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AI comparison summary

Biggest differences across Tesamorelin · CJC-1295 · Ipamorelin

Focused on evidence grade, pharmacokinetics, and risks/interactions — with inline citations to the primary references on each peptide page.

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Tesamorelin

Grade AGrowth Hormone

Overview

Evidence grade: Grade A
Category: Growth Hormone
Primary focus: Visceral fat, growth hormone axis
Summary: The most rigorously evidenced peptide on this site, and the only one here approved by a major regulator. FDA-approved in 2010 as Egrifta for excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, on the back of phase 3 trials showing a 15-18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue against placebo. Everything outside that indication — the anti-ageing and body-composition uses it is sold for — is extrapolation from a population that is not you.

Mechanism

Mechanism of action: A synthetic analogue of the full 44-amino-acid human growth hormone releasing factor, with a hexenoyl group on the N-terminus that slows enzymatic degradation. It binds pituitary GHRH receptors to restore pulsatile growth hormone secretion, raising IGF-1 and shifting adipose metabolism preferentially against visceral rather than subcutaneous fat.
Evidence explainer: Grade A — supported by multiple randomised human trials or an approved regulatory indication. Mechanism, dosing and safety are well characterised in humans.

Pharmacokinetics

Route: Subcutaneous injection
Half-life: ~26 minutes in plasma; the growth hormone rise it triggers persists 4-6 hours
PK notes: Tesamorelin is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~26 minutes in plasma; the growth hormone rise it triggers persists 4-6 hours. Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (Once daily) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. A synthetic analogue of the full 44-amino-acid human growth hormone releasing factor, with a hexenoyl group on the N-terminus that slows enzymatic degradation. It binds pituitary GHRH receptors to restore pulsatile growth hormone secretion, raising IGF-1 and shifting adipose metabolism preferentially against visceral rather than subcutaneous fat.

Administration

Typical dose: 2 mg (1.28 mg for the newer F8/WR formulation)
Frequency: Once daily
Cycle length: 26 weeks in the pivotal trials; benefit reverses on stopping
Timing: Bedtime, to sit with the natural overnight GH pulse
Protocol steps: Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 2 mg (1.28 mg for the newer F8/WR formulation), Once daily.
Timing: Bedtime, to sit with the natural overnight GH pulse — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible.
Cycle length: 26 weeks in the pivotal trials; benefit reverses on stopping. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating.
Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.

Benefits

Reported benefits: 15-18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue versus placebo in phase 3 trials
Improved triglycerides and cholesterol alongside the fat loss
Raises IGF-1 without the supraphysiological spikes of exogenous growth hormone
Does not reduce subcutaneous fat, which is metabolically less harmful
Common stacks: Zone 2 cardio, Resistance training, Regular HbA1c and IGF-1 monitoring

Risks

Side effects: Injection site reactions, the commonest complaint in trials
Joint pain and peripheral oedema, both dose-related and GH-mediated
Raised blood glucose and reduced insulin sensitivity — monitor if prediabetic
Carpal tunnel symptoms at higher exposures
Contraindications: Active malignancy — growth hormone is mitogenic and IGF-1 is a growth signal
Pituitary disease, pituitary surgery or head irradiation
Pregnancy and lactation
Diabetic retinopathy
Interactions: Insulin and sulfonylureas — Tesamorelin worsens insulin sensitivity; glycaemic control may need adjusting.
Corticosteroids — Blunt the GH response and add their own metabolic burden.
GHRH analogues (CJC-1295) — Same receptor. Stacking adds risk, not effect.
Legal status: FDA-approved as Egrifta and Egrifta SV/WR for HIV-associated lipodystrophy only, and prescription-only. Use for body composition or anti-ageing is off-label. Material sold online as research-grade tesamorelin is not the approved product and carries no purity guarantee.

CJC-1295

Grade BGrowth Hormone

Overview

Evidence grade: Grade B
Category: Growth Hormone
Primary focus: Long-acting GHRH analogue
Summary: Used in research and off-label protocols to amplify endogenous growth hormone pulses. Often paired with a ghrelin mimetic like Ipamorelin for synergistic GH release.

Mechanism

Mechanism of action: Modified growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. With DAC (drug affinity complex), binds albumin to extend half-life, producing sustained pulsatile GH and IGF-1 elevation.
Evidence explainer: Grade B — supported by preclinical evidence plus at least one small human trial, pharmacokinetic study, or strong translational rationale. Human long-term safety is incomplete.

Pharmacokinetics

Route: Subcutaneous injection
Half-life: ~8 days (with DAC); ~30 min (without DAC)
PK notes: CJC-1295 is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~8 days (with DAC); ~30 min (without DAC). Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (Weekly) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. Modified growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. With DAC (drug affinity complex), binds albumin to extend half-life, producing sustained pulsatile GH and IGF-1 elevation.

