AOD-9604
Anti-Obesity Drug 9604 · hGH fragment analogue
A growth hormone fragment marketed for fat loss that failed to beat placebo in human trials.
Class
Modified hGH 176-191 fragment
Half-life
~20–40 minutes
Evidence
Randomized human trials
Randomized human trials
Supported by randomized controlled trials in humans. Several compounds at this level are FDA-approved for specific indications.
Overview
AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of the C-terminal region of human growth hormone (residues 176–191) with a tyrosine added at the N-terminus. The theory was elegant: isolate the lipolytic portion of GH without the growth-promoting, insulin-antagonising portion, and you get fat loss without the metabolic downside.
The theory did not survive contact with human trials. Metabolic Pharmaceuticals ran a 12-week phase 2b study in 536 obese participants and AOD-9604 failed to separate from placebo on weight loss at any dose tested. Development for obesity was discontinued.
This entry exists in the library specifically because AOD-9604 is still actively marketed as a fat-loss peptide despite a well-powered negative trial. It has since been explored for osteoarthritis and cartilage repair with more mechanistic plausibility, but the fat-loss claim is not supported by the best available evidence.
How it works
- Proposed stimulation of lipolysis and inhibition of lipogenesis in adipose tissue, independent of the GH receptor.
- Does not bind the GH receptor and does not raise IGF-1 — this was the intended safety advantage.
- In rodent models it increased fat oxidation; the effect did not translate to humans at studied doses.
- Emerging work suggests possible chondroprotective activity relevant to cartilage, which is mechanistically separate from the obesity claim.
What the research shows
Researched effects
- Reduced adiposity in obese rodent models
- Failed to produce significant weight loss versus placebo in a 536-participant 12-week phase 2b human trial
- Preliminary signals in cartilage repair and osteoarthritis models
- Favourable safety profile in human trials — it was ineffective, not harmful
Limitations & what it won't do
- The primary marketed claim — fat loss in humans — was directly tested and failed.
- No FDA approval for any indication.
- Prohibited by WADA; it will trigger a positive test in tested sport.
- Osteoarthritis data remains preliminary and does not justify the fat-loss marketing.
Dosing protocols
These ranges reflect published trials and community protocols. They are reference information, not a prescription. Doses are per injection unless noted.
Commonly cited protocol (efficacy unsupported)
250–500 mcgThis is the range circulated in community protocols. It is documented for completeness — the controlled human evidence does not support fat-loss efficacy at these or higher doses.
Reconstitution & measuring your dose
Handling
- Typical vial sizes
- 2 · 5 mg
- Suggested BAC water
- 2 mL
- Storage
- Lyophilised powder refrigerated at 2–8 °C, protected from light.
- After reconstitution
- Reconstituted: approximately 30 days refrigerated.
Why 2 mL? A 5 mg vial in 2 mL yields 2.5 mg/mL (2500 mcg/mL) — 250 mcg lands on 10 units and 500 mcg on 20 units of a U-100 syringe.
Dose calculator
Draw to
10units
= 0.1 mL · 25 mcg per unit
Concentration
2500 mcg/mL
Doses per vial
20
Side effects
Common
- Injection-site irritation
- Mild headache
- Generally well tolerated in trials
Serious / rare
- No significant safety signals identified in human trials
Contraindications & interactions
Do not use if you have
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
No pregnancy safety data.
Use caution if you have
- Active cancer or current oncology treatment
Although AOD-9604 does not raise IGF-1, any growth-factor-adjacent compound warrants oncology clearance during active disease.
What to monitor
- Body composition, if used — and an honest baseline expectation given the negative trial data
Commonly combined with
References
- Ng FM et al. — Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormoneHorm Res 2000;53:274-278
- World Anti-Doping Agency — The Prohibited List (AOD-9604 is prohibited)WADA (current edition)
Research & educational information only — not medical advice.
You must be 18 or older to use this site. The peptides described are presented as research chemicals intended for research purposes only. Most are not approved by the FDA for human use. Dosing ranges reflect what has appeared in the scientific literature or community protocols and are not prescriptions. Nothing here replaces evaluation by a licensed physician who knows your full medical history.
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