Side-by-Side Comparison

Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295

Dosing, half-life, mechanism, benefits, and safety — side by side.

Tesamorelin

FDA Approved

GHRH analog FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy

Half-Life

8-37 minutes

Route

Dose

2 mg Daily

5135.86 Da

Full Tesamorelin research guide →

CJC-1295

Research

Long-acting GHRH analog for sustained growth hormone elevation

Half-Life

~30 min (no DAC) / 6-8 days (DAC)

Route

Dose

100-300 mcg (no DAC) / 2 mg (DAC) 1-2x/day (no DAC) or 1-2x/week (DAC)

3647.19 Da

Full CJC-1295 research guide →

Quick Reference

	Tesamorelin	CJC-1295
Category	N/A	N/A
Route	SC	SC
Typical Dose	2 mg Daily	100-300 mcg (no DAC) / 2 mg (DAC) 1-2x/day (no DAC) or 1-2x/week (DAC)
Frequency	Daily	N/A
FDA Approved	Yes	No
WADA Status	Banned	Banned

⏱ Pharmacokinetics

	Tesamorelin	CJC-1295
Half-Life	8-37 minutes	~30 min (no DAC) / 6-8 days (DAC)
Research Status	FDA approved	Research compound - GHRH analog
CAS Number	218949-48-5	863288-34-0

Molecular

	Tesamorelin	CJC-1295
Molecular Weight	5135.86	3647.19
Molecular Formula	C221H364N72O67S	C165H269N47O46
Sequence Length	216 aa	18 aa
Mechanism	GHRH analogue that reduces visceral fat	GHRH analogue with extended half-life

Key Benefits

	Tesamorelin	CJC-1295
Benefits	Visceral fat reduction; Body composition improvement; FDA approved efficacy; Growth hormone stimulation; Metabolic benefits; HIV Lipodystrophy: 15-18% VAT reduction; improved triglycerides; NAFLD Prevention: Reduces liver fat, prevents fibrosis; Visceral fat reduction: -34 cm² vs +8 cm² placebo (p=0.005)	Fat loss support; Growth hormone boost; Lean muscle mass; Enhanced recovery; Improved sleep quality; Anti-aging effects; GH/IGF-1 Elevation: 2-10 fold GH increase for 6+ days; 45% IGF-1 increase; Extended Half-life: 5.8-8.1 days vs minutes for native GHRH

Safety & Warnings

	Tesamorelin	CJC-1295
Safety Note	FDA approved with established safety profile for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.	Research compound only. Limited human safety data available.
Side Effects	Arthralgia; Hyperglycemia; Injection site reactions; Arthralgia (joint pain); Headache; Peripheral edema; Transient glucose elevation (9 mg/dL increase at 2 weeks); Injection site reactions	Injection site reactions; WADA Prohibited; Severe/Fatal side effect; Flushing; Water retention; Joint pain; Hunger increase; Rare dizziness or prolactin rise
Athlete Warning	🛑 WADA BANNED - Prohibited in competitive sports as growth hormone releasing agent	🛑 WADA BANNED - Prohibited in competitive sports as growth hormone releasing agent

Which should you choose?

Tesamorelin has FDA-approved status while CJC-1295 remains a research compound — relevant if regulatory standing matters to you. CJC-1295 has a longer half-life (~~30 min (no DAC) / 6-8 days (DAC)) than Tesamorelin (~8-37 minutes), which can mean less frequent dosing.

Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295 — FAQ

Which has a longer half-life: Tesamorelin or CJC-1295?

Tesamorelin has a half-life of ~8-37 minutes while CJC-1295 has a half-life of ~~30 min (no DAC) / 6-8 days (DAC). A longer half-life generally means less frequent dosing and more stable levels.

Is Tesamorelin or CJC-1295 FDA approved?

Tesamorelin is FDA approved, while CJC-1295 is a research compound without FDA approval. Always research regulatory status in your jurisdiction.

Can I stack Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 together?

Whether Tesamorelin and CJC-1295 can be stacked depends on their mechanisms and receptor targets. Use the stack compatibility checker to analyze synergies and conflicts before combining any peptides.

Which is better: Tesamorelin or CJC-1295?

There is no universal "better" peptide — it depends on your goal. Tesamorelin is GHRH analogue that reduces visceral fat. CJC-1295 is GHRH analogue with extended half-life. Choose based on your primary goal and research profile.

Compare any two peptides Check stack compatibility

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