What this comparison tells you
Growth hormone-releasing factor analogue
Tesamorelin
EstablishedAn official agency review or strong, repeated studies in people support one clear use. That evidence applies only to the product, people, and use in the reviewed sources. It does not mean the product is safe or effective for everyone.- Evidence type
- Health results for approved uses
- Approval
- An FDA-approved product exists for a narrow indication
- Approved products
- Egrifta SV · Egrifta WR
- Sports status
- Prohibited
- Sources used
- 4 sources
- Last reviewed
- August 1, 2026
An approved medicine for one specific HIV-related body-composition outcome. It is not a general weight-loss or anti-aging medicine.
Long-acting version of a body signal that tells the body to release growth hormone
CJC-1295
EmergingSome studies in people exist. Important questions remain about benefit, safety, who it helps, or how long the effects last. This is not an approval or recommendation.- Evidence type
- Body changes, not proven benefits
- Approval
- Still being studied. This review found no FDA-approved CJC-1295 product in the United States.
- Approved products
- None identified in the United States.
- Sports status
- Prohibited
- Sources used
- 5 sources
- Last reviewed
- August 2, 2026
Short studies in healthy adults found that CJC-1295 raised growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). These hormone measurements do not prove better recovery, muscle gain, or fat loss.
How the evidence compares
These are separate questions, not one score. A peptide can be well understood in one area and uncertain in another.
Both peptide columns stay aligned. Read across each row to compare the same question. On smaller screens, each question shows both records together.
Each question shows both records together.
| Question checked | TesamorelinEstablished | CJC-1295Emerging |
|---|---|---|
| Health benefitsDid people's health improve? | TesamorelinStrong Phase 3 trials support visceral-adipose-tissue reduction in the labeled HIV population. | CJC-1295Limited Studies in people measured hormone levels. They did not test lasting health benefits. |
| Body changes in peopleWhat body changes did studies in people measure? | TesamorelinStrong The approved label characterizes IGF-1 response, exposure, and product-specific use. | CJC-1295Moderate Short studies in healthy adults found that CJC-1295 raised growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for a time. |
| Known risksWhat do we know about risks in people? | TesamorelinStrong The label describes neoplasm, glucose, fluid-retention, hypersensitivity, and other risks. | CJC-1295Limited The studies were short. FDA reports serious unwanted events, limited clinical data, and concerns about unwanted material in peptide products. |
| Exact productDo we know what the product contains and how well it was made? | TesamorelinStrong High for authentic Egrifta SV; no automatic transfer to other formulations. | CJC-1295Unclear Online pages may use the name CJC-1295 for versions with DAC, without DAC, different salt forms, or mixtures with other ingredients. |
| Approval statusIs there a reviewed product for a specific use? | Tesamorelin An FDA-approved product exists for a narrow indication | CJC-1295 Still being studied. This review found no FDA-approved CJC-1295 product in the United States. |
Questions to ask before you compare
Use these questions to see whether the records match.
- 01
Is there a current FDA-approved product, and for what use?
- 02
Did studies in people measure a health result or only a hormone change?
- 03
Which form of CJC-1295 did each study use?
- 04
What safety and sports-rule limits apply?
What sources were used
The number of sources does not prove strength. Different sources answer different questions. A drug label, a trial, a cell study, and an agency review do not mean the same thing.
Tesamorelin
4 sources used
- Drug label2
- Anti-doping1
- Randomized trial1
Controlled trials in adults with HIV-associated abdominal fat accumulation found less visceral fat, which is fat around internal organs. The Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR labels say the products are not indicated for weight-loss management and that long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established. Their formulations are not substitutable.
These results do not establish general fat loss, muscle gain, anti-aging benefit, athletic recovery, or equivalent outcomes from compounded products.
CJC-1295
5 sources used
- Anti-doping1
- FDA review1
- Human pharmacology1
- Randomized trial1
- Regulatory1
Two studies assigned healthy adults to groups by chance. Some received CJC-1295, and some received a placebo, an inactive comparison. The studies found that growth hormone and IGF-1 stayed higher for a time. Another study found changes in how growth hormone was released. These studies measured body signals, not health benefits.
