From the Guidelines
I strongly advise against the use of Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 due to the lack of FDA approval, insufficient safety data, and potential risks associated with their use, as evidenced by the absence of these peptides in the recent consensus guideline for the diagnosis and management of pituitary adenomas in childhood and adolescence 1.
The recent guideline published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology in 2024 focuses on the treatment of pituitary adenomas, including those causing GH excess, and recommends surgery as the first-line treatment, with pre-operative medical therapy considered in certain cases 1. The goals of therapy for GH excess include normalization of growth velocity, prevention of excessive height, and suppression of IGF1 into the normal range, which can be achieved through surgery, somatostatin analogues, and/or GH receptor antagonists, but not through the use of Ipamorelin/CJC-1295.
Some key points to consider when evaluating the safety and efficacy of Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 include:
- The potential risks associated with their use, such as injection site reactions, water retention, headaches, elevated blood glucose, and possible effects on existing or latent cancers
- The lack of large clinical trials to support their safety and efficacy
- The variability in quality and purity of these peptides, which are often sold as "research chemicals" rather than pharmaceutical-grade medications
- The availability of FDA-approved treatments for growth hormone deficiency, which can be prescribed by an endocrinologist after proper testing and evaluation.
In light of these considerations, it is essential to prioritize evidence-based treatments that have been proven to be safe and effective, rather than relying on unapproved and potentially risky compounds like Ipamorelin/CJC-1295. If you're interested in addressing growth hormone deficiency, it's crucial to consult with an endocrinologist who can properly test your hormone levels and prescribe FDA-approved treatments if medically necessary, as recommended in the recent guideline 1.
From the Research
Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 Review
- Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 are both growth hormone-releasing peptides that have been studied for their potential therapeutic effects 2, 3.
- CJC-1295 is a long-acting analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that has been shown to increase growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I secretion in healthy adults 2.
- Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that has been shown to induce longitudinal bone growth in rats and has a selective growth hormone secretagogue effect 3, 4.
Safety of Ipamorelin/CJC-1295
- CJC-1295 has been shown to be safe and relatively well tolerated in healthy adults, with no serious adverse reactions reported 2.
- Ipamorelin has been shown to be specific for growth hormone release, with no effect on other hormones such as FSH, LH, PRL, or TSH 4.
- However, CJC-1295 is considered a prohibited substance under Section S2 of the WADA Prohibited List due to its potential performance-enhancing effects 5.
Mechanism of Action
- CJC-1295 works by selectively and covalently binding to endogenous albumin after injection, thereby extending its half-life and duration of action 6.
- Ipamorelin stimulates growth hormone release via a GHRP-like receptor, similar to GHRP-6 4.
- The estimated half-life of CJC-1295 is 5.8-8.1 days, allowing for sustained increases in growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I levels 2.