AOD-9604 (Advanced Obesity Drug 9604 / Tyr-hGH Fragment 176-191)
AOD-9604 is a 16-amino-acid fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176-191) that stimulates fat breakdown and blocks new fat formation through beta-3 adrenergic receptors. Unlike full HGH, it doesn't raise IGF-1 or affect glucose. Six human trials showed good safety, but Phase IIb failed its primary weight loss endpoint.
FormBlends Peptide Context
Reviewed May 14, 2026Use Aod 9604 peptide guide as a decision-support page, not a shortcut. Its job is to frame benefits, dosing, evidence strength, sourcing, and safety boundaries in one place, especially where the search overlaps with peptide therapy. A useful reader should leave with better questions about clinician oversight, evidence quality, safety limits, cost, pharmacy path, and what changes for their own health history.
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Clinical decision snapshot
AOD-9604 authority snapshot
AOD-9604 is evaluated by mechanism, evidence quality, regulatory status, practical access, and safety questions a licensed clinician would need to review before use.
Evidence signal
Meaningful evidence with limits
Regulatory reality
Expected to return to Category 1 (compoundable) per HHS announcement, pending formal publication
Safety screen
Injection site reactions (redness, swelling), Mild headaches (typically first few days), Occasional dizziness should be reviewed in context.
This page currently connects to 9 source-backed evidence items through visible references or structured citation data.
Decision path
What is the supervised-review path for AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 should be evaluated by evidence quality, safety status, source quality, dosing context, and whether the goal fits a legitimate clinical pathway. This page is a research and decision aid, not a self-prescribing guide.
- Peptide
- AOD-9604
- Category
- Weight Loss
- Evidence
- Meaningful evidence with limits
- FDA status
- Not FDA approved
Step 1
Check evidence level
AOD-9604 has more human safety data than most research peptides (893+ participants across 6 trials), with tolerability indistinguishable from placebo. The mechanism is well-established through beta-3-AR knockout studies. However, the Phase IIb trial failed its primary endpoint, and all clinical trials used oral dosing, not the subcutaneous injection route that is commonly used today. The safety profile is strong, but the efficacy data for meaningful weight loss is modest at best.
Review evidenceStep 2
Screen safety context
Injection site reactions (redness, swelling), Mild headaches (typically first few days), Occasional dizziness should be discussed in light of history, dose, and source.
Check side effectsStep 3
Confirm access route
If FormBlends offers access, review the product page and provider pathway before deciding.
Review product accessLast updated: April 6, 2026
Typical Dosage
Subcutaneous: 250-500 mcg once daily, administered in the morning on an empty stomach. Clinical trials used 1-30 mg oral doses. The most common community protocol is 300 mcg daily for weeks 1-4, increasing to 500 mcg for weeks 5-12.
Administration
Subcutaneous injection, Oral (clinical trials)
Typical Cost
$40-200/month
FDA Status
Not FDA Approved
Half-Life
Approximately 3 minutes (IV human data). Subcutaneous half-life not well characterized but estimated longer due to depot absorption.
Onset of Action
Fat oxidation increases measurable within days of treatment initiation. Body composition changes typically take 4-8 weeks to become noticeable.
Bioavailability
Approximately 40% oral bioavailability (pig model). Subcutaneous injection provides reliable absorption.
About AOD-9604
AOD-9604 (Advanced Obesity Drug 9604) is a 16-amino-acid synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 176-191 of human growth hormone, with a tyrosine substitution at the N-terminus replacing the native phenylalanine. Its CAS number is 221231-10-3, and its molecular weight is 1,815.10 Da. The key distinction between AOD-9604 and full-length HGH is selectivity. AOD-9604 retains the fat-metabolizing activity of the HGH C-terminal region while completely lacking the growth-promoting, IGF-1-raising, and glucose-disrupting effects of the intact hormone. This was definitively demonstrated in beta-3 adrenergic receptor knockout studies published in Endocrinology (PMID: 11713213): when the beta-3-AR gene was knocked out, AOD-9604 had zero lipolytic effect, confirming that this receptor is the sole mediator of its fat-burning activity. AOD-9604 completed more human clinical trials than most research peptides. Six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies enrolled approximately 893 participants. The Phase IIa trial (12 weeks) showed treated subjects lost an average of 2.8 kg versus 0.8 kg for placebo, more than triple the weight loss. But the larger Phase IIb trial (24 weeks, n=536) produced more modest results that failed to achieve statistical significance for its primary endpoint. Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (Melbourne, Australia) ceased drug development in 2007. On the safety side, results across all trials was excellent. Tolerability was indistinguishable from placebo, with no serious adverse events attributed to AOD-9604 and no participant withdrawals due to treatment-related effects. No impact on insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, IGF-1, or any somatotropic axis parameter was observed. AOD-9604 received FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status as a food/nutraceutical ingredient, which is a separate regulatory pathway from drug approval. In December 2024, the FDA placed AOD-9604 on the Category 2 compounding list, but HHS Secretary Kennedy's February 2026 announcement indicated it would return to Category 1 (compoundable) status. AOD-9604 should not be confused with HGH Fragment 176-191 (the unmodified native sequence). The single tyrosine-for-phenylalanine substitution at the N-terminus improves peptide stability and receptor interaction. Every human safety and efficacy data point comes from AOD-9604 specifically, not the unmodified fragment, which has never been tested in humans. The most common subcutaneous protocol uses 250-500 mcg daily on an empty stomach, though this dosing is community-derived and does not have direct clinical trial equivalence (all human trials used oral administration at 1-30 mg doses). AOD-9604 is frequently stacked with CJC-1295/ipamorelin for body recomposition or with BPC-157 for combined fat loss and tissue repair protocols.
