The three GHRH analogues that built modern peptide therapy. Half-lives, FDA status, and which to pick.
The original natural-rhythm GH approach — your pituitary stays in charge.
Read full guide → GHRH analogueFDA-approved GHRH analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Visceral-fat targeted.
Read full guide → GHRH analogue (no DAC)30-min half-life GHRH analogue. Most common stack partner for ipamorelin.
Read full guide →| Sermorelin | Tesamorelin | CJC-1295 No DAC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-life | ~10 minutes | ~26 minutes | ~30 minutes (no DAC); ~8 days (DAC) |
| Route | SC | SC | SC |
| Typical dose | 200-500 mcg / day | 1-2 mg / day | 100 mcg / dose, 1-3×/day |
| FDA status | Discontinued brand (Geref); compounding-only | FDA-approved (HIV lipodystrophy) | Investigational only |
| Best for | General GH restoration, sleep | Visceral fat reduction | Stack base for ipamorelin |
| Common stack | Often standalone | Often standalone (Rx) | Always with ipamorelin |
| Compounding pharmacy access | Available (US) | Available (US, brand) | Limited US access |
All three are modified GHRH peptides that stimulate the pituitary to release endogenous GH. They differ in how stably the modified molecule resists DPP-IV degradation. Sermorelin is closest to native GHRH(1-29) — short half-life, gentle. Tesamorelin is GHRH(1-44) stabilized — longer effect, FDA-approved. CJC-1295 (no DAC) is modified GHRH with four substitutions that resist enzymatic breakdown.
Tesamorelin is the only GHRH analogue with FDA approval — for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, specifically. The visceral-fat-reducing effect is well-documented in HIV patients, and off-label use for general visceral fat targets the same mechanism. None of the other GHRH analogues have demonstrated this specific effect.
CJC-1295 (no DAC) is rarely run alone. The ~30-minute half-life means the GH pulse is brief; combined with ipamorelin (a GHRP hitting a different receptor), the two synergize to produce a 5–10× larger GH pulse than either alone.
Sermorelin: gentle daily GH restoration, sleep and recovery focus, easy compounding access. Tesamorelin: visceral-fat targeting, FDA-backed safety record, willingness to pay brand-price. CJC-1295 (no DAC): always stacked with ipamorelin, slightly longer half-life than sermorelin for the same use case.
Epti lets you log your protocol — every dose, side-effect, and outcome on one timeline. The only way to know which works for you.