Updated April 2026

AOD-9604 Dosing Protocol

Q: What is the starting dose of AOD-9604?

Typical starting dose is 200-300 mcg once daily subcutaneously, usually in the morning while fasted. Many protocols stay near 300 mcg for the first 2-4 weeks before increasing to 400-500 mcg if tolerated. Clinical trials used oral dosing (0.25 to 1 mg/day), while injectable community protocols are lower-dose and not directly trial-equivalent.

Q: What is AOD-9604 half-life?

AOD-9604 has a very short half-life in the bloodstream — about 3-4 minutes after IV dosing. However, the fat-burning effects last much longer (roughly 12-24 hours) because AOD-9604 triggers enzyme activity in fat cells that continues working long after the peptide itself has been cleared from circulation. This is why once-daily dosing is sufficient despite the short AOD-9604 half-life.

Q: What fat-loss results can be expected from AOD-9604?

In a 12-week clinical trial using oral dosing, participants lost 2.6 kg versus 0.8 kg with placebo — about 1.8 kg (4 lbs) more than placebo. A larger 24-week trial did not confirm this AOD-9604 fat loss result at a statistically significant level. For context, FDA-approved weight-loss drugs like semaglutide (Wegovy) produce much larger results (15-17% body weight loss). Community reports with injectable AOD-9604 are mixed.

Q: How do you reconstitute AOD-9604?

Add bacteriostatic water to the lyophilized vial based on your target concentration, inject slowly down the vial wall, gently swirl until dissolved, and refrigerate at 2-8C for 4-6 weeks. For exact vial-size and syringe-unit math, use https://www.peppal.app/calculator.

Q: Is AOD-9604 FDA-approved?

No. AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved for any indication. Development ended in 2007 after a negative Phase IIb outcome. It was removed from FDA Category 2 in September 2024 after nomination withdrawal, and FDA later recommended against adding it to the 503A bulks list at the December 2024 PCAC meeting.

Q: What are the most common side effects of AOD-9604?

Across about 900 trial participants, reported adverse events were generally mild and placebo-comparable, including headache, fatigue, dizziness, and occasional hypoglycemia-not otherwise specified. Injection-site irritation can occur with subcutaneous use.

Q: How does AOD-9604 compare to HGH Fragment 176-191?

They are related but distinct compounds. AOD-9604 includes an N-terminal tyrosine substitution that improves stability and lipolytic potency relative to unmodified HGH Fragment 176-191. Human clinical evidence cited in this context is for AOD-9604 specifically.

Q: What vial sizes of AOD-9604 are available?

Common research vial sizes are 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg lyophilized formats. A 5 mg vial is often used because it balances concentration flexibility with practical multi-week dosing.

Q: How much bacteriostatic water should be added to an AOD-9604 vial?

Typical setups include 5 mg + 2.5 mL (2,000 mcg/mL), 2 mg + 2.0 mL (1,000 mcg/mL), or 10 mg + 2.0 mL (5,000 mcg/mL). Choose a dilution that keeps injections in a practical volume range and verify unit math with https://www.peppal.app/calculator.

Q: What is the maximum dose of AOD-9604 studied in clinical trials?

The highest repeated oral dose in Phase IIb was 1 mg/day (1,000 mcg/day). Phase I single-dose studies reported IV doses up to 400 ug/kg and single oral doses up to 54 mg. Trial data did not show meaningful dose-response above 1 mg/day oral.

Written by Garret Grant

Founder & Lead Researcher · B.S. Civil Engineering, UCLA

Last updated: April 2026

Complete Dosing & Safety Guide for AOD-9604, a Daily HGH Fragment Research Peptide, covering titration schedules, reconstitution math, fat-loss mechanism context, side effects, and human trial outcomes.

Half-life

~4 minutes (plasma)

Dose range

300-500 mcg daily

Status

Not FDA-approved

Developer

Metabolic Pharmaceuticals

Need to calculate reconstitution and dosing units? Use the Pep Pal calculator.

Quick Reference Dosing Card

Name

AOD-9604

Use Case

Research users commonly explore AOD-9604 for fat-loss and body-composition support.