How AOD-9604 Works
AOD-9604 works primarily through upregulation of beta-3 adrenergic receptors (beta-3-AR) in adipose tissue. This was confirmed in knockout studies where beta-3-AR deficient mice showed no lipolytic response to the peptide. The beta-3-AR activation increases cAMP-mediated hormone-sensitive lipase activity, directly stimulating fat breakdown. AOD-9604 also inhibits de novo lipogenesis, preventing new fat storage while existing fat is mobilized. Unlike full-length HGH, it does not stimulate IGF-1 production, does not affect glucose metabolism, and does not carry the growth-promoting or diabetogenic effects of intact growth hormone.
Receptor targets:
Benefits
- Stimulates lipolysis without IGF-1 elevation
- Inhibits new fat formation (lipogenesis)
- No impact on insulin sensitivity or glucose metabolism
- Phase IIa showed triple the weight loss vs placebo (2.8 kg vs 0.8 kg)
- Increases overall fat oxidation rates
- FDA GRAS status for food/nutraceutical use
- Well-tolerated across 893+ clinical trial participants with safety indistinguishable from placebo
What Does the Research Say?
AOD-9604 has more human safety data than most research peptides (893+ participants across 6 trials), with tolerability indistinguishable from placebo. The mechanism is well-established through beta-3-AR knockout studies. However, the Phase IIb trial failed its primary endpoint, and all clinical trials used oral dosing, not the subcutaneous injection route that is commonly used today. The safety profile is strong, but the efficacy data for meaningful weight loss is modest at best.
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 · DOI · PubMed
Confirmed beta-3 adrenergic receptor as the required receptor for AOD-9604 lipolytic action; knockout mice were completely unresponsive
Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone
Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, 2000 · PubMed
Demonstrated AOD-9604 stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis in obese Zucker rats without any diabetogenic effects
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 · PubMed
Chronic AOD-9604 treatment increased fat oxidation and reduced body weight in obese mice without affecting IGF-1 levels
PubMed evidence trail
Research sources used to frame this page
For AOD-9604, FormBlends checks the page topic against primary trials, systematic reviews, guidelines, and current PubMed-indexed literature where available. These citations are context, not a claim that every study applies to every patient.
Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
Background source for ipamorelin selectivity and GH-secretagogue mechanism.
PubMed
The growth hormone secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation
Preclinical context that should not be overstated as consumer clinical evidence.
PubMed
Emerging pharmacotherapies for obesity: A systematic review
Broad context for new and established obesity-drug categories.
PubMed
Glucagon-like receptor agonists and next-generation incretin-based medications
Current review for incretin-based obesity medications and cardiometabolic effects.
PubMed
Potential Side Effects
- Injection site reactions (redness, swelling)
- Mild headaches (typically first few days)
- Occasional dizziness
- Mild GI symptoms (diarrhea, flatulence, nausea)
- Fatigue during initial treatment
Drug Interactions
| Compound | Interaction | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes medications (insulin, metformin) | Although AOD-9604 did not affect glucose in trials, combining with glucose-lowering agents warrants blood glucose monitoring. | minor |
| Thyroid medications (levothyroxine) | Both affect metabolic rate and fat metabolism. Ensure thyroid status is stable before starting AOD-9604. | minor |
Who Is AOD-9604 For?
Women
No sex-specific contraindications identified in clinical trial data. Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data.
Adults Over 50
Generally favorable safety profile across ages in clinical trials. No specific dosing adjustments recommended. May complement age-related metabolic slowdown protocols.
Athletes
Not currently on WADA's prohibited list specifically, but athletes should verify with their governing body. The HGH fragment class may be subject to interpretation under anti-doping rules.
Regulatory Status
FDA Approved
No
Compounding Legal
No
2026 HHS Status
Expected to return to Category 1 (compoundable) per HHS announcement, pending formal publication
AOD-9604 was placed on the FDA Category 2 list in December 2024 (not eligible for compounding). HHS Secretary Kennedy announced in February 2026 that approximately 14 peptides including AOD-9604 would return to Category 1 (compoundable), but the formal FDA reclassification has not yet been officially published.
Last verified: 2026-04-06
Stacking Options
AOD-9604 is commonly stacked with the following peptides for enhanced results:
Conditions Addressed
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