Higher hormone levels do not prove less body fat, more muscle, better recovery, better sleep, more energy, or a longer life. These studies did not establish those popular claims. Long-term safety is still unclear.
Fact checks for each peptide
Each result applies only to the statement shown. Open its record to see the version and sources.
Tesamorelin
“Tesamorelin reduces visceral fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.”
Phase 3 trials and the product label support this outcome in the labeled population.
- Evidence used
- Health results from a study with randomly assigned groups
- What this result covers
- Adults with HIV and excess abdominal fat meeting the trial and label criteria.
“Tesamorelin is an approved general weight-loss drug.”
The label specifically says it is not indicated for weight-loss management.
- Evidence used
- Official record or product label
- What this result covers
- The current Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR labels.
“Tesamorelin is permitted for competitive athletes.”
The 2026 WADA Prohibited List names tesamorelin in the S2 peptide-hormone and growth-factor category, which is prohibited at all times for covered athletes.
- Evidence used
- Official record or product label
- What this result covers
- Sport governed by the World Anti-Doping Code.
CJC-1295
“CJC-1295 can raise GH and IGF-1 in healthy adults.”
Studies in people found that both hormones stayed higher for a time. This is a change in body measurements, not proof of a health benefit.
- Evidence used
- Studies of body changes in people
- What this result covers
- Short-term changes in GH and IGF-1 measured in the healthy adults studied.
“CJC-1295 builds muscle and burns fat in people.”
The cited studies did not test lasting changes in body fat, muscle, or what people could do physically.
- Evidence used
- No reliable studies showing this health result in people
- What this result covers
- Lasting changes in body fat, muscle, or what people could do physically. The cited hormone studies did not test these outcomes.
“All products called CJC-1295 are interchangeable.”
Research papers and sellers may use the name for different forms, including different salts, changed versions, or mixtures with other ingredients.
- Evidence used
- Official record or product label
- What this result covers
- Products labeled CJC-1295 that differ in form, salt, chemical changes, added ingredients, or quality controls.
Products with the same ingredient can differ
Evidence applies to the exact product used in a study. Check the peptide's amino-acid order, ingredients and form, how it enters the body, and where it came from. A shared ingredient name does not prove that another vial has the same benefits or risks.
Tesamorelin
44 amino acids · stabilized GHRF analogue
The two approved products are not interchangeable. Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR are approved, non-substitutable formulations with product-specific labeling. Tesamorelin sold or compounded outside those products is not automatically equivalent.
Egrifta SV
2024 label- How it enters the body
- Under the skin (subcutaneous)
- Use and people covered
- Reduction of excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy; not indicated for weight-loss management.
Egrifta WR
March 2025- How it enters the body
- Under the skin (subcutaneous)
- Use and people covered
- Reduction of excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy; not indicated for weight-loss management.
- Reduction of excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy
CJC-1295
Modified peptide · different forms discussed
Some products use the name CJC-1295 for different chemical forms, including different salts. Some have a chemical part called DAC, and some do not. FDA says evidence for the DAC form cannot prove the same effects for a no-DAC form. These products are not automatically the same as modified GRF 1-29 or pharmacy-made mixtures with other ingredients.
No FDA product label was found for this molecule in the sources reviewed.
- No FDA-approved indication
Sports rules and safety limits
These statuses do not give personal clearance to compete.
Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is named as a prohibited growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogue on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List and is prohibited at all times for covered athletes.
Reviewed Read the governing record ↗This prescription drug has benefits for a specific group and important monitoring requirements. No dosing, cycling, stacking, or performance-use guidance is provided.
CJC-1295
The 2026 WADA list names CJC-1295 as a growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue. It is prohibited at all times for athletes covered by the list.
Reviewed Read the governing record ↗FDA says compounded CJC-1295 may pose a risk of unwanted immune reactions when given by certain routes. FDA also describes possible quality concerns, including peptide impurities and incomplete information about the active ingredient. FDA reports serious events associated with CJC-1295, including a faster heart rate and a whole-body reaction in which blood vessels widen. The small published studies did not report those serious events. Available clinical data are limited. This guide gives no dose or personal-use instructions.
Two versions of the same body signal
Both peptides are based on growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). GHRH is a body signal that tells the body to release growth hormone. Tesamorelin is a stabilized version of that signal with 44 amino acids.
