CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Side Effects and Benefits

Update History ▾

October 27, 2026: Initial publication, built from the primary CJC-1295 and ipamorelin papers, FDA’s Category 2 page, the December 2024 advisory committee minutes, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WADA 2027 List.
Research-use-only framing applied throughout in line with Remy editorial standards.

TL;DR — Research Summary

CJC-1295 ipamorelin side effects have never been studied as a pair: no clinical trial has tested the combination. What exists is separate human data on each peptide, and those data are small. CJC-1295 with DAC raised growth hormone and IGF-1 for days in healthy adults with no serious adverse reactions reported,^[1] while FDA says it has identified serious adverse events with CJC-1295, including increased heart rate and a systemic vasodilatory reaction.^[2] Ipamorelin’s only published efficacy trial, after bowel surgery, found no benefit over placebo.^[3]

The benefits attributed to the blend, such as muscle growth, fat loss, better sleep quality or anti aging effects, have not been measured in any CJC-1295 or ipamorelin trial. Neither peptide is an approved medicine, both are prohibited in sport, and Remy Research supplies them for in-vitro laboratory research only.

Compliance note: this page is a research review, not a treatment guide. It does not provide human-use dosing, therapeutic recommendations, or any clinical-use instructions, and should be read in the same non-therapeutic frame required across Remy's research content.

What Is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin?

The pairing combines two peptides that raise growth hormone through different receptors. CJC-1295 is a growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analog: a modified version of human growth hormone releasing factor GRF(1-29) with four amino acid substitutions and an added reactive lysine group that binds to albumin in the bloodstream. That albumin link, the drug affinity complex (DAC), protects it from enzyme breakdown and extended its plasma half life in rats.^[4] Products labelled “CJC-1295 no DAC” lack the albumin-binding group; the human studies described below used the DAC form.^[1]^[5]

Ipamorelin is a five-amino-acid growth hormone secretagogue (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2). It acts at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, the receptor whose natural ligand is ghrelin, the stomach hormone that also signals hunger.^[6]^[7]

How the Pair Acts on Growth Hormone Release

GHRH and ghrelin are two separate inputs to the pituitary gland. In six healthy young men, giving natural ghrelin together with GHRH released more growth hormone than either alone, a synergistic effect.^[8] That physiology study, using the natural hormones, is the scientific rationale for pairing a GHRH analog with a ghrelin-receptor agonist. It did not test CJC-1295 or ipamorelin.

Ipamorelin’s appeal in this pairing is selectivity. In swine it released growth hormone without raising ACTH or cortisol above GHRH-like levels, even at very high multiples of its effective amount, and without changing prolactin, FSH, LH or TSH; the older peptides GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 raised ACTH and cortisol in the same tests.^[6]

Potential Benefits of CJC-1295 Ipamorelin: What Was Reported

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — Claimed Benefits and the Evidence

Claimed benefit	What was reported	Evidence type
Higher growth hormone	CJC-1295 with DAC raised mean GH 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more	Human, healthy adults
Higher IGF-1	IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold for 9 to 11 days (CJC-1295 with DAC)	Human, healthy adults
Natural GH pulses	Pulse pattern preserved; trough GH up 7.5-fold	Human, healthy men
Selective GH release	Ipamorelin did not raise ACTH or cortisol	Animal (swine)
Combined effect	Ghrelin plus GHRH gave a synergistic GH rise	Human, natural hormones
Bone growth	Ipamorelin increased longitudinal bone growth	Animal (rats)
Muscle growth, fat loss	Not measured in any CJC-1295 or ipamorelin trial	None

Growth Hormone and IGF-1 in Healthy Adults

The best human data are two small CJC-1295 studies, both using the DAC form. In two randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials in healthy adults aged 21 to 61, one exposure to CJC-1295 raised mean growth hormone levels 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) 1.5- to 3-fold for 9 to 11 days; the estimated half life was 5.8 to 8.1 days, and with repeated exposure IGF-1 stayed above baseline for up to 28 days.^[1] A second study in healthy men aged 20 to 40 found that growth hormone secretion rose while its pulses kept their frequency and size: trough growth hormone rose 7.5-fold, mean levels 46% and IGF-1 45%.^[5] Serum from 11 of these men showed shifts in several blood proteins after CJC-1295, reported as possible markers of growth hormone action.^[9]

For ipamorelin, stimulating growth hormone release in healthy men produced a single growth hormone pulse that peaked about 40 minutes after exposure began, with a terminal half life of about 2 hours, far shorter than the half life of CJC-1295 with DAC.^[10]

