10 mg/mL with 2 mL diluent.
- Storage: −20 °C dry; 2–8 °C once reconstituted.
Dosing Protocol Notes
- Begin at the 300 mcg per-injection step and raise the amount by roughly 250 mcg every two weeks until the target is reached.
- Maintain a fixed twice-weekly cadence, spaced 3–4 days apart, ideally at a consistent time of day for steady exposure modelling.
- Because the DAC modification provides sustained release, more frequent dosing is unnecessary — the twice-weekly rhythm sustains the curve.
- Run lengths in the model span 8–12 weeks, with optional extension to 16 weeks.
- Rotate sampling/injection sites and document each dose, site and time for reproducibility.
Storage Instructions
Keep sealed lyophilized vials at −20 °C (−4 °F), in dry, dark conditions, where stability extends for many months. Once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and use within about 2–4 weeks. Allow refrigerated solution to warm slightly before drawing, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and protect from light throughout.
Important Handling Notes
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.
- Use a sterile syringe for every draw and never re-enter the vial with a used needle.
- Avoid freeze-thaw cycles on reconstituted material; keep it refrigerated and shielded from light.
- Document each draw — date, volume, remaining material — for reproducibility.
How CJC-1295 w/ DAC Works
CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic analog of growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH). It binds GHRH receptors on the somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary and drives growth hormone (GH) release. The DAC component — an albumin-binding moiety — lets the molecule covalently attach to circulating serum albumin, so it persists for days rather than the minutes that native GHRH lasts, extending the effective half-life to approximately 6–8 days. The resulting GH elevation stimulates hepatic IGF-1 production, and IGF-1 in turn mediates many downstream growth and metabolic effects through JAK/STAT signalling. Notably, the underlying pulsatile pattern of GH secretion is preserved even under continuous CJC-1295 stimulation, so the physiological rhythm of release is maintained.
Reported Benefits & Side Effects
Benefits observed in research
- Sustained, dose-dependent elevation of GH and IGF-1 across the dosing interval.
- Associations with increased lean body mass, reduced fat mass and improved body-composition markers.
- Enhanced protein-synthesis and recovery signalling through anabolic pathways.
- Generally well tolerated in the available clinical literature.
Side effects reported
- Occasional mild injection-site reactions such as redness or swelling.
- Transient flushing, headache or water retention reported by some during early titration.
- Effects were generally mild and tended to settle as exposure stabilised.
Supporting Lifestyle Factors (Research Context)
- Protein-forward, micronutrient-dense nutrition as a standard study control.
- Combined resistance and aerobic activity to support lean-mass outcomes.
- Adequate sleep — when most endogenous GH is released — alongside hydration and stress management.
Injection Technique (Reference Only)
- Clean the vial stopper and the site with alcohol swabs and let both dry.
- Pinch a skinfold and insert subcutaneously at a 45–90° angle depending on needle length; aspiration is not required for subcutaneous work.
- Inject slowly and steadily, then wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
- Rotate sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms), do not rub or massage afterward, and dispose of sharps in an approved container.
References
- Teichman SL, et al. Prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-1 secretion by CJC-1295 in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab (2006). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16352683
- Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile GH secretion persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295. J Clin Endocrinol Metab (2006). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17018654
- Alba M, et al. Once-daily CJC-1295 normalizes growth in the GHRH-knockout mouse. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab (2006). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16822960
- Brinkman JE, et al. Physiology, Growth Hormone. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482141
- Ayuk J, Sheppard MC. Growth hormone and its disorders. Postgrad Med J (2006). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16461469