Administration

Typical dose: 1–2 mg (with DAC)
Frequency: Weekly
Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles
Timing: Evening, fasted
Protocol steps: Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 1–2 mg (with DAC), Weekly.
Timing: Evening, fasted — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible.
Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating.
Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.

Benefits

Reported benefits: Sustained elevation of GH and IGF-1
Improved sleep depth (slow-wave sleep)
Reported body composition improvements
Common stacks: Ipamorelin, Resistance training, Adequate protein

Risks

Side effects: Water retention
Numbness/tingling
Elevated fasting glucose
Injection site reactions
Contraindications: Active malignancy
Diabetic retinopathy
Pregnancy
Interactions: Insulin — GH antagonizes insulin; monitor glucose.
Corticosteroids — Blunt GH response.
Legal status: Research chemical. Not approved for human therapeutic use.

Ipamorelin

Grade BGrowth Hormone

Overview

Evidence grade: Grade B
Category: Growth Hormone
Primary focus: Selective GH secretagogue
Summary: Frequently combined with CJC-1295 to mimic physiological GH pulsatility. Cleaner side-effect profile than GHRP-2/6.

Mechanism

Mechanism of action: Pentapeptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that selectively stimulates pituitary GH release without significant effects on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — unlike earlier secretagogues.
Evidence explainer: Grade B — supported by preclinical evidence plus at least one small human trial, pharmacokinetic study, or strong translational rationale. Human long-term safety is incomplete.

Pharmacokinetics

Route: Subcutaneous injection
Half-life: ~2 hours
PK notes: Ipamorelin is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~2 hours. Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (1–3× daily) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. Pentapeptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that selectively stimulates pituitary GH release without significant effects on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — unlike earlier secretagogues.

Administration

Typical dose: 200–300 mcg
Frequency: 1–3× daily
Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles
Timing: Pre-bed and/or pre-training, fasted
Protocol steps: Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 200–300 mcg, 1–3× daily.
Timing: Pre-bed and/or pre-training, fasted — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible.
Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating.
Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.

Benefits

Reported benefits: Selective GH pulse without cortisol elevation
Improved recovery and sleep quality
Minimal appetite stimulation
Common stacks: CJC-1295, Resistance training, Casein pre-bed

Risks

Side effects: Mild head rush
Transient flushing
Injection site reaction
Contraindications: Active malignancy
Pregnancy
Uncontrolled diabetes
Interactions: GHRH analogues (CJC-1295) — Synergistic GH release.
Somatostatin analogues — Antagonistic — avoid combination.
Legal status: Research chemical. Not approved for human therapeutic use.