Muscle Mass, Fat Loss and Anti Aging Claims

No CJC-1295 or ipamorelin trial has measured muscle mass, muscle strength, body composition, fat loss, weight loss, sleep quality, energy, cognitive function, athletic performance or skin elasticity, so whether the pair can improve sleep quality or promote muscle growth in the human body is untested. The one CJC-1295 trial with a body-fat endpoint, a Phase 2 study in HIV-associated visceral obesity, was terminated in 2006 and posted no results.^[11] Claims that CJC-1295 ipamorelin peptide therapy builds lean muscle or reduces belly fat therefore extrapolate from raised growth hormone and IGF-1, not from measured outcomes. In rats, ipamorelin increased longitudinal bone growth.^[12]

Human Evidence: Each Peptide Alone

ClinicalTrials.gov lists one CJC-1295 study, the terminated HIV trial, and two completed Phase 2 ipamorelin trials on recovery of gut function after abdominal surgery; the larger one (320 enrolled) never posted results.^[11]^[13] The published ipamorelin trial enrolled 117 patients after bowel resection, and time to first tolerated meal did not differ significantly from placebo.^[3] No registered or published trial has studied CJC-1295 and ipamorelin together.

CJC-1295 Ipamorelin Side Effects and Safety

Because the pair has not been tested together, the potential side effects of CJC-1295 ipamorelin have to be read from each peptide’s own record.

CJC-1295 in healthy adults. No serious adverse reactions were reported in the two ascending-exposure trials, and the authors described it as relatively well tolerated.^[1]
Serious events noted by FDA. FDA states it has identified serious adverse events associated with CJC-1295, including increased heart rate and a systemic vasodilatory reaction, and that available clinical data are limited.^[2]
Immunogenicity and impurities. FDA says both peptides may pose a risk of immune reactions for certain routes, and cites peptide-related impurities; ipamorelin also contains unnatural amino acids that complicate characterisation.^[2]
Ipamorelin in surgical patients. In patients recovering from bowel surgery, treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 87.5% on ipamorelin and 94.8% on placebo.^[3] FDA links that intravenous study to serious adverse events including death.^[2]
Long term safety. The CJC-1295 trials in healthy adults lasted 28 and 49 days, and no long term safety trial is registered for either peptide or for the pair.^[1]^[11]

For the side effects measured in a large placebo-controlled GHRH-analog programme, including injection site reactions, joint pain and glucose intolerance, see tesamorelin vs sermorelin.

Is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin FDA Approved?

Where both stand as of October 27, 2026.

FDA approval. No. Neither CJC-1295 nor ipamorelin is an approved drug, and neither has a Phase 3 trial on ClinicalTrials.gov.^[11]^[13]
FDA review. At its December 4, 2024 meeting, FDA’s Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted against placing CJC-1295 on the 503A bulks list: 0–13 for the free base, 1–12 for the acetate and 0–13 for each DAC form.^[14]
Compounding lists. FDA lists ipamorelin acetate in 503B Category 2 (added September 29, 2023); CJC-1295 appears among nominations that were withdrawn.^[2]
Sport. WADA’s 2027 List names CJC-1295 among GHRH analogues and ipamorelin among growth hormone secretagogues under S2.2.4, prohibited at all times for athletes.^[15]
UAE. Remy Research sells both for in-vitro laboratory research only, not for human or veterinary use.

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin vs Other GH Peptides

Tesamorelin is the only GHRH analog in this group with FDA approval and phase 3 data; see tesamorelin vs sermorelin. For ipamorelin on its own, including its gut-motility research and the negative surgical trial, see ipamorelin benefits and side effects. The structural differences between the DAC and no-DAC forms are covered in CJC-1295 vs ipamorelin, and all four GH-axis peptides are compared in the GHRH peptides comparison.

What the Research Does Not Yet Show

Any trial of the combination. Synergy has been shown only for natural ghrelin plus GHRH.^[8]
Human data on CJC-1295 without DAC. The published human studies used the DAC form.^[1]^[5]
Body composition outcomes. No trial has measured muscle, fat or performance.^[11]
Long term safety. Exposure in published studies lasted weeks, not months.^[1]

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin for Laboratory Research

Remy Research supplies CJC-1295 and ipamorelin for in-vitro research as the CJC-1295 (no DAC) + ipamorelin 10mg vial, the Genovare CJC-1295 + ipamorelin 50mg AQ pen, the Genovare CJC-1295 no DAC 25mg AQ pen and the Genovare ipamorelin 25mg AQ pen. Each product page carries its batch testing details. For the earlier research guide to the pairing, read the CJC-1295 + ipamorelin research guide.

Our Research Standards

This article prioritizes primary literature, trial registries and regulator records, and keeps human, animal and natural-hormone evidence apart. Where no trial exists, we say so directly. No therapeutic, dosing or administration guidance is given. Read our editorial policy →

Editorial Review

Remy Research Editorial Team

Editorial Board, Remy Research

The Remy Research Editorial Board reviews Remy's peptide research library, with a focus on analytical verification, clinical-trial interpretation, and compliance-safe scientific communication.

About the editorial team →

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin FAQ

What are the side effects of CJC-1295 + ipamorelin?

