Head to head
MK-677 against CJC-1295
The two most commonly chosen ways to raise growth hormone without injecting growth hormone, one oral and daily, one injected and long-acting. They act on different receptors, which is why they are often stacked rather than compared, and no trial has tested either for the purposes they are sold for.
Column A
MK-677Ibutamoren (oral ghrelin receptor agonist)
A non-peptide, orally active ghrelin receptor agonist that raises growth hormone and IGF-1. Completed but did not pass Phase 3 for approval.
Column B
CJC-1295CJC-1295 (GHRH analogue)
A modified GHRH analogue engineered for an extended half-life, promoting sustained growth hormone and IGF-1 release.
Side by side, on the facts we can check
| Attribute | MK-677 | CJC-1295 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Growth Hormone | Growth Hormone |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved (failed to gain approval after Phase 3) | Not FDA-approved |
| Half-life | ~24 hours | ~6-8 days (DAC version) |
| Molecular weight | 624.8 Da | 3,647.2 Da |
| Mechanism | Agonizes the ghrelin/GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), increasing GH and IGF-1 while also stimulating appetite. | Activates the GHRH receptor on the pituitary to increase growth hormone secretion; albumin binding prolongs its activity. |
| Human studies cited | 3 | 2 |
| Legal status, US | Not approved; research use only | Not approved; research use only |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MK-677 and CJC-1295?
MK-677: A non-peptide, orally active ghrelin receptor agonist that raises growth hormone and IGF-1. Completed but did not pass Phase 3 for approval. CJC-1295: A modified GHRH analogue engineered for an extended half-life, promoting sustained growth hormone and IGF-1 release.
Which has stronger research evidence, MK-677 or CJC-1295?
This database does not grade compounds. It counts what was run in people: 3 of the 3 studies cited on the MK-677 profile were human work, against 2 of 2 for CJC-1295. Those counts are of our own citation lists and understate any larger literature, and neither is a recommendation.
Are MK-677 and CJC-1295 FDA-approved?
MK-677: Not FDA-approved (failed to gain approval after Phase 3). CJC-1295: Not FDA-approved.
Related posts
Blog articles that cover MK-677 or CJC-1295, newest first.
Reviewed Sep 2026. This page sets two published records side by side. It is educational, it is not medical advice, and it contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use.