Attribute	Tesamorelin Grade AGrowth Hormone	CJC-1295 Grade BGrowth Hormone	Ipamorelin Grade BGrowth Hormone
Overview
Evidence grade	Grade A	Grade B	Grade B
Category	Growth Hormone	Growth Hormone	Growth Hormone
Primary focus	Visceral fat, growth hormone axis	Long-acting GHRH analogue	Selective GH secretagogue
Summary	The most rigorously evidenced peptide on this site, and the only one here approved by a major regulator. FDA-approved in 2010 as Egrifta for excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, on the back of phase 3 trials showing a 15-18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue against placebo. Everything outside that indication — the anti-ageing and body-composition uses it is sold for — is extrapolation from a population that is not you.	Used in research and off-label protocols to amplify endogenous growth hormone pulses. Often paired with a ghrelin mimetic like Ipamorelin for synergistic GH release.	Frequently combined with CJC-1295 to mimic physiological GH pulsatility. Cleaner side-effect profile than GHRP-2/6.
Mechanism
Mechanism of action	A synthetic analogue of the full 44-amino-acid human growth hormone releasing factor, with a hexenoyl group on the N-terminus that slows enzymatic degradation. It binds pituitary GHRH receptors to restore pulsatile growth hormone secretion, raising IGF-1 and shifting adipose metabolism preferentially against visceral rather than subcutaneous fat.	Modified growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. With DAC (drug affinity complex), binds albumin to extend half-life, producing sustained pulsatile GH and IGF-1 elevation.	Pentapeptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that selectively stimulates pituitary GH release without significant effects on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — unlike earlier secretagogues.
Evidence explainer	Grade A — supported by multiple randomised human trials or an approved regulatory indication. Mechanism, dosing and safety are well characterised in humans.	Grade B — supported by preclinical evidence plus at least one small human trial, pharmacokinetic study, or strong translational rationale. Human long-term safety is incomplete.	Grade B — supported by preclinical evidence plus at least one small human trial, pharmacokinetic study, or strong translational rationale. Human long-term safety is incomplete.
Pharmacokinetics
Route	Subcutaneous injection	Subcutaneous injection	Subcutaneous injection
Half-life	~26 minutes in plasma; the growth hormone rise it triggers persists 4-6 hours	~8 days (with DAC); ~30 min (without DAC)	~2 hours
PK notes	Tesamorelin is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~26 minutes in plasma; the growth hormone rise it triggers persists 4-6 hours. Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (Once daily) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. A synthetic analogue of the full 44-amino-acid human growth hormone releasing factor, with a hexenoyl group on the N-terminus that slows enzymatic degradation. It binds pituitary GHRH receptors to restore pulsatile growth hormone secretion, raising IGF-1 and shifting adipose metabolism preferentially against visceral rather than subcutaneous fat.	CJC-1295 is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~8 days (with DAC); ~30 min (without DAC). Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (Weekly) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. Modified growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. With DAC (drug affinity complex), binds albumin to extend half-life, producing sustained pulsatile GH and IGF-1 elevation.	Ipamorelin is administered subcutaneous injection with an approximate systemic half-life of ~2 hours. Steady-state and tissue-level effects can outlast plasma concentration, which is why dosing frequency (1–3× daily) is designed to match receptor kinetics rather than plasma exposure. Pentapeptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that selectively stimulates pituitary GH release without significant effects on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — unlike earlier secretagogues.
Administration
Typical dose	2 mg (1.28 mg for the newer F8/WR formulation)	1–2 mg (with DAC)	200–300 mcg
Frequency	Once daily	Weekly	1–3× daily
Cycle length	26 weeks in the pivotal trials; benefit reverses on stopping	8–12 week cycles	8–12 week cycles
Timing	Bedtime, to sit with the natural overnight GH pulse	Evening, fasted	Pre-bed and/or pre-training, fasted
Protocol steps	Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 2 mg (1.28 mg for the newer F8/WR formulation), Once daily. Timing: Bedtime, to sit with the natural overnight GH pulse — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible. Cycle length: 26 weeks in the pivotal trials; benefit reverses on stopping. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating. Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.	Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 1–2 mg (with DAC), Weekly. Timing: Evening, fasted — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible. Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating. Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.	Route: Subcutaneous injection. Typical starting dose 200–300 mcg, 1–3× daily. Timing: Pre-bed and/or pre-training, fasted — keep it the same each dosing day to make effects legible. Cycle length: 8–12 week cycles. Reassess with bloods and symptom logs before repeating. Rotate sites across the abdomen (avoiding a 2 cm radius around the navel), outer thighs and flanks. Never inject through a bruise or mole.
Benefits
Reported benefits	15-18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue versus placebo in phase 3 trials Improved triglycerides and cholesterol alongside the fat loss Raises IGF-1 without the supraphysiological spikes of exogenous growth hormone Does not reduce subcutaneous fat, which is metabolically less harmful	Sustained elevation of GH and IGF-1 Improved sleep depth (slow-wave sleep) Reported body composition improvements	Selective GH pulse without cortisol elevation Improved recovery and sleep quality Minimal appetite stimulation
Common stacks	Zone 2 cardio, Resistance training, Regular HbA1c and IGF-1 monitoring	Ipamorelin, Resistance training, Adequate protein	CJC-1295, Resistance training, Casein pre-bed
Risks
Side effects	Injection site reactions, the commonest complaint in trials Joint pain and peripheral oedema, both dose-related and GH-mediated Raised blood glucose and reduced insulin sensitivity — monitor if prediabetic Carpal tunnel symptoms at higher exposures	Water retention Numbness/tingling Elevated fasting glucose Injection site reactions	Mild head rush Transient flushing Injection site reaction
Contraindications	Active malignancy — growth hormone is mitogenic and IGF-1 is a growth signal Pituitary disease, pituitary surgery or head irradiation Pregnancy and lactation Diabetic retinopathy	Active malignancy Diabetic retinopathy Pregnancy	Active malignancy Pregnancy Uncontrolled diabetes
Interactions	Insulin and sulfonylureas — Tesamorelin worsens insulin sensitivity; glycaemic control may need adjusting. Corticosteroids — Blunt the GH response and add their own metabolic burden. GHRH analogues (CJC-1295) — Same receptor. Stacking adds risk, not effect.	Insulin — GH antagonizes insulin; monitor glucose. Corticosteroids — Blunt GH response.	GHRH analogues (CJC-1295) — Synergistic GH release. Somatostatin analogues — Antagonistic — avoid combination.
Legal status	FDA-approved as Egrifta and Egrifta SV/WR for HIV-associated lipodystrophy only, and prescription-only. Use for body composition or anti-ageing is off-label. Material sold online as research-grade tesamorelin is not the approved product and carries no purity guarantee.	Research chemical. Not approved for human therapeutic use.	Research chemical. Not approved for human therapeutic use.

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