CJC-1295 DAC 5mg is a lyophilized research peptide vial. Learn how it differs from CJC-1295 without DAC, how it is reconstituted, and how it is stored.
CJC-1295 DAC 5mg is a lyophilized research peptide vial that holds 5 milligrams of CJC-1295, a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog carrying a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that stretches its half-life to roughly 6 to 8 days. The "5mg" on the label describes how much peptide powder is inside the vial, not a recommended human dose. CJC-1295 is not FDA-approved for human use in the United States and is sold strictly for laboratory research.
What "DAC" Means in a CJC-1295 DAC 5mg Vial
CJC-1295 is a synthetic 30-amino-acid analog of GHRH. The DAC is a maleimide group that forms a covalent bond with serum albumin after administration, and that bond shields the peptide from the enzymes that normally break down GHRH within minutes.
Because of albumin binding, a cjc 1295 dac 5mg vial behaves very differently from short-acting GHRH peptides. Researchers typically observe a sustained rise in growth hormone and IGF-1 instead of the brief, pulse-like release the body produces naturally.
CJC-1295 with DAC stays active in circulation for about 6 to 8 days after a single administration.
CJC-1295 With DAC vs CJC-1295 Without DAC
The two versions share the same GHRH backbone but differ in almost every practical way. The table below summarizes the differences researchers care about most.
| Feature | CJC-1295 with DAC | CJC-1295 without DAC |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | About 6–8 days | About 30 minutes |
| Albumin binding | Yes (DAC modification) | No |
| Growth hormone pattern | Sustained elevation | Short, pulse-like release |
| Study frequency | Once weekly or less | Once or twice daily |
| Common vial sizes | 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg | 5 mg, 10 mg |
| Typical pairing | Studied alone in most trials | Often paired with a GHRP such as ipamorelin |
CJC-1295 without DAC is cleared from the body within about 30 minutes, so it is studied with daily or multiple-daily administration.
The duration of IGF-1 elevation is another dividing line. In published pharmacokinetic work, IGF-1 stayed elevated for roughly 9 to 11 days after a single DAC dose, while the response to the non-DAC version fades within hours.
How to Reconstitute a 5mg Vial
Reconstitution means adding a sterile diluent to the lyophilized powder so the peptide can be measured with a syringe. Most supplier inserts include cjc-1295 dac 5mg mixing instructions, and the basic steps are the same across brands.
- Let the vial and the diluent sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Swab both stoppers with an alcohol pad and let them air dry.
- Draw the diluent and inject it slowly against the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder.
- Swirl the vial gently until the powder dissolves completely. Do not shake it.
- Inspect the solution for particles or cloudiness before drawing.
Bacteriostatic water is the usual choice because its benzyl alcohol slows bacterial growth in a multi-dose vial. Sterile water also works, but the reconstituted solution is normally discarded sooner.
| Diluent added | Concentration | Peptide per 1 unit (0.01 mL) on a U-100 syringe |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg |
| 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 25 mcg |
| 3 mL | About 1.67 mg/mL | About 16.7 mcg |
| 5 mL | 1 mg/mL | 10 mcg |
Dosing Discussed in Published Research
Available cjc-1295 with dac dosage information comes from early clinical studies, not from any approved human-use guideline. In the most-cited pharmacokinetic trial, healthy adults received single subcutaneous doses of 30 or 60 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.
In that trial, growth hormone remained elevated for up to six days and IGF-1 for roughly nine to eleven days after one injection. A later multiple-dose phase used repeated doses of 30 mcg/kg spaced several days apart and reported similarly sustained IGF-1 responses.
Published CJC-1295 with DAC research doses are expressed in micrograms per kilogram of body weight, not as fixed microgram amounts.
Dosing for the version without DAC follows the opposite logic, with much smaller and more frequent amounts because the peptide never binds albumin. None of this information is medical advice, and self-administering research peptides carries genuine risk.
CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin Research Stacks
Many suppliers sell cjc-1295 without dac 5mg ipamorelin 5mg as a paired kit, since the two peptides are frequently studied together. Ipamorelin is a selective ghrelin receptor agonist that triggers growth hormone release with little effect on cortisol or prolactin in early research.
Forum threads such as cjc 1295 no dac ipamorelin reddit contain abundant anecdotal reports about this combination, but anecdote is not evidence.
The CJC-1295 and ipamorelin combination is widely discussed online, yet published controlled human trials of the pairing remain limited.
Storage, Stability, and Safety Notes
Lyophilized powder is normally stored at -20°C and kept away from light, where it remains stable for months to years. A reconstituted vial is usually kept at 2–8°C and used within about two to four weeks, depending on the diluent and handling.
Repeated freeze-thaw cycles degrade peptides, so researchers typically divide a large vial into single-use aliquots rather than refreezing the whole thing.
Reported side effects in clinical studies included injection-site irritation, transient swelling, and flushing. Because CJC-1295 raises growth hormone and IGF-1, prolonged elevation of IGF-1 is a theoretical concern that researchers continue to investigate.
CJC-1295 is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency for athletes in competition and is not approved by the FDA for any human indication.
Anyone weighing peptide use should discuss it with a licensed healthcare professional. This article is informational and does not endorse human use of any research peptide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CJC-1295 DAC 5mg approved for human use in the United States?
No. CJC-1295 is not FDA-approved for any human indication, and 5mg vials are labeled and sold as research chemicals for laboratory use only. It is also prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency for athletes in competition. Anyone considering it should consult a licensed healthcare professional.
How do you reconstitute a CJC-1295 DAC 5mg vial?
Add bacteriostatic water slowly against the inside wall of the vial instead of directly onto the powder, then swirl gently until the powder dissolves. Do not shake the vial, because agitation can damage the peptide. Adding 2 mL of diluent to a 5mg vial produces a 2.5 mg/mL solution.
How long does CJC-1295 with DAC stay in your system?
Published pharmacokinetic studies report a half-life of roughly 6 to 8 days because the DAC modification binds the peptide to serum albumin. Growth hormone levels stayed elevated for up to six days after a single dose in that research, and IGF-1 remained elevated for about nine to eleven days.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.