Aliases

Tyr-hGH Fragment 176-191, Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, hGH Frag 177-191

Category / Class

Growth Hormone Fragment / Lipolytic Peptide

Half-Life

~4 minutes (IV, plasma); metabolic effects persist 12-24 hours

Dosing Frequency

Once daily (subcutaneous)

Dose Range

300-500 mcg/day (community protocol); up to 1 mg/day studied in clinical trials

Titration Schedule

200-300 mcg -> 300-400 mcg -> 400-500 mcg once daily

Common Vial Sizes

2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg

Route of Administration

Subcutaneous injection (primary); oral formulation tested in clinical trials

Regulatory Status

Not FDA-approved. Removed from FDA Category 2 in September 2024; reviewed by PCAC in December 2024; FDA recommended against inclusion on the 503A bulks list. WADA prohibited substance (S2 class).

Developer

Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Australia), originally developed at Monash University by Professor Frank Ng

Key Stat

Safety profile was indistinguishable from placebo across six clinical trials (~900 participants); 12-week trial showed 2.6 kg weight loss vs 0.8 kg placebo at 1 mg/day oral dosing.

Name	AOD-9604
Use Case	Research users commonly explore AOD-9604 for fat-loss and body-composition support.
Aliases	Tyr-hGH Fragment 176-191, Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, hGH Frag 177-191
Category / Class	Growth Hormone Fragment / Lipolytic Peptide
Half-Life	~4 minutes (IV, plasma); metabolic effects persist 12-24 hours
Dosing Frequency	Once daily (subcutaneous)
Dose Range	300-500 mcg/day (community protocol); up to 1 mg/day studied in clinical trials
Titration Schedule	200-300 mcg -> 300-400 mcg -> 400-500 mcg once daily
Common Vial Sizes	2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg
Route of Administration	Subcutaneous injection (primary); oral formulation tested in clinical trials
Regulatory Status	Not FDA-approved. Removed from FDA Category 2 in September 2024; reviewed by PCAC in December 2024; FDA recommended against inclusion on the 503A bulks list. WADA prohibited substance (S2 class).
Developer	Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Australia), originally developed at Monash University by Professor Frank Ng
Key Stat	Safety profile was indistinguishable from placebo across six clinical trials (~900 participants); 12-week trial showed 2.6 kg weight loss vs 0.8 kg placebo at 1 mg/day oral dosing.

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What Is AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 (Anti-Obesity Drug 9604) is a research peptide designed to target fat metabolism without the side effects of full human growth hormone (HGH). It is a small fragment — just 16 amino acids — taken from the fat-burning region of HGH. The key idea: it was built to help break down stored fat while leaving blood sugar, insulin, and growth-factor levels unchanged.

AOD-9604 was developed in the 1990s by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Monash University in Australia. Structurally, it is a modified version of HGH Fragment 176-191, with a stabilizing tyrosine substitution at one end that makes it more resistant to breakdown in the body and more potent per dose than the unmodified fragment. A disulfide bridge within the chain gives it a looped shape that mirrors the same region in full-length HGH. Molecular formula: C78H123N23O23S2; molecular weight: 1,815.10 g/mol.

Between 2001 and 2007, AOD-9604 was tested in six placebo-controlled clinical trials with about 900 participants total. An early 12-week trial showed promising AOD-9604 fat loss — 2.6 kg lost versus 0.8 kg with placebo. However, a larger 24-week trial (536 participants, the "OPTIONS" study) did not replicate those results at oral doses up to 1 mg/day, and development was stopped in March 2007. More recently, early-stage animal studies have explored AOD-9604 for cartilage repair in osteoarthritis models.

This compound is not FDA-approved and is currently classified as a research peptide only. It is a prohibited substance under WADA anti-doping rules. All information on this page is for educational and research reference purposes only.

How AOD-9604 Works: Selective Lipolysis Without HGH Side Effects

AOD-9604 works by targeting fat cells directly, telling them to release stored fat and stop making new fat — while leaving blood sugar, insulin, and growth-factor levels alone. Here is how each pathway contributes.

