What does AOD-9604 do?

AOD-9604 is reported as a synthetic fragment related to the C-terminal portion of human growth hormone, with tyrosine added. It was studied for obesity and fat-loss outcomes, but the supplied evidence says the program did not achieve FDA approval after weight-loss goals were missed.

How does AOD-9604 work?

The proposed mechanism is focused on fat-cell metabolism. The source describes lab and animal evidence for more lipolysis and less lipogenesis, while distinguishing AOD-9604 from full growth hormone by reporting no meaningful IGF-1 increase. The receptor pathway is still described as uncertain.

Is AOD-9604 FDA approved?

No. The source lists AOD-9604 as not FDA approved and says clinical trials were completed without approval. It also reports GRAS status and later FDA category-review activity, including Category 2 removal in Sept 2024 and expected Category 1 reclassification context in 2026.

What side effects are reported for AOD-9604?

The source describes overall tolerability as favorable and lists injection-site reactions, mild headache, and dizziness. It also reports no typical HGH-like side effects and no IGF-1 increase, but those source statements should not be read as a guarantee of individual safety.

What typical dose is reported for AOD-9604?

The community row reports 300 mcg daily, with a 250-500 mcg daily range, usually once daily in the morning while fasted. A research row reports 250-500 mcg daily for 12-24 weeks, with subcutaneous injection or oral administration studied. These are source-reported research and community values, not instructions.

Weight Loss Clinical Trials - human trials under way

AOD-9604

Also known as: Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, Tyr-hGH Fragment 177-191

At a glance

PeptiGuide dataset · reviewed Aug 2026

What it is

Human growth hormone fragment studied for fat-metabolism outcomes

Status

Clinical Trials

Evidence level: human studies

Typical dose

300mcg

Subcutaneous injection or oral administration reported in studies

Researched for

Fat loss, body composition, localized fat reduction

Trial progress

PrePreclinical
IPhase I
IIPhase II
IIIPhase III
IVPhase IV
FDAFDA approved

Phase II - Emerging human evidence with important limitations

Use the tools

In plain language

AOD-9604 is a synthetic human growth hormone fragment with an added tyrosine, researched for fat loss, body composition, and localized fat reduction.
The source reports human trial evidence and generally favorable tolerability observations, including no IGF-1 increase and no glucose-metabolism harm in a cited safety review.
The same evidence says the obesity program did not meet clinically meaningful weight-loss endpoints and did not lead to FDA approval.
Reported source-use patterns include 300 mcg daily, a 250-500 mcg daily range, once-daily fasted morning timing, and or oral studied routes; these are not dosing instructions.

How it's thought to work

AOD-9604 is described as a modified fragment of human growth hormone designed around the hormone's fat-metabolism region rather than the broader growth-hormone activity profile. The source reports lab and animal findings consistent with increased lipolysis and reduced lipogenesis. It also reports no meaningful IGF-1 increase, no glucose-metabolism harm in reviewed human safety evidence, and no settled receptor explanation, so the mechanism remains proposed rather than confirmed.

What the research shows

Where the research stands

The supplied source presents a mixed evidence picture. It describes supportive cell and animal findings for fat-metabolism effects, then reports roughly six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials involving about 900 participants. A cited safety review is summarized as finding good tolerability, no IGF-1 elevation, no glucose-metabolism harm, and no detectable antibodies. However, the source also states that the largest Phase IIb obesity trial did not beat placebo on its main weight-loss endpoint and that Metabolic Pharmaceuticals halted development around 2007.

What it shows

✓ Human studies

Emerging human evidence with important limitations

△ Limitations

Study protocols describe research and are not dosing recommendations.

Bottom line: Clinical trials completed without FDA approval; source also reports Sept 2024 FDA Category 2 removal, expected Category 1 reclassification activity in 2026, and GRAS status. Not FDA approved

Typical dosing

CommunityCommunity dataset

300 mcg

daily

250 mcgfull range seen500 mcg

Community-reported fat-loss research pattern; the source also reports empty-stomach timing and fasted cardio practices, but these are not established dosing guidance.

Research dosing

Study-specific protocolsHuman trials under way - protocols are study-specific

Doses observed in studies

250-500 mcg daily

Research Literature - Observed in studies

Study protocols describe research and are not dosing recommendations.

Duration: 12-24 weeks in studies
Administration: Subcutaneous injection or oral

Timing & administration

Best time to take

Morning, fasted

Once daily, 30 min before breakfast

Food recommendation

Empty-stomach use reported

Why this timing?

The source associates fasted morning timing with AOD-9604's proposed fat-metabolism role. This is a reported convention from the source, not proof that timing changes outcomes.

Possible side effects

Not everyone experiences these. Individual responses vary with dose, duration, and personal factors.

Generally very well-tolerated
Injection-site reactions
Mild headache
Dizziness
Does NOT produce typical HGH side effects
No effect on IGF-1 levels
GRAS status by expert panel

Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity can vary by context, purity, route, and individual health factors.

Sources

PubMed ClinicalTrials.gov FDA.gov

Frequently asked questions

Sequence

H-YLRIVQC(1)RSVEGSC(1)GF-OH; Cys7-Cys14 disulfide

One open dataset

Every fact on this page - doses, side effects, references - comes from the same PeptiGuide dataset that powers the Tracker, Compare, and the Lab.

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Educational resource, not medical advice. Talk to your clinician before acting on anything here.

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AOD-9604

In plain languageIn plain language

How it's thought to workHow it's thought to work

What the research showsWhat the research shows

Typical dosing

Research dosing

Timing & administrationTiming & administration

Possible side effectsPossible side effects

SourcesSources

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions