CJC-1295 vs Tesamorelin
Both are GHRH analogs that prompt the pituitary to release its own growth hormone. Only one is FDA-approved, and only for a narrow, specific indication.
CJC-1295
Sustained GH/IGF-1 rise shown in humans — a surrogate marker, not the body-composition outcome it is sold for.
Full CJC-1295 evidence reviewTesamorelin
Egrifta
FDA-approved specifically for HIV-associated visceral fat — not a general weight-loss drug.
Full Tesamorelin evidence reviewSide by side
| CJC-1295 | Tesamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| Marketed for | Muscle, recovery, 'anti-aging' | Visceral fat (often sold for 'fat loss') |
| Evidence grade | Clinical data | FDA-approved |
| Family | GH axis | GH axis |
| Regulatory status | Not FDA-approved | FDA-approved |
| How it's obtained | Research-only | Rx product |
| Key human source | Teichman, JCEM 2006 | Falutz, NEJM 2007 |
marks a row where the two differ. Evidence grades come from our evidence matrix, which grades each molecule on the human data for the use it is marketed for.
Our verdict
This is the sharpest evidence gap in the GH-axis category. Tesamorelin is an approved drug, sold as Egrifta, indicated to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy; randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials showed it significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue versus placebo, with the effect reversing after stopping. CJC-1295 is not approved for anything and is sold as research-only material; its best human evidence is a controlled study showing single injections produced sustained, multi-day elevations in GH and IGF-1, which is a surrogate marker rather than the body-composition result it is marketed for. The two have not been compared head to head, and tesamorelin's approval does not carry over to anti-aging, general fat loss, or healthspan in healthy adults; that use is an extrapolation to a different population and a different goal.
CJC-1295 fits if
CJC-1295 is worth reading about if you want to see what a genuine, measured pharmacodynamic effect looks like, and why a multi-day rise in GH and IGF-1 still is not an outcome.
Tesamorelin fits if
Tesamorelin is the relevant molecule if the question is HIV-associated lipodystrophy specifically, where a clinician-supervised, approved product with phase 3 data and monitoring actually exists.
Where to get it
Where to get peptide therapy
Clinician-led telehealth services that prescribe compounded peptides. The specific peptides offered vary by provider — confirm CJC-1295 & Ipamorelin availability before ordering.
