AOD-9604
Also called AOD9604; hGH fragment 177-191 (modified)
A 16-amino-acid fragment of human growth hormone studied for fat metabolism. Animal results looked promising, but a large human obesity trial found no significant weight-loss benefit over placebo.
Overview
What it is
Amino acids 177-191 from the end of growth hormone plus an added tyrosine. It was designed to affect fat without growth hormone's growth or blood-sugar effects.
How it works
In obese mice, it increased fat burning and fat breakdown and reduced weight gain. It did not bind the growth hormone receptor in cell tests. Its exact target is uncertain.
What the research shows
In the OPTIONS trial, 536 people enrolled and 502 were randomized to oral AOD-9604 or placebo with diet and exercise; there was no significant difference at 12 or 24 weeks, and obesity development ended in 2007. A developer-funded summary of six trials described good tolerability.
Studied for
- Fat oxidationmice
- Obesitylarge human trial, negative
Safety and regulatory status
Safety and side effects
Reported effects included headache, diarrhea and flatulence; one case of severe chest tightness occurred in an IV study. Cancers diagnosed in one study were judged unrelated by investigators, but FDA found the details insufficient to resolve the question.
Regulatory status
Not FDA approved for any therapeutic use. A GRAS food-use opinion is not approval to inject it or treat obesity. Prohibited at all times by WADA.
Mixing and dosing reference
Reference information only. Read before using this section.
AOD-9604 (10 mg Vial) Dosage Protocol
- Vial
- 10 mg AOD-9604
- Add diluent
- 3 mL
- Concentration
- 3.33 mg/mL
- 1 unit (U-100)
- 33.33 mcg in 0.01 mL
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- How often
- Once per day (subcutaneous).
- Typical range
- 300–500 mcg daily with gradual titration.
- Cycle length
- 8–12 weeks.
Standard / Gradual Approach
| Week | Daily Dose (mcg) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–4 | 300 mcg | 9 units (0.09 mL) |
| Weeks 5–12 | 500 mcg | 15 units (0.15 mL) |
How to mix
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming.
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake).
- Label and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light.
Dosing details
- Start: 300 mcg daily for Weeks 1–4; increase to 500 mcg for Weeks 5–12 as tolerated.
- Target: 500 mcg daily by Week 5 and maintain through cycle completion.
- Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous).
- Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks.
- Timing: Morning administration (fasted) is common; rotate injection sites.
Storage
- General peptide guides provide a laboratory handling reference, not a validated shelf life for this AOD-9604 10 mg preparation. The exact product’s documented instructions take precedence.
- Dry powder: Keep lyophilized peptide tightly capped and dry. General laboratory guidance uses a freezer at −4 °F (−20 °C) for frozen storage and advises avoiding repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
- After mixing: Sigma’s general peptide guide describes short-term refrigeration around 39 °F (4 °C), within the refrigerated range shown above. This is not a guarantee of stability for every peptide solution. Keep the vial capped and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
- Light and handling: Protect laboratory peptide preparations from direct light and minimize unnecessary handling.
- No validated use-by period is assigned here. Stability testing needs to match the actual formulation and reconstituted concentration. Refrigeration and bacteriostatic water do not establish this vial’s potency, sterility or a 28-day usable life.
Protocol source: PeptideDosages.com
Common questions
Does AOD-9604 work for weight loss?
The largest human trial found no significant benefit.
Is it like semaglutide?
No. It is a growth hormone fragment, not a GLP-1 agonist.
What does GRAS mean?
Safety under specific food-use conditions, not drug approval.
Found in these blends
Related in Metabolic Health
Sources and further reading (5)
- FDA. AOD-9604 evaluation for the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, Dec 2024.
- Stier H, et al. Safety and tolerability of AOD9604 in humans. J Endocrinol Metab, 2013.
- Heffernan MA, et al. Fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice with hGH fragment. Int J Obes, 2001.
- WADA. 2026 Prohibited List, S2.2.3.
- Source summary: PeptideDosages.com research overview (rewritten for NVO).
Laboratory research material: AOD-9604 Research Use Only