Fat-Cell Receptor Activation (Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptors)

Your fat cells have receptors that act like "release" switches — when activated, they signal fat to break down. In overweight individuals, these switches (called beta-3 adrenergic receptors, or beta3-AR) are often turned down. AOD-9604 turns them back up. In obese animal models, AOD-9604 treatment restored these receptor levels to match those of lean animals. The mechanism appears to be upstream sensitivity enhancement rather than direct receptor binding.

Fat-Breakdown Enzyme Activation + New-Fat Blocking

AOD-9604 activates hormone-sensitive lipase — the enzyme that breaks stored fat (triglycerides) into usable fatty acids and glycerol. At the same time, it suppresses acetyl-CoA carboxylase, an enzyme involved in building new fat. Think of it as opening the exit door for stored fat while closing the entrance for new fat. This dual action supports both increased fat mobilization and reduced new fat formation (lipogenesis inhibition).

No HGH Side Effects (Selective Metabolic Profile)

This is what makes AOD-9604 different from full-length growth hormone. Unlike HGH, AOD-9604 does not raise IGF-1 levels, does not cause insulin resistance or high blood sugar, and does not trigger growth signaling. Across clinical trials, researchers found no change in IGF-1, no impact on glucose tolerance tests, and no antibody reaction to the peptide. The safety profile was essentially identical to placebo.

AOD-9604's defining characteristic is selective metabolic action — it targets fat pathways without the broader hormonal disruptions associated with growth hormone.

Tools for this Protocol

peptide reconstitution calculator for reconstitution and units.
dose to units converter to lock in syringe draw volume.

AOD-9604 Dosing Protocol & Titration Schedule

The AOD-9604 dosing protocol below shows a gradual ramp-up from a lower starting dose to the common working range over several weeks. Most protocols begin conservatively to assess how your body responds before increasing. Find your current phase in the left column and follow the daily dose and notes.

Initiation

Weeks 1-2

200-300 mcg once daily

AM fasted administration; assess individual tolerance and inject 30-60 minutes before first meal.

Standard

Weeks 3-4

300-400 mcg once daily

Increase if well tolerated; typical range for most body weights in community protocols.

Maintenance

Weeks 5-12

400-500 mcg once daily

Common working range; 500 mcg is frequently used for individuals above 200 lbs.

Extended (optional)

Weeks 13-16

400-500 mcg once daily

Some protocols extend to 16 weeks before cycling off based on response.

Phase	Weeks	Daily Dose	Notes
Initiation	Weeks 1-2	200-300 mcg once daily	AM fasted administration; assess individual tolerance and inject 30-60 minutes before first meal.
Standard	Weeks 3-4	300-400 mcg once daily	Increase if well tolerated; typical range for most body weights in community protocols.
Maintenance	Weeks 5-12	400-500 mcg once daily	Common working range; 500 mcg is frequently used for individuals above 200 lbs.
Extended (optional)	Weeks 13-16	400-500 mcg once daily	Some protocols extend to 16 weeks before cycling off based on response.

Dosing Notes - Important Context

Clinical trial doses were oral, not injectable. All six Metabolic Pharmaceuticals trials tested oral formulations at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/day. The current subcutaneous 200-500 mcg/day protocol is community-derived and does not have direct trial efficacy equivalence.

Fasted administration is critical. Inject 30-60 minutes before eating and avoid carbohydrate intake for at least 30 minutes post-injection.

Cycle structure. Standard cycle is 8-12 weeks on with 4-6 weeks off. Extended cycle is 12-16 weeks on with 6-8 weeks off.

Missed dose guidance. If still fasted, take when remembered. If already fed, skip and resume the next morning. Do not double dose.

Ceiling context. Clinical trials did not show dose-response benefit above 1 mg/day oral, supporting the common 500 mcg/day injectable ceiling in community practice.

Weight-based guidance. Community guidance commonly uses 300 mcg/day under 160 lbs, 400 mcg/day from 160-200 lbs, and 500 mcg/day above 200 lbs.

