AOD-9604
A growth-hormone fragment developed for obesity — it failed its key trial.
Overview
AOD-9604 is a 15-amino-acid piece of the tail end of human growth hormone (residues 177–191) with an extra tyrosine. It was designed to keep GH's fat-burning signal without affecting growth or blood sugar. It looked good in animals, but a 24-week phase 2b trial in 536 people found no meaningful weight loss versus placebo, and development for obesity stopped in 2007.
How it works
Proposed to stimulate fat breakdown (lipolysis) and block fat storage in fat cells, mimicking a region of GH. It does not raise IGF-1 the way full GH does. Mechanism in humans is not well established.
Evidence
3/5
Human trials exist and showed it was well tolerated, but the largest (phase 2b, 536 people) missed its weight-loss endpoint. Positive findings are mostly from animals.
Half-life
Short (minutes to under an hour); not well characterized
Known as
Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, Tyr-hGH(177-191), hGH fragment 176-191 (modified)
Compound facts
- Type
- Modified peptide fragment
- Origin
- hGH fragment 177-191
- Molecular Weight
- ~1,815 g/mol
- Amino Acids
- 15 (modified)
- Sequence
- Tyr-hGH(177-191)
- Modification
- Tyrosine addition at N-terminus
Reported benefits
Fat loss in obese animals
Reduced body fat in obese mice and rats.
Well tolerated in trials
Human trials reported a side-effect profile similar to placebo and no effect on IGF-1 or blood sugar.
Weight loss in humans
Not shown: phase 2b found no significant difference from placebo at 24 weeks.
Cartilage / joint repair
Explored in animal models of osteoarthritis; human evidence lacking.
“Anecdotal” means reported by users, not shown in controlled trials.
Community-reported regimens
Not recommendations. These are commonly cited ranges, shown so you can see what real-world use looks like.
| Plan | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community-reported Most commonly cited dose. Not a dose proven to work in humans. | 300 mcg | Once daily, usually fasted in the morning | 8–12 weeks | Subcutaneous, abdomen |
| Community-reported higher | 500 mcg | Once daily | 8–12 weeks | Subcutaneous |
Reconstitution calculator
Set up for AOD-9604. Switch peptide or vial size any time.
1Mix
Add 2 mL water for 2.5 mg/mL
2Draw
Draw to 12 units = 0.12 mL = 300 mcg
Drag the plunger to set your dose.
3Inject
Next site
Right belly, upper
Tap a site after you inject to keep a rotation.
Pinch the skin, stay 2 in. from the navel, then into a sharps bin.
- Doses per vial
- 16.7
- Vial lasts
- 23 days
- Good once mixed
- ~28 days
- Syringe
- 30-unit, 0.3 mL
Math only: concentration (mg/mL) = vial mg ÷ mL of water; units = dose (mg) ÷ concentration × 100. Always double-check against your own vial label and a clinician. This tool does not recommend a dose.
Reconstitution
Diluent: Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) — allows multiple draws from one vial.
- Wipe both vial tops with an alcohol swab and let dry.
- Draw the diluent, then inject it slowly down the inside wall of the vial — never straight onto the powder.
- Swirl gently or let it sit; do not shake. Foam can damage peptides.
- Solution should be clear. Cloudy, stringy or discolored = discard.
- Common mix: 5 mg + 2.5 mL = 2 mg/mL (300 mcg = 15 units).
Storage
Powder
Freezer / fridge
Keep sealed vial in the freezer (−20 °C) for long-term storage; fridge (2–8 °C) is fine for a few weeks. Keep dry and out of light.
After mixing
~28 days
Refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Never freeze after mixing. Keep upright, capped, and out of light.
Travel
Keep cool
Short trips at room temperature are generally fine for powder; keep mixed vials cold.
- Protect from light.
Side effects & cautions
Reported side effects
- Injection-site redness or irritation
- Headache
- Mild nausea
- Unknown long-term effects with injected use
Cautions
- The key human trial found no weight-loss benefit; set expectations accordingly.
- No data in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Prohibited by WADA (listed as a growth-hormone fragment).
FDA & international status
Not FDA-approved
Never approved as a drug. Development for obesity ended in 2007 after the phase 2b failure. The developer later pursued food-ingredient (GRAS) status for oral use, which is not drug approval. FDA has listed it among bulk substances with safety concerns for compounding (Category 2); this list changes, so check the FDA 503A categories page.
Regulations change often — verify with the FDA, EMA, MHRA, Health Canada, TGA and WADA before acting.
Where to buy
| Size | Price | Per mg | Stock | Latest COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg | $49.99 | $10.00 | In stock | 99.68% pure, lot AOD0002 ILS Labs, tested 2026-07-30 |
Amino Club list prices as of 2026-10-07, before promo codes. Multi-buy: 2+ units 5% off, 3+ units 7.5% off, 10+ units 40% off. Prices change; confirm on the product page. Mixing? Their bacteriostatic water is Amino H2O from $19.99.
AOD-9604 at Amino Club
Check sizes, current price and the certificate of analysis (COA) on the product page. Sold for in-vitro research only.
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- Look for a batch-specific COA with HPLC purity (≥98%) and mass-spec identity.
- Typical vial sizes: 5 mg.
FAQ
Is AOD-9604 the same as HGH Frag 176-191?
Close. AOD-9604 is the 177–191 fragment with an added tyrosine at the start; the names are often used interchangeably online.
Does it actually cause weight loss?
Not in its largest human trial. Most positive claims come from animal studies and user reports.
Does it raise IGF-1 or blood sugar like growth hormone?
Trials reported it did not, which was the whole point of the design.