Comparison
CJC-1295 vs Metformin
Side-by-side of CJC-1295 and Metformin. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
CJC-1295
CJC-1295 peptide profile: GHRH analog forms (with-DAC ~7-day half-life, no-DAC Mod GRF 1-29 ~30 min), ipamorelin pairing, recovery use, dosing, side effects.
Metformin
Metformin for longevity: biguanide mechanism of action, TAME trial status, anti-aging dosage, weight loss data, life extension evidence in non-diabetics.
Effects at a glance
CJC-1295
- •GHRH analog that binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs to release endogenous GH
- •DAC variant has ~7 day half-life via albumin binding; non-DAC variant ~30 minutes
- •Teichman 2006 trial showed sustained 2 to 10 fold IGF-1 elevation at 60 to 250 mcg/kg DAC dosing
- •Anecdotal protocols pair non-DAC CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin to mimic pulsatile GH release
- •Side effects: water retention, numbness or tingling at injection site, vivid dreams, transient flushing
- •No completed phase III RCTs; research-use-only and not FDA approved
Metformin
- •Reduces HbA1c by ~1.0 to 1.5 percentage points in type 2 diabetes; first-line agent in major guidelines
- •DPP trial: 31% reduction in T2DM incidence in adults with prediabetes over 2.8 years
- •Suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis via AMPK activation and complex I inhibition
- •Long-term use depletes B12; annual monitoring recommended after year 2
- •Lifespan extension in non-diabetic humans is not established; TAME trial pending
- •MASTERS trial reported blunted resistance-training hypertrophy in older adults
Side-by-side
| Attribute | CJC-1295 | Metformin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | pharmaceutical |
| Also known as | CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 no-DAC, Mod GRF 1-29, tesamorelin analog | Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza, dimethylbiguanide |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 168 | 6 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 1500 |
| Dosing frequency | weekly (DAC); 1-3x daily (non-DAC) | 1 to 3 times daily with meals; XR once daily |
| Routes | subcutaneous | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 3 | 2.5 |
| Molecular weight | 3367.83 | 129.16 |
| Molecular formula | C152H252N44O42 | C4H11N5 |
| Mechanism | Binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating pulsatile growth-hormone release. The DAC modification extends plasma residence by tethering the peptide to serum albumin via a maleimide-cysteine bond. | Suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis primarily via AMPK activation and complex I inhibition; modestly improves peripheral insulin sensitivity and shifts gut microbiome composition. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA | Prescription only (FDA approved for type 2 diabetes 1994) |
| WADA status | banned | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status | Rx only (not a controlled substance) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Category B; used in gestational diabetes and PCOS per current guidance |
| CAS | 446262-90-4 | 657-24-9 |
| PubChem CID | 91971820 | 4091 |
| Wikidata | Q5012154 | Q19484 |
Safety profile
CJC-1295
Common side effects
- injection-site reactions
- water retention
- numbness or tingling at injection site
- vivid dreams
- transient flushing
- head pressure or mild headache
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- active malignancy
- diabetic retinopathy (theoretical)
- history of pituitary tumor
Interactions
- Ipamorelin: synergistic GH release; commonly co-administered in anecdotal protocols(minor)
- insulin: GH-induced insulin resistance can shift glycemic control over weeks(moderate)
- corticosteroids: blunt GH-axis response; reduce expected efficacy(moderate)
Metformin
Common side effects
- nausea
- diarrhea
- abdominal discomfort
- metallic taste
- decreased appetite
- B12 depletion (long-term)
Contraindications
- eGFR below 30 mL/min/1.73m2
- acute or chronic metabolic acidosis
- severe hepatic impairment
- acute heart failure
- iodinated contrast within 48 hours
Interactions
- iodinated contrast media: renal injury risk; hold 48 hours peri-imaging(major)
- alcohol (heavy use): elevated lactic acidosis risk(major)
- cimetidine: raises metformin plasma levels via OCT2 inhibition(moderate)
- insulin and sulfonylureas: additive hypoglycemia risk in combination(moderate)
- dolutegravir: raises metformin exposure via OCT2(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Metformin comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 2 catalogued goals, prescription-only, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. CJC-1295 is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is post-training recovery, pick CJC-1295.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick CJC-1295.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick Metformin.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick Metformin.
Edge case: If you cannot self-administer injections, Metformin is the only oral option in this pair.
Default choice: Metformin. Wider use case, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for CJC-1295 only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between CJC-1295 and Metformin?
CJC-1295 and Metformin differ in category (peptide vs pharmaceutical), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, CJC-1295 or Metformin?
CJC-1295 half-life is 168 hours; Metformin half-life is 6 hours.
Can you stack CJC-1295 with Metformin?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper