Comparison
CJC-1295 vs ipamorelin: what are they, and why is neither approved?
Neither CJC-1295 nor ipamorelin is approved for human use in the US, and neither can be lawfully compounded. CJC-1295 is a long-acting version of growth-hormone-releasing hormone; ipamorelin mimics ghrelin. Both raise growth hormone, which is why they are sold together online, but FDA notes limited clinical data and no trials show the benefits marketed.
How do CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin compare?
| Attribute | CJC-1295 | Ipamorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory status | Research only · Not for human use | Research only · Not for human use |
| Human evidence | Animal & lab studies only | Animal & lab studies only |
| Comes as | Injection (unapproved) | Injection (unapproved) |
| How you get it | Not lawfully available for personal use. DiscoverMedica links to no seller. | Not lawfully available for personal use. DiscoverMedica links to no seller. |
| How it worksProlonged GH and IGF-I stimulation by CJC-1295 in healthy adults (JCEM 2006)Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue (Eur J Endocrinol 1998) | A long-acting analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone | A ghrelin mimic (growth hormone secretagogue) |
| Human dataProlonged GH and IGF-I stimulation by CJC-1295 in healthy adults (JCEM 2006)Int J Colorectal Dis 2014 | A 2006 study in healthy adults: growth hormone rose 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more after one injection | A phase 2 trial after bowel surgery found no significant benefit |
| FDA safety flagsFDA | Increased heart rate and systemic vasodilation | Possible immune reactions from aggregation or impurities |
| Tested sportWADA 2026 Prohibited List (Dutch Treaty Series, Trb. 2026, 25) | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Key risksFDA | Not made to drug standards, so identity, purity and sterility are unverified. FDA’s review notes increased heart rate and systemic vasodilation, which can mean flushing and low blood pressure. | Not made to drug standards. FDA cites a risk of immune reactions from aggregation or peptide-related impurities. |
| Listed prices | No lawful seller, so no price is listed. | No lawful seller, so no price is listed. |
Status, evidence, formats, routes and prices come from each compound’s page. Prices are the providers’ own listed starting prices, which may exclude a membership fee and change often; they are not DiscoverMedica’s prices.
How do CJC-1295 and ipamorelin work differently?
CJC-1295 copies growth-hormone-releasing hormone and was built to last: in a 2006 study of healthy adults, one injection raised growth hormone 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more, with an estimated half-life of about 6 to 8 days. Ipamorelin acts on the ghrelin receptor instead. Prolonged GH and IGF-I stimulation by CJC-1295 in healthy adults (JCEM 2006)
A 1998 study described ipamorelin as a selective secretagogue: in animals it raised growth hormone without raising ACTH or cortisol. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue (Eur J Endocrinol 1998)
Is there evidence that CJC-1295 or ipamorelin builds muscle or burns fat?
No good evidence. Ipamorelin’s published patient trial, in 114 people after bowel surgery, found no significant benefit over placebo, and the human data for CJC-1295 measure hormone levels, not body composition or health outcomes. Raising growth hormone is not the same as proving a benefit. Int J Colorectal Dis 2014
Why are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin not lawfully available?
Neither is FDA-approved, and neither is on the list of ingredients pharmacies may compound from. FDA lists ipamorelin among substances that may present significant safety risks for outsourcing facilities, and its review of CJC-1295 cites increased heart rate and systemic vasodilation, with limited clinical data. FDA
Neither was part of FDA’s July 2026 advisory committee review of peptides. McDermott Will & Schulte
FDA has sent warning letters to sellers of peptides labeled “research use only” that make human-use claims. FDA warning letter
Which might suit whom: CJC-1295 or Ipamorelin?
Neither is lawfully available for personal use, and DiscoverMedica links to no seller of either. If you are considering them, these are better questions to take to a clinician:
- Should my growth hormone or IGF-1 actually be tested?
- What proven approaches fit my muscle, fat loss or recovery goal?
- Given my heart, blood pressure and blood sugar history, what risks would an unapproved injectable carry for me?
- Is there a clinical trial I could join?
DiscoverMedica does not recommend one over the other. Only a licensed clinician who knows your history can decide.
Looking for a lawful option?
See every compound in fitness, strength & recovery with its US status, evidence and risks. Only a licensed clinician who knows your history can decide what fits.
CJC-1295 vs Ipamorelin: questions, answered
Why are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin sold together?
Sellers market them as a pair because they raise growth hormone through two different receptors. We found no published trials of the combination, neither peptide is approved for human use, and products sold as research chemicals are not made to drug standards, so identity, purity and sterility are unverified.
Is CJC-1295 the same as sermorelin?
No, though both are based on growth-hormone-releasing hormone. Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid version that was once sold as Geref and is now prepared by compounding pharmacies. CJC-1295 is a modified, long-acting analog that was never approved and cannot be lawfully compounded.
Are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin banned in sport?
Yes. WADA’s 2026 Prohibited List names CJC-1295 among growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogues and ipamorelin among growth hormone secretagogues, and both classes are prohibited.
Can a telehealth clinic prescribe CJC-1295 or ipamorelin?
Not lawfully today. With no FDA approval and no place on the compounding list, a licensed clinic has no approved or lawfully compounded product to prescribe. If a site offers either, treat that as a warning sign.
Sources
- Prolonged GH and IGF-I stimulation by CJC-1295 in healthy adults (JCEM 2006)
- Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue (Eur J Endocrinol 1998)
- Ipamorelin for postoperative ileus after bowel resection: randomized phase 2 study (Int J Colorectal Dis 2014)
- FDA: Bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks (Category 2)
- McDermott Will & Schulte: PCAC backs majority of peptides in two-day public meeting (July 2026)
- FDA warning letter: Peptide Partners (Aug 24, 2026)
- WADA 2026 Prohibited List (Dutch Treaty Series, Trb. 2026, 25)
- Sermorelin: a review of its use in children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (BioDrugs 1999)
- PubChem: CJC-1295 (CID 91971820)
- PubChem: Ipamorelin (CID 9831659)
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Every source above was checked on or before that date. Educational information only, not medical advice; it does not replace a conversation with a licensed clinician. DiscoverMedica does not employ clinicians.