The pair has not been studied. CJC-1295 trials reported no serious adverse reactions in healthy adults, but FDA cites increased heart rate and a vasodilatory reaction; ipamorelin’s surgical trial and FDA’s safety concerns are covered above.^[1]^[2]^[3]

What are the benefits of CJC-1295 and ipamorelin?

In healthy adults, CJC-1295 with DAC raised growth hormone and IGF-1 for days; ipamorelin released a short growth hormone pulse. No trial has shown muscle, fat-loss or anti aging benefits.^[1]^[10]

Is CJC-1295 + ipamorelin FDA approved?

No. Neither peptide is approved, FDA advisers voted against CJC-1295 for the compounding list in 2024, and ipamorelin is in 503B Category 2.^[14]^[2]

Is CJC-1295 + ipamorelin safe?

Its safety is unknown. Human exposure in published studies was short, FDA lists serious adverse events for CJC-1295, and the combination has never been tested.^[1]^[2]

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

The DAC form carries a lysine group that binds albumin and has a half life of about 6 to 8 days in people. The no-DAC form lacks that group and has no published human trial.^[4]^[1]

Does CJC-1295 help with belly fat?

It has not been shown to. The only CJC-1295 trial with a visceral fat endpoint was terminated without posted results.^[11]

Why are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin combined?

They act on different receptors (GHRH and ghrelin), and natural GHRH plus ghrelin produced a synergistic growth hormone rise in healthy men.^[8]

Is CJC-1295 banned in sport?

Yes. WADA’s 2027 List names CJC-1295 and ipamorelin under S2.2.4, prohibited at all times.^[15]

Sources

Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. 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;91(3):799-805. doi: 10.1210/jc.2005-1536 · PMID: 16352683 ↩
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (Category 2, including “Bulk drug substances nominated but withdrawn”). Content current as of April 22, 2026. fda.gov ↩
Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD; Ipamorelin 201 Study Group. 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;29(12):1527-1534. doi: 10.1007/s00384-014-2030-8 · PMID: 25331030 ↩
Jetté L, Léger R, Thibaudeau K, et al. Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog. Endocrinology. 2005;146(7):3052-3058. doi: 10.1210/en.2004-1286 · PMID: 15817669 ↩
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;91(12):4792-4797. doi: 10.1210/jc.2006-1702 · PMID: 17018654 ↩
Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;139(5):552-561. doi: 10.1530/eje.0.1390552 · PMID: 9849822 ↩
Kojima M, Kangawa K. Ghrelin: structure and function. Physiol Rev. 2005;85(2):495-522. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00012.2004 · PMID: 15788704 ↩
Arvat E, Maccario M, Di Vito L, et al. Endocrine activities of ghrelin, a natural growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), in humans: comparison and interactions with hexarelin, a nonnatural peptidyl GHS, and GH-releasing hormone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(3):1169-1174. doi: 10.1210/jcem.86.3.7314 · PMID: 11238504 ↩
Sackmann-Sala L, Ding J, Frohman LA, Kopchick JJ. 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;19(6):471-477. doi: 10.1016/j.ghir.2009.03.001 · PMID: 19386527 ↩
Gobburu JV, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Pharm Res. 1999;16(9):1412-1416. doi: 10.1023/a:1018955126402 · PMID: 10496658 ↩
ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Studies with CJC-1295 as intervention: 1 registered, NCT00267527 (ConjuChem; Phase 2 in HIV-associated visceral obesity; status terminated, last updated October 2006; no results posted). Queried October 27, 2026. clinicaltrials.gov ↩
Johansen PB, Nowak J, Skjaerbaek C, Flyvbjerg A, Andreassen TT. Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats. Growth Horm IGF Res. 1999;9(2):106-113. doi: 10.1054/ghir.1999.9998 · PMID: 10373343 ↩
ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Ipamorelin studies: NCT00672074 (Phase 2, 117 enrolled, completed) and NCT01280344 (Phase 2, Helsinn, 320 enrolled, completed 2014; no results posted). Queried October 27, 2026. clinicaltrials.gov ↩
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Final Summary Minutes of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee Meeting, December 4, 2024 (approved February 21, 2025): votes on CJC-1295 and CJC-1295 DAC bulk drug substances. fda.gov/media/185642 ↩
World Anti-Doping Agency. 2027 Prohibited List (in force January 1, 2027), S2.2.4 Growth hormone releasing factors: GHRH and its analogues (e.g. CJC-1293, CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin); growth hormone secretagogues (e.g. ipamorelin); prohibited at all times. wada-ama.org ↩

For catalog details, see the CJC-1295 (no DAC) + ipamorelin 10mg vial, the Genovare CJC-1295 + ipamorelin 50mg AQ pen, the Genovare CJC-1295 no DAC 25mg AQ pen and the Genovare ipamorelin 25mg AQ pen. For editorial standards, continue to the editorial policy.