The growth-hormone peptides, compared
All four make your own pituitary gland release more growth hormone instead of giving you growth hormone directly. They do it through two different "doors": CJC-1295, tesamorelin and sermorelin copy GHRH, while ipamorelin copies ghrelin. That's why CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are so often taken together.
Side by side
| CJC-1295 (No DAC) | Ipamorelin | Tesamorelin | Sermorelin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | GHRH analog (growth hormone-releasing hormone) | Growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin mimic) | GHRH analog (growth hormone-releasing hormone) | GHRH analog (growth hormone-releasing hormone) |
| Evidence | Mostly animal studies | Some human studies | FDA-approved | Some human studies |
| Typical dose | 100 µg per injection | 100–300 µg per injection | 2 mg | 30 µg per kg body weight (about 900 µg for a 30 kg child) |
| How often | 1 to 3 times a day | 1 to 3 times a day | Once a day | Once a day |
| Half-life | About 30 minutes (commonly reported; no published human study of the No DAC version). The DAC version lasts about 6–8 days. | About 2 hours (human IV study) | About 11 minutes for Egrifta WR (FDA label); its effect on IGF-1 lasts much longer with daily use | About 10–20 minutes |
| FDA | Not approved for any use. FDA has flagged CJC-1295 for safety concerns in its compounding reviews, and its compounding status has changed several times since 2023, so check current rules. | Not approved for any use. FDA flagged ipamorelin for safety concerns in compounding reviews in 2023; its compounding status has been under review since, so check current rules. | FDA-approved by prescription (Egrifta, first approved 2010; Egrifta SV 2 mg; Egrifta WR 1.28 mg approved March 2025) only for excess belly fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy. Any other use is off-label. | Once FDA-approved (Geref: pituitary test from 1990, children's growth hormone deficiency from 1997). Discontinued by the maker in 2008; approvals withdrawn in 2009. FDA ruled in 2013 that it was not withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons. Not currently approved; available by prescription from compounding pharmacies. |
| Sport (WADA) | Prohibited at all times (S2, growth hormone-releasing factors). CJC-1295 is named on the list. | Prohibited at all times (S2, growth hormone secretagogues). Ipamorelin is named on the list. | Prohibited at all times (S2, growth hormone-releasing factors). Tesamorelin is named on the list. | Prohibited at all times (S2, growth hormone-releasing factors). Sermorelin is named on the list. |
The differences that matter
Approval
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved (for belly fat in people with HIV). Sermorelin was approved once and later withdrawn. CJC-1295 and ipamorelin aren't approved.
Timing
Most people dose at bedtime on an empty stomach, because the body releases most growth hormone in deep sleep and food blunts it.
Watch
All of them can raise blood sugar and cause water retention. Getting IGF-1 and fasting glucose checked is the usual way to keep an eye on it.
Bottom line
Tesamorelin has the most human data. CJC-1295 + ipamorelin is the most popular combination, but it's backed mostly by small or older studies.
Full guides
CJC-1295 (No DAC)
GHRH analog (growth hormone-releasing hormone)A short-acting signal that tells your pituitary gland to release your own growth hormone.
Read the guide →Some human studiesIpamorelin
Growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin mimic)A peptide that copies the hunger hormone ghrelin to trigger a burst of growth hormone.
Read the guide →FDA-approvedTesamorelin
GHRH analog (growth hormone-releasing hormone)An FDA-approved shot that shrinks deep belly fat in people with HIV.
Read the guide →Some human studiesSermorelin
GHRH analog (growth hormone-releasing hormone)A copy of your brain's own signal to release growth hormone, once FDA-approved for kids.
Read the guide →