AOD-9604
A modified fragment of human growth hormone developed to preserve proposed fat-metabolism effects without the growth-promoting and diabetogenic activity of full-length HGH.
AOD-9604 at a glance
A fragment built around a metabolic hypothesis
C-terminal fragment
AOD-9604 is based on residues 177–191 of HGH with an added tyrosine. It is not the same as HGH and is not a GH secretagogue.
Lipolysis research
Animal and cell work suggested increased fat breakdown and reduced fat formation without the broad anabolic signaling of intact GH.
No IGF-1 goal
The development strategy aimed to avoid raising IGF-1. That may reduce some GH-class concerns but does not prove efficacy or long-term safety.
Oral ambition
Developers explored oral dosing—unusual for a peptide. Human pharmacokinetic information remains limited and route-specific claims are uncertain.
Suggested graphic: full HGH versus the AOD-9604 fragment and intended pathway · 1500 × 900
The obesity program reached the decisive test—and missed
What looked encouraging
- Obese-animal studies reported increased lipolysis
- Early human studies explored oral and intravenous routes
- Some dose-finding signals encouraged larger development
- It was intended to avoid IGF-1 and glucose liabilities of HGH
What the larger trial found
- 536 adults with obesity entered the OPTIONS study
- Diet and exercise were incorporated
- Weight loss versus placebo was not statistically significant
- Primary and secondary 12- and 24-week endpoints failed
- Obesity development was terminated
| Claim | Evidence | Best interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Promotes lipolysis | Primarily preclinical | Mechanistically interesting |
| Causes human weight loss | Large obesity study negative | Not demonstrated |
| Works without diet | No reliable evidence | Unsupported |
| Does not raise IGF-1 | Development characteristic | Does not guarantee safety |
| Targets injection-site fat | No credible human evidence | Local-fat claim unsupported |
Suggested graphic: promising preclinical work → early studies → failed OPTIONS trial · 1500 × 900
Community protocols persist despite the trial result
Commonly discussed
- Range: 250–500 mcg subcutaneously daily
- Timing: fasted morning or before cardio
- Cycles: commonly 8–12 weeks
- Higher use: 500 mcg twice daily in some discussions
- Stacks: GLP-1 drugs, carnitine, or other fat-loss agents
What users believe
- Mobilizes stubborn fat without HGH effects
- Supports fasted training
- Preserves glucose control
- Targets abdominal or local fat
- Works gradually without appetite suppression
A practical 5 mg example
2 mg vial
Liquid2 mL
Per unit10 mcg
250 mcg25 units
5 mg vial
Liquid2 mL
Per unit25 mcg
500 mcg20 units
10 mg vial
Liquid4 mL
Per unit25 mcg
250 mcg10 units
“No HGH effects” is not a safety certificate
FDA concerns
There is no FDA-approved AOD-9604 drug. FDA identifies compounded AOD-9604 as potentially presenting significant immunogenicity, impurity, and characterization risks, with limited safety information and serious adverse-event reports whose causality is unclear.
Practical considerations
- Injection-site irritation, headache, nausea, fatigue, or flushing are discussed
- Product identity, purity, sterility, endotoxin, and storage are major variables
- Long-term injected-use safety is not established
- WADA’s 2026 Prohibited List includes AOD-9604 as a GH fragment
- Tested athletes should treat it as prohibited at all times
Common questions about AOD-9604
Is AOD-9604 HGH?
Did it work in human obesity trials?
Does it target belly fat?
Is AOD-9604 FDA approved?
Is it banned in sport?
Where this information comes from
Explore related roadmap pages
A clever mechanism still has to survive a real trial.
AOD-9604 remains biologically interesting, but its reputation as a proven fat-loss peptide conflicts with the human development record.