CJC-1295 is a changed version of GHRH made to last longer. Online pages may use the name for different forms. Some forms have a chemical part called DAC, and some do not.
Tesamorelin is in the Established evidence tier, with approved human outcomes. CJC-1295 is in the Emerging evidence tier. CJC-1295's studies in people measured body changes, not proven benefits.
Which one has an approved product
Tesamorelin has two FDA-approved products. Egrifta SV comes in a 2 mg single-dose vial. Egrifta WR comes in an 11.6 mg single-patient-use multidose vial. Both labels cover one use: reducing extra belly fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy.
Both labels say the products are not for weight-loss management. One product cannot be swapped for the other. The claim that tesamorelin is an approved general weight-loss drug is graded Misleading.
The August 2, 2026 review found no FDA-approved CJC-1295 product in the United States. Its record lists no FDA-approved use.
FDA keeps a page of bulk substances that may present significant safety risks in pharmacy mixing (compounding). FDA had placed CJC-1295 in Category 2 on that page. Category 2 means it may present significant safety risks in compounding, pending further review.
The person who asked FDA to allow CJC-1295 in compounding then withdrew the request. FDA still lists its safety concerns and has not made a final decision. A withdrawn request is neither a ban nor an approval.
That FDA page does not name tesamorelin. That does not show that a pharmacy may compound it. Other FDA lists and conditions still apply. The page was dated April 22, 2026, and was checked on October 15, 2026.
What studies in people measured
Phase 3 trials tested tesamorelin in adults with HIV and extra abdominal fat. The trials found less visceral fat, which is fat around the internal organs. The claim that tesamorelin reduces visceral fat in this group is graded Supported with scope.
Two CJC-1295 studies assigned healthy adults by chance to CJC-1295 or a placebo, an inactive comparison. Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) stayed higher for a time.
The claim that CJC-1295 can raise growth hormone and IGF-1 in healthy adults is graded Supported with scope. That scope covers short-term hormone changes only.
The CJC-1295 studies did not test lasting changes in body fat, muscle, or what people could do physically. The claim that CJC-1295 builds muscle and burns fat in people is graded Not established.
The two sets of studies tested different people. Tesamorelin's trials were in adults with HIV and extra abdominal fat. The CJC-1295 studies were in healthy adults. A result in one group does not carry over to the other.
Safety, product, and sports limits
The tesamorelin labels describe risks that include abnormal growths (neoplasms), blood sugar changes, fluid retention, and allergic reactions. They also say long-term heart and blood vessel safety has not been established. The record notes important monitoring requirements for this prescription drug.
FDA reports serious events linked with CJC-1295, including a faster heart rate and a whole-body reaction in which blood vessels widen. The small published studies did not report those events. FDA says available clinical data are limited.
FDA also says compounded CJC-1295 may pose a risk of unwanted immune reactions when given by certain routes. It describes quality concerns, including peptide impurities and incomplete information about the active ingredient.
Tesamorelin sold or compounded outside Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR is not automatically the same as those two products. Products called CJC-1295 can differ in form, salt, added ingredients, and quality controls. The claim that all products called CJC-1295 are interchangeable is graded Misleading.
Both are prohibited at all times for athletes covered by the World Anti-Doping Code. The 2026 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list names each one as a growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue. The records checked this on August 1, 2026 for tesamorelin and August 2, 2026 for CJC-1295.
The claim that tesamorelin is permitted for competitive athletes is graded Misleading. No dose, injection, cycling, or compounding instructions are given here.
What these records cannot answer
- The reviewed records contain no study that compares tesamorelin with CJC-1295 directly, so no result comparison is made.
- The CJC-1295 record includes no study in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy, so the tesamorelin result cannot be applied to CJC-1295.
- The CJC-1295 record does not tie each human study to a named form, with or without DAC. A study result cannot be matched to a product form here.
- Neither record includes adverse-event rates that can be compared between the two.
- The records give no dosing, injection, cycling, or stacking guidance, and none is given here. No study of the two used together is recorded.
- The reviewed records contain no cost, insurance, or availability data, so none is reported.
This page does not provide dosing, sourcing, or treatment advice.
Read the sources behind the comparison
Tesamorelin
CJC-1295