AOD-9604 Reconstitution Guide

The AOD-9604 reconstitution table below shows how much liquid to add to each vial size and what your resulting concentration and injection volumes will be. Start by finding your vial size in the left column (check the label on your vial). Then choose a BAC water volume — this determines your concentration. Read across to find the syringe volume and units for your target dose. "Units" refers to the markings on a standard U-100 insulin syringe, where 100 units = 1.0 mL.

Vial Size: 2 mg

BAC Water: 2.0 mL

Concentration: 1,000 mcg/mL (1 mg/mL)

200 mcg: 0.20 mL (20 units)

300 mcg: 0.30 mL (30 units)

400 mcg: 0.40 mL (40 units)

500 mcg: 0.50 mL (50 units)

Vial Size: 5 mg

BAC Water: 2.5 mL

Concentration: 2,000 mcg/mL (2 mg/mL)

200 mcg: 0.10 mL (10 units)

300 mcg: 0.15 mL (15 units)

400 mcg: 0.20 mL (20 units)

500 mcg: 0.25 mL (25 units)

Vial Size: 5 mg

BAC Water: 3.0 mL

Concentration: 1,667 mcg/mL

200 mcg: 0.12 mL (12 units)

300 mcg: 0.18 mL (18 units)

400 mcg: 0.24 mL (24 units)

500 mcg: 0.30 mL (30 units)

Vial Size: 10 mg

BAC Water: 2.0 mL

Concentration: 5,000 mcg/mL (5 mg/mL)

200 mcg: 0.04 mL (4 units)

300 mcg: 0.06 mL (6 units)

400 mcg: 0.08 mL (8 units)

500 mcg: 0.10 mL (10 units)

Vial Size	BAC Water Added	Concentration	200 mcg Dose	300 mcg Dose	400 mcg Dose	500 mcg Dose
2 mg	2.0 mL	1,000 mcg/mL (1 mg/mL)	0.20 mL (20 units)	0.30 mL (30 units)	0.40 mL (40 units)	0.50 mL (50 units)
5 mg	2.5 mL	2,000 mcg/mL (2 mg/mL)	0.10 mL (10 units)	0.15 mL (15 units)	0.20 mL (20 units)	0.25 mL (25 units)
5 mg	3.0 mL	1,667 mcg/mL	0.12 mL (12 units)	0.18 mL (18 units)	0.24 mL (24 units)	0.30 mL (30 units)
10 mg	2.0 mL	5,000 mcg/mL (5 mg/mL)	0.04 mL (4 units)	0.06 mL (6 units)	0.08 mL (8 units)	0.10 mL (10 units)

Step-by-Step Reconstitution Instructions

Remove the plastic flip-top cap from the AOD-9604 vial. Do not remove the rubber stopper.
Swab the rubber stopper with an alcohol wipe and allow it to air dry for about 10 seconds.
Using a fresh sterile syringe, draw the target volume of bacteriostatic water.
Insert the needle through the stopper and inject BAC water slowly down the inside wall of the vial, not directly onto powder.
Gently swirl in a circular motion until fully dissolved. Do not shake vigorously.
Confirm solution is clear and colorless. If cloudy or discolored, discard.
Label with reconstitution date and concentration, then refrigerate at 2-8C. Typical refrigerated stability is about 4-6 weeks.

Need exact syringe units for a custom vial size or BAC water volume? Use the free Peptide Reconstitution Calculator - enter vial size, diluent volume, and target dose for instant unit math. Example checks: 5 mg in 2.5 mL gives 2,000 mcg/mL, so 300 mcg is 0.15 mL (15 units); 2 mg in 2.0 mL gives 1,000 mcg/mL, so 500 mcg is 0.50 mL (50 units).Open Calculator

AOD-9604 Side Effects - What Clinical Trials Show

Across six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies from 2001-2007, AOD-9604 showed a tolerability profile described as indistinguishable from placebo. No serious adverse events were attributed to AOD-9604, and no participants withdrew because of AOD-9604-related side effects.

Common reported events: Headache (6 total reports), fatigue or lethargy (4), low blood sugar episodes (classified as "hypoglycemia-not otherwise specified" — 3 reports), and dizziness (3). These were generally mild, short-lived, and occurred at similar rates in the placebo group.

Injection-site reactions: Mild redness, bruising, or swelling at the injection site can occur. This is common with any subcutaneous injection, not specific to AOD-9604.

Higher oral-dose GI effects: Nausea and diarrhea were reported more often in higher oral dose-ranging contexts.

Not observed in trials: No insulin resistance signal, no IGF-1 elevation, no fluid retention, no cardiovascular parameter change, and no anti-AOD-9604 antibody signal.

Evidence limits: Longest controlled trial duration was 24 weeks; long-term controlled safety data beyond that window is limited.

Regulatory caution: FDA briefing materials cited immunogenicity risk, peptide-related impurities, and limited long-term safety context during 503A bulks review.

AOD-9604 Clinical Trial Results

AOD-9604 clinical trials were conducted between 2001 and 2007 by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals in Australia. Six studies tested the compound in roughly 900 total participants. The table below summarizes each trial — look for the progression from early safety testing (Phases I–IIa) to the larger efficacy trial (Phase IIb "OPTIONS") that ultimately determined the program's fate.

METAOD001

Phase I • Single dose

15 healthy males

IV 25-400 ug/kg was safe and well tolerated.

METAOD002

Phase IIa • Single dose

23 obese males

IV dosing showed safety and no IGF-1 signal.

METAOD003

Phase IIa • Single dose

17 obese males

Oral doses up to 54 mg confirmed oral bioavailability and safety.

METAOD004

Phase IIa • 12 weeks

~300 obese adults

1 mg/day oral arm: 2.6 kg weight loss vs 0.8 kg placebo (p < 0.05).

METAOD005

Phase II • Multiple dose

Obese adults

Safety and tolerability expansion study.

METAOD006 ("OPTIONS")

Phase IIb • 24 weeks

536 obese adults

0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/day oral arms showed no statistically significant weight-loss difference vs placebo.

Trial	Phase	Duration	Population	Key Result
METAOD001	Phase I	Single dose	15 healthy males	IV 25-400 ug/kg was safe and well tolerated.
METAOD002	Phase IIa	Single dose	23 obese males	IV dosing showed safety and no IGF-1 signal.
METAOD003	Phase IIa	Single dose	17 obese males	Oral doses up to 54 mg confirmed oral bioavailability and safety.
METAOD004	Phase IIa	12 weeks	~300 obese adults	1 mg/day oral arm: 2.6 kg weight loss vs 0.8 kg placebo (p < 0.05).
METAOD005	Phase II	Multiple dose	Obese adults	Safety and tolerability expansion study.
METAOD006 ("OPTIONS")	Phase IIb	24 weeks	536 obese adults	0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/day oral arms showed no statistically significant weight-loss difference vs placebo.

What the trial program showed overall: Early small studies confirmed AOD-9604 was safe and well tolerated — essentially indistinguishable from placebo in side effects. A 12-week mid-stage trial produced a promising fat-loss signal (about 1.8 kg more than placebo). But when tested in a much larger 24-week trial with 536 participants (the OPTIONS study), the weight-loss benefit was not statistically significant at any dose tested. Metabolic Pharmaceuticals terminated development in March 2007. No obesity-focused AOD-9604 clinical trials are currently registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as of April 2026. Emerging preclinical work in osteoarthritis (rabbit model, n=32) reported improved cartilage morphology and reduced lameness with AOD-9604 plus hyaluronic acid, but no human cartilage-repair trial data exists.

Storage & Handling

Lyophilized powder

-20C (-4F) freezer

24+ months

Lyophilized powder

2-8C (36-46F) refrigerator

6-12 months

Reconstituted solution

2-8C (36-46F) refrigerator

4-6 weeks

Reconstituted solution

Room temperature

Not recommended

State	Temperature	Duration
Lyophilized powder	-20C (-4F) freezer	24+ months
Lyophilized powder	2-8C (36-46F) refrigerator	6-12 months
Reconstituted solution	2-8C (36-46F) refrigerator	4-6 weeks
Reconstituted solution	Room temperature	Not recommended

Protect from light and moisture, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and use a fresh alcohol-swabbed needle for each withdrawal. AOD-9604 primarily degrades through amino-terminal truncation; -2 and -3 fragments may retain reduced anti-lipogenic activity.

AOD-9604 vs. HGH Fragment 176-191 vs. Semaglutide vs. Tesamorelin

How does AOD-9604 compare to other fat-loss and growth-hormone-related peptides? The table below puts AOD-9604 side by side with three alternatives: the unmodified HGH Fragment 176-191, the FDA-approved GLP-1 drug semaglutide, and the GHRH analog tesamorelin. These compounds work through very different mechanisms — look at the "Primary Mechanism" and "Peak Efficacy" rows to see the biggest differences. "SC" in the table means subcutaneous (injected under the skin).

Peptide Class

AOD-9604: HGH fragment (modified)

HGH Frag 176-191: HGH fragment (unmodified)

Semaglutide: GLP-1 receptor agonist

Tesamorelin: GHRH analog

Amino Acids

AOD-9604: 16 (Tyr-hGH 177-191)

HGH Frag 176-191: 15 (hGH 176-191)

Semaglutide: 31

Tesamorelin: 44

Primary Mechanism

AOD-9604: beta3-AR upregulation, HSL activation, lipogenesis inhibition

HGH Frag 176-191: Similar lipolytic region, less characterized

Semaglutide: GLP-1 agonism leading to appetite suppression and gastric emptying delay

Tesamorelin: Stimulates endogenous GH release

Half-Life

AOD-9604: ~4 minutes (plasma)

HGH Frag 176-191: Not well characterized

Semaglutide: ~7 days

Tesamorelin: ~26 minutes

Dosing Frequency

AOD-9604: Daily (SC)

HGH Frag 176-191: Daily (SC)

Semaglutide: Weekly (SC)

Tesamorelin: Daily (SC)

Appetite Effects

AOD-9604: None

HGH Frag 176-191: None

Semaglutide: Strong suppression

Tesamorelin: Minimal

IGF-1 Impact

AOD-9604: None

HGH Frag 176-191: None

Semaglutide: None

Tesamorelin: Increases IGF-1

Peak Efficacy

AOD-9604: ~1.8 kg over placebo at 12 weeks (oral)

HGH Frag 176-191: No human efficacy data

Semaglutide: ~15-17% body-weight loss at 68 weeks

Tesamorelin: ~2.5 kg visceral fat reduction at 26 weeks

FDA Status

AOD-9604: Not approved; development terminated

HGH Frag 176-191: Not approved; no clinical trials

Semaglutide: FDA-approved (Wegovy, Ozempic)

Tesamorelin: FDA-approved (Egrifta) for HIV lipodystrophy

Unique Advantage

AOD-9604: No insulin, glucose, or IGF-1 disruption in trials; direct fat-metabolism focus without appetite suppression

HGH Frag 176-191: Closest to native HGH fragment sequence

Semaglutide: Strongest approved weight-loss efficacy

Tesamorelin: Only FDA-approved peptide for visceral-fat reduction

Feature	AOD-9604	HGH Frag 176-191	Semaglutide	Tesamorelin
Peptide Class	HGH fragment (modified)	HGH fragment (unmodified)	GLP-1 receptor agonist	GHRH analog
Amino Acids	16 (Tyr-hGH 177-191)	15 (hGH 176-191)	31	44
Primary Mechanism	beta3-AR upregulation, HSL activation, lipogenesis inhibition	Similar lipolytic region, less characterized	GLP-1 agonism leading to appetite suppression and gastric emptying delay	Stimulates endogenous GH release
Half-Life	~4 minutes (plasma)	Not well characterized	~7 days	~26 minutes
Dosing Frequency	Daily (SC)	Daily (SC)	Weekly (SC)	Daily (SC)
Appetite Effects	None	None	Strong suppression	Minimal
IGF-1 Impact	None	None	None	Increases IGF-1
Peak Efficacy	~1.8 kg over placebo at 12 weeks (oral)	No human efficacy data	~15-17% body-weight loss at 68 weeks	~2.5 kg visceral fat reduction at 26 weeks
FDA Status	Not approved; development terminated	Not approved; no clinical trials	FDA-approved (Wegovy, Ozempic)	FDA-approved (Egrifta) for HIV lipodystrophy
Unique Advantage	No insulin, glucose, or IGF-1 disruption in trials; direct fat-metabolism focus without appetite suppression	Closest to native HGH fragment sequence	Strongest approved weight-loss efficacy	Only FDA-approved peptide for visceral-fat reduction

These compounds are not interchangeable. Semaglutide operates through appetite suppression, while AOD-9604 targets adipocyte metabolic pathways without appetite signaling.

Tesamorelin increases endogenous GH and raises IGF-1, whereas AOD-9604 was designed specifically to avoid somatogenic and IGF-1-linked effects.

HGH Fragment 176-191 and AOD-9604 are often conflated, but all controlled human clinical data in this context comes from AOD-9604.

See the Semaglutide Protocol for compound-specific guides.

AOD-9604 Stacking Protocols

Before combining compounds, read the full stacking safety guide on PepPal.

Current PDP Status

No published PDP homepage stack currently includes AOD-9604

AOD-9604 does not appear in current homepage stack cards. The combinations below are community-discussed references, not controlled combination trial protocols.

Browse published stacks

Stack 1

AOD-9604 + Semaglutide

Dual-mechanism fat-loss stack in community use: AOD-9604 for adipocyte lipolysis support and semaglutide for appetite suppression via GLP-1.

See the compound-specific Semaglutide Protocol for additional context.

View semaglutide protocol

Stack 2

AOD-9604 + CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin

Mechanistically complementary model combining direct fat-metabolism targeting with endogenous GH stimulation.

CJC-1295 and ipamorelin can increase IGF-1, which differs from AOD-9604's non-somatogenic profile.

See the compound-specific CJC-1295 (No DAC) Protocol for additional context.

View CJC-1295 protocol

Stack 3

AOD-9604 + BPC-157

Community body-recomposition concept pairing fat-loss targeting with tissue-repair support.

See the compound-specific BPC-157 Protocol for additional context.

View BPC-157 protocol

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Frequently Asked Questions - AOD-9604

Q1: What is the starting dose of AOD-9604?

Typical starting dose is 200-300 mcg once daily subcutaneously, usually in the morning while fasted. Many protocols stay near 300 mcg for the first 2-4 weeks before increasing to 400-500 mcg if tolerated. Clinical trials used oral dosing (0.25 to 1 mg/day), while injectable community protocols are lower-dose and not directly trial-equivalent.

Q2: What is AOD-9604 half-life?

AOD-9604 has a very short half-life in the bloodstream — about 3-4 minutes after IV dosing. However, the fat-burning effects last much longer (roughly 12-24 hours) because AOD-9604 triggers enzyme activity in fat cells that continues working long after the peptide itself has been cleared from circulation. This is why once-daily dosing is sufficient despite the short AOD-9604 half-life.

Q3: What fat-loss results can be expected from AOD-9604?

In a 12-week clinical trial using oral dosing, participants lost 2.6 kg versus 0.8 kg with placebo — about 1.8 kg (4 lbs) more than placebo. A larger 24-week trial did not confirm this AOD-9604 fat loss result at a statistically significant level. For context, FDA-approved weight-loss drugs like semaglutide (Wegovy) produce much larger results (15-17% body weight loss). Community reports with injectable AOD-9604 are mixed.

Q4: How do you reconstitute AOD-9604?

Add bacteriostatic water to the lyophilized vial based on your target concentration, inject slowly down the vial wall, gently swirl until dissolved, and refrigerate at 2-8C for 4-6 weeks. For exact vial-size and syringe-unit math, use https://www.peppal.app/calculator.

Q5: Is AOD-9604 FDA-approved?

No. AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved for any indication. Development ended in 2007 after a negative Phase IIb outcome. It was removed from FDA Category 2 in September 2024 after nomination withdrawal, and FDA later recommended against adding it to the 503A bulks list at the December 2024 PCAC meeting.

Q6: What are the most common side effects of AOD-9604?

Across about 900 trial participants, reported adverse events were generally mild and placebo-comparable, including headache, fatigue, dizziness, and occasional hypoglycemia-not otherwise specified. Injection-site irritation can occur with subcutaneous use.

Q7: How does AOD-9604 compare to HGH Fragment 176-191?

They are related but distinct compounds. AOD-9604 includes an N-terminal tyrosine substitution that improves stability and lipolytic potency relative to unmodified HGH Fragment 176-191. Human clinical evidence cited in this context is for AOD-9604 specifically.

Q8: What vial sizes of AOD-9604 are available?

Common research vial sizes are 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg lyophilized formats. A 5 mg vial is often used because it balances concentration flexibility with practical multi-week dosing.

Q9: How much bacteriostatic water should be added to an AOD-9604 vial?

Typical setups include 5 mg + 2.5 mL (2,000 mcg/mL), 2 mg + 2.0 mL (1,000 mcg/mL), or 10 mg + 2.0 mL (5,000 mcg/mL). Choose a dilution that keeps injections in a practical volume range and verify unit math with https://www.peppal.app/calculator.

Q10: What is the maximum dose of AOD-9604 studied in clinical trials?

The highest repeated oral dose in Phase IIb was 1 mg/day (1,000 mcg/day). Phase I single-dose studies reported IV doses up to 400 ug/kg and single oral doses up to 54 mg. Trial data did not show meaningful dose-response above 1 mg/day oral.

Q11: How should reconstituted AOD-9604 be stored?

Store reconstituted AOD-9604 at 2-8C, protected from light, and generally use within 4-6 weeks. Do not freeze the reconstituted solution. Lyophilized powder is typically kept at -20C for long-term storage.

Q12: What happened to AOD-9604 clinical trials and why was development terminated?

Development was stopped in March 2007 after the 24-week OPTIONS Phase IIb trial (536 participants) failed to show statistically significant weight-loss differences versus placebo at 0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/day oral doses. Earlier 12-week Phase IIa results were promising but not reproduced at larger scale.

Q13: Where can I calculate reconstitution and syringe units?

Use the PepPal calculator for exact dose-to-unit conversions.

Q14: Where can I compare peptide suppliers?

Browse the PepPal supplier directory for current supplier listings.

Sources & Research

Ng FM, Sun J, Sharma L, Libinaka R, Jiang WJ, Gianello R. "Metabolic Studies of a Synthetic Lipolytic Domain (AOD9604) of Human Growth Hormone." Hormone Research, 2000 DOI: 10.1159/000053182 PMID: 11146367.
Heffernan MA, Thorburn AW, Fam B, et al. "Increase of fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice caused by chronic treatment with human growth hormone or a modified C-terminal fragment." International Journal of Obesity, 2001 PMID: 11673759.
Heffernan M, Summers RJ, Thorburn A, et al. "The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and beta(3)-AR knock-out mice." Endocrinology, 2001 PMID: 11713213.
Wilding JPH. "AOD-9604 Metabolic." Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs, 2004 PMID: 15134286.
Stier H, Vos E, Kenley D. "Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans." Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2013 Article.
More MI, Kenley D, Gianello R. "Safety and Metabolism of AOD9604, a Novel Nutraceutical Ingredient for Improved Metabolic Health." Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2014 Article.
Kwon DR, Park GY. "Effect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model." Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science, 2015 PMID: 26275694.
Misra M. "Obesity Pharmacotherapy: Current Perspectives and Future Directions." Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics, 2013 PMC3584306.
Cox HD, Hughes CM, Eichner D. "Detection and in vitro metabolism of AOD9604." Drug Testing and Analysis, 2014 PMID: 24039232.
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions." JAAOS, 2025 PMC12753158.
FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC), December 4, 2024 - AOD-9604 memorandum. PDF.
Wikipedia - AOD9604. Link.

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Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure

Disclaimer: This page is for educational and research reference purposes only. AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved for any indication and is discussed here in a research context only. No information on this site is medical advice, and no compound discussed is intended for unsupervised human consumption.

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