AOD-9604
Also known as: Anti-Obesity Drug 9604 · HGH Fragment 176-191
AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid fragment of human growth hormone, specifically the C-terminal lipolytic region. Marketed for fat loss without the IGF-1 elevation or hyperglycaemia of full HGH. Failed Phase 2b in 2007 for obesity but persists in the research-peptide and stack-curious community.
Last reviewed · Panya.health editorial
Panya scores vendors against an 11-signal rubric. Vendors at or above 70 out of 100 are routable; below 70 are documented but get no Panya affiliate link. For prescription peptides like Mounjaro and Wegovy, Panya routes today through licensed clinicians. For research peptides like AOD-9604, vendor scorecards land in a follow-up sprint after legal review and payment processor selection. Until then, the page surfaces commonly-mentioned vendor names so adults can do their own diligence. We do not yet earn commission on any AOD-9604 vendor.
Not medical advice. AOD-9604 is not approved for human medical use in most jurisdictions. The data below is what users do; it is not what regulators have validated. You decide your risk profile.
What it does, and how
AOD-9604 corresponds to amino acids 176 to 191 of human growth hormone, which Frank Ng's lab in Australia identified as the lipolytic active region. The peptide stimulates lipolysis (fat breakdown) and inhibits lipogenesis (fat storage) without binding the GH receptor in the way that drives IGF-1 elevation, fluid retention, or insulin resistance. Mechanism is incompletely characterised; recent work suggests it acts through beta-3 adrenergic receptors on adipocytes. Phase 2b trial (Metabolic Pharmaceuticals 2007, ~500 obese subjects, 24 weeks) showed AOD-9604 safe but did not separate from placebo on weight loss endpoint. Despite the failed trial, the peptide remained on the research-chem market and got popular in body-composition niches.
Typical practice
Community practice runs 250 to 500 mcg per day, subcutaneous, often timed before fasted cardio in the morning. Cycles 8 to 12 weeks. Reconstitution typically 5 mg vial in 2 to 5 mL bacteriostatic water. Some users dose intra-injection-site near visible fat depots on the theory of localised lipolysis; the evidence for site-specific effect is weak. AOD-9604 is sometimes stacked with ipamorelin/CJC-1295 for the GH-axis lipolytic synergy, though no human data validates the stack specifically.
The dosing above is community practice, not a regulator-validated protocol. Trial-validated dosing for AOD-9604 in humans does not exist for most use cases listed.
Risks and contraindications
Phase 2b trial reported AOD-9604 as well-tolerated at 1 mg per day for 24 weeks; main adverse events were headache and nasopharyngitis at rates similar to placebo. Theoretical risks: as a GH fragment, AOD-9604 doesn't appear to drive IGF-1 elevation, but long-term human safety data above therapeutic ranges is sparse. Pregnancy: avoid. The bigger practical risk is that the peptide's failed efficacy trial means users are paying for a fat-loss benefit that randomised data did not demonstrate. Consider this signal seriously when budgeting a stack.
Where this stands legally
Not FDA-approved. Sold as research chemical. Sometimes available through US 503A compounding pharmacies for off-label weight management.
Not licensed by MHRA. Research-chemical category.
Not on EMA's approved list. Research-chemical category.
Originally developed at Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (Australian company). TGA does not license AOD-9604 for human use.
Available through some Bangkok wellness and weight-management clinics. Not formally scheduled.
Where users say they source it
Names below are sourced from community discussion. None are currently scored against the Panya 11-signal rubric. Panya does not earn commission on any of these. You can search them yourself; treat the list as a starting point for your own diligence, not an endorsement.
- Pure RawzPending Panya 11-signal audit
- Limitless LifePending Panya 11-signal audit
- Amino AsylumPending Panya 11-signal audit
- Bangkok weight-management clinicsPending Panya 11-signal audit
- US compounding pharmacies (intermittently)Pending Panya 11-signal audit
Full vendor scorecards for AOD-9604 land in a follow-up sprint after lawyer review and payment processor selection. We will not route users to any vendor that scores below 70 on the rubric.
Papers worth reading directly
- Heffernan et al. — The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism. Endocrinology, 2001 →
- Ng — AOD9604: a fragment of growth hormone with lipolytic activity. Drug News Perspect, 2000 →
- Metabolic Pharmaceuticals — AOD9604 Phase 2b obesity trial results. Press release, 2007 →
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Adjacent reading
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