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CJC-1295 (with DAC) vs Tesamorelin: side-by-side comparison

GH Secretagogue

CJC-1295 DAC · CJC-1295 with DAC · DAC:GRF

A synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), developed by ConjuChem as a modified GRF(1-29)/sermorelin bearing a drug affinity complex (DAC). The DAC: a maleimidopropionyl-lysine group added at the C-terminus, bonds to albumin in the bloodstream, protecting the peptide from degradation and stretching its half-life to an estimated 6-8 days. A single dose can raise GH and IGF-1 for days. This long action is the key contrast with CJC-1295 "no DAC" (Modified GRF 1-29), whose ~30-minute half-life preserves natural pulses.

4.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →
VS
GH Secretagogue

Egrifta

A GHRH analog FDA-approved for reducing visceral adipose tissue. Particularly effective at targeting stubborn abdominal and visceral fat.

4.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →

4 / 10 natty scale / 4

Same lane

Both sit in the same class, but they are pointed at different goals: CJC-1295 (with DAC) at recovery, performance, longevity, Tesamorelin at cutting.

The tape

Core ratings

The same three rulers every entry on the site is scored with, read head to head.

CJC-1295 (with DAC)Tesamorelin
4.0

Natty scale

1 natural · 10 heavy

4.0
3.5

Effectiveness

Documented effect · of 5Δ1

4.5
2.0

Side-effect severity

Documented burden · of 5Δ0.5

2.5

Cost side

Body-load fingerprint

Where each one actually lands its strain, on the calculator's thirteen channels. Tap a row for what it means and which labs track it.

CJC-1295 (with DAC)Tesamorelin

Cardiometabolic

Hormonal

Injection & site care

Bars show strain at each one's typical protocol, not your dose. ≈ marks values inferred from side-effect data or category rather than hand-graded. For your numbers, run the calculator.

Logistics

The vitals

CJC-1295 (with DAC)Tesamorelin
GH Secretagogue
Classmatch
GH Secretagogue
Subcutaneous
Routematch
Subcutaneous
500-3000 mcg/weekOnce weekly as a single shot, or split into two smaller injections per week (e.g. Mon/Thu) - the weekly TOTAL is what matters given the ~6-8 day half-life, not the injection count.
Typical dose
1.3-2 mg/dayOnce daily subcutaneous injection
~6-8 days
Half-life
8-11 minutes
8-12 weeks
Typical run
12-26 weeks
Research chemical
Legal status
Prescription only
ProhibitedS2. Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics
WADAmatch
ProhibitedS2. Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics

Benefit side

What each is for

Shared goals carry both dots; a goal with one dot belongs to that side alone.

CJC-1295 (with DAC)Tesamorelin
RecoveryPerformanceLongevityCutting

Run for

Sustained GH / IGF-1 ElevationThe albumin-bound DAC gives a days-long half-life, so a single injection raises GH and IGF-1 for an extended window rather than a short pulse (Teichman et al. 2006: GH 2-10 fold for 6+ days, IGF-1 1.5-3 fold for 9-11 days).
Convenience / Dosing FrequencyThe long half-life is the whole selling point versus no-DAC GHRH analogues: far fewer injections for a continuous effect.
Body Composition & RecoveryCommunity use targets the usual GH-axis goals (improved recovery, tissue repair and body composition) via elevated endogenous GH/IGF-1.

Documented upside

  • Very long half-life (~6-8 days) from a single injection
  • Sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation (Teichman 2006)
  • Stimulates endogenous GH rather than replacing it
  • Far fewer injections than no-DAC GHRH analogues
  • Does not suppress the testosterone axis - no PCT required

Run for

Visceral Fat ReductionSpecifically targets stubborn abdominal and visceral fat stores.
Body CompositionImproves overall body composition with focus on midsection.

Documented upside

  • Targeted visceral fat loss
  • FDA-approved with clinical data
  • Improved trunk fat distribution
  • Natural GH pattern preservation
  • Well-studied safety profile

The downsides

Side effects, aligned

Each entry's documented side effects, sorted onto the same body systems so the gaps and the overlaps are visible. Tap any effect for the detail.

CJC-1295 (with DAC)Tesamorelin
Blood pressure & water

None documented

Blood sugar

None documented

Injection site
Other documented effects

The exit

Hormonal fallout & recovery

What each does to your own hormone axis while on, and what leaving it costs.

CJC-1295 (with DAC)Tesamorelin
Not required
PCT
Not required
While-on only
What sticks
While-on only

CJC-1295 (with DAC)

Stimulates endogenous GH via the GHRH receptor; does not affect the HPT axis. No PCT required.

Tesamorelin

Does not suppress natural hormone production. No PCT required.

Read-out

How they separate

  1. 01

    Enhancement

    They land at almost the same point on the natty scale (4/10 vs 4/10): a similar distance beyond natural.

  2. 02

    Side-effect bill

    Tesamorelin's documented side-effect severity is heavier (2.5/5 vs 2/5). The body-load fingerprint above shows where that weight actually lands.

  3. 03

    Body load

    The widest gap at typical protocols is estrogen load (CJC-1295 (with DAC) 2.4/10 vs 0/10), then blood sugar (CJC-1295 (with DAC) 5.5/10 vs 4/10).

  4. 04

    Coming off

    Neither requires PCT: both leave the natural testosterone axis running.

  5. 05

    Logistics

    typical runs are 8-12 weeks vs 12-26 weeks.

  6. 06

    Tested athletes

    Both are WADA-prohibited: neither belongs anywhere near tested competition.

Generated from each entry's data file. Descriptive, not a recommendation; nothing here is medical advice.

Full breakdownCJC-1295 (with DAC)→Full breakdownTesamorelin→

More matchups

CJC-1295 (with DAC) vs MK-677CJC-1295 (with DAC) vs GHRP-2Tesamorelin vs MK-677Tesamorelin vs GHRP-2