Data edition of
Residue An evidence-graded reference for peptide science

CJC-1295 vs ipamorelin

C CJC-1295 Long-acting GHRH receptor agonist Not FDA-approved · FDA compounding nomination withdrawn C Ipamorelin Ghrelin-receptor (GH-secretagogue receptor) agonist Not FDA-approved · FDA compounding Category 2 (503B)

Residue Editorial Team · updated

In brief

CJC-1295 is a long-acting GHRH analog: one injection raised growth hormone 2–10-fold for six days or more in healthy adults1PubMedProlonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. Teichman SL et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006.. Ipamorelin is a short pentapeptide acting at the ghrelin receptor2PubMedIpamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Raun K et al. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998.. Neither is FDA-approved; FDA records serious adverse events for CJC-1295 and lists ipamorelin in compounding Category 23FDACertain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks. U.S. FDA, content current as of 04/22/2026.. No trial has tested them together.

How do CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin compare at a glance?

Table 1. CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin on the dimensions that matter most; every entry is cited.
DimensionCJC-1295Ipamorelin
ReceptorGHRH receptor (long-acting analog)1GH-secretagogue (ghrelin) receptor2
Duration and dosingGH up ≥6 days; IGF-1 up 9–11 days after one dose1Dosed repeatedly by IV in rat and human ileus studies4PubMedEfficacy of ipamorelin, a novel ghrelin mimetic, in a rodent model of postoperative ileus. Venkova K et al. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2009.,5PubMedProspective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients. Beck DE et al. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014.
Half-life5.8–8.1 days1Not reported in the sources we cite
Human studiesTwo pharmacology studies in healthy adults (2006)1,6PubMedPulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. Ionescu M & Frohman LA J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006.One efficacy RCT (negative)5
FDAWithdrawn nomination; serious adverse events recorded3Category 2 for 503B3
Evidence gradeCC

Written by Residue Editorial Team

Reviewed by Residue Editorial Team · source-by-source check,

First published

Last updated

Registry data · How we grade · Markdown + sources

Figure 1. Size of the research record, from PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov at the data edition. Bars are scaled to the larger value in each row; volume is not quality.
PubMed records 35 51
Trial publications 2 2
Registered studies 1 3
Phase 3 studies 0 0

CJC-1295 Ipamorelin

How do they work differently?

CJC-1295 was designed to extend the action of GHRH. After a single subcutaneous injection in healthy adults, mean GH rose 2- to 10-fold for at least 6 days and IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold for 9–11 days; the estimated half-life was 5.8–8.1 days1. A follow-up study found GH pulsatility was preserved, but trough GH rose 7.5-fold, mean GH by 46% and IGF-1 by 45%6.

Ipamorelin acts at a different receptor. It released GH with potency similar to GHRP-6 in rats and swine and, in swine, without changing FSH, LH, prolactin or TSH2.

What does the human evidence show?

Neither compound has a published efficacy trial showing benefit. CJC-1295's human data are pharmacology studies in healthy adults1,6; a proteomics study looked for serum markers of GH action7PubMedActivation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjects. Sackmann-Sala L et al. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2009.. Ipamorelin's 114-patient post-operative ileus trial found no significant difference from placebo5.

Are they FDA-approved?

FDA lists CJC-1295 among withdrawn compounding nominations, noting serious adverse events including increased heart rate and systemic vasodilatory reaction and that available clinical data are limited. Ipamorelin acetate was placed in Category 2 for 503B outsourcing facilities on September 29, 20233. Neither is FDA-approved.

Two identical glass beakers, one holding pale amber liquid and one clear, standing either side of a brass balance

Why do they get these evidence grades?

C CJC-1295
Two small human pharmacology studies in healthy adults (2006); no published efficacy trial. FDA records serious adverse events. Grade C: Limited / early human data.
C Ipamorelin
One small randomized proof-of-concept trial (postoperative ileus) showed no significant benefit; the rest of the record is animal and pharmacology work. Grade C: Limited / early human data.

Questions readers ask

Are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin studied together?

Not in any published trial in the sources we fetched. Each has its own small human record1,5.

How long does CJC-1295 last?

In healthy adults, estimated half-life was 5.8–8.1 days; with repeated doses IGF-1 stayed above baseline for up to 28 days1.

What safety concerns has FDA raised?

For CJC-1295, FDA records serious adverse events including increased heart rate and systemic vasodilatory reaction. For ipamorelin, it cites immunogenicity risk and a reported death with intravenous use3.

Can you take CJC-1295 and ipamorelin together?

No published trial in the sources we fetched tested them together. Each has its own small human record1,5, and FDA has raised separate compounding-safety concerns for both3.

References

Every source below was retrieved from its official API or page and cached on the data-edition date. Numbers match the margin notes.

  1. 1 PubMed Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006. PMID 16352683; doi:10.1210/jc.2005-1536.
  2. 2 PubMed Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol 1998. PMID 9849822; doi:10.1530/eje.0.1390552.
  3. 3 FDA Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks. U.S. FDA, content current as of 04/22/2026.
  4. 4 PubMed Venkova K, Mann W, Nelson R, et al. Efficacy of ipamorelin, a novel ghrelin mimetic, in a rodent model of postoperative ileus. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2009. PMID 19289567; doi:10.1124/jpet.108.149211.
  5. 5 PubMed Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD, et al. Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients. Int J Colorectal Dis 2014. PMID 25331030; doi:10.1007/s00384-014-2030-8.
  6. 6 PubMed Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006. PMID 17018654; doi:10.1210/jc.2006-1702.
  7. 7 PubMed Sackmann-Sala L, Ding J, Frohman LA, et al. Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjects. Growth Horm IGF Res 2009. PMID 19386527; doi:10.1016/j.ghir.2009.03.001.