AOD-9604
Also known as: hGH Fragment 176-191, Advanced Obesity Drug
Modified hGH Fragment | Fat Loss Peptide
Overview
AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 176-191) that stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis without the side effects of full growth hormone. Unlike full GH, it does not increase IGF-1, affect glucose metabolism, or cause insulin resistance.
Key benefits
- Targets fat loss through selective lipolysis
- Avoids growth hormone side effects
- No effect on blood glucose or insulin
- Does not increase IGF-1 levels
- Metabolically safer than full hGH
- Emerging cartilage repair potential
Mechanism of action
Stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis through beta-3 adrenergic receptor upregulation, without binding to the GH receptor. Does not affect glucose metabolism or increase IGF-1 levels.
Molecular data
- Type
- Modified hGH C-terminal fragment
- Half-life
- 3-4 minutes
Sequence
Tyr-Leu-Arg-Ile-Val-Gln-Cys-Arg-Ser-Val-Glu-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Phe
Indications
What the research community uses this compound for, with self-reported effectiveness.
Fat Loss
Lipolysis Enhancement
Most effectiveIncreases fat oxidation, plasma glycerol levels, and reduces body weight in obese models without affecting glucose metabolism.
Lipogenesis Inhibition
EffectiveReduces fat synthesis and storage in adipose tissue.
Metabolic Safety
EffectiveDoes not cause hyperglycemia, reduce insulin secretion, or increase insulin resistance.
Joint Health
Cartilage Repair
EffectiveEnhanced cartilage regeneration when combined with hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis models.
Osteoarthritis Support
ModerateSynergistic effects with hyaluronic acid for joint health.
Dosing protocols
Common protocols by delivery method. Adjust the curve below to model accumulation in your own cycle.
Injectable
Subcutaneous injection is the standard route. Administer in the morning on an empty stomach, wait 30 minutes before eating for optimal results.
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Route / duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat loss - Standard | 250-300mcg | Once daily (morning, fasted) | SubQ |
| Enhanced fat loss | 400-500mcg | Once daily (morning, fasted) | SubQ |
| Joint support | 250mcg | Once daily | SubQ |
| Conservative start | 200mcg | Once daily | SubQ |
Preparation
You will need
- Lyophilized AOD-9604 vial
- Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
- Insulin syringes (0.5-1mL)
- Alcohol swabs
- Sterile work surface
Steps
- Allow vial to reach room temperature (15-20 minutes)
- Calculate required bacteriostatic water volume
- Clean vial stopper with alcohol swab
- Draw BAC water into syringe
- Inject slowly down vial side (not directly onto powder)
- Gently swirl until dissolved (never shake vigorously)
- Store reconstituted solution at 2-8°C
- Use within 28 days
Work out the water volume and syringe units in the reconstitution calculator →
Interactions
Pairwise interactions with other compounds you might be cycling — the same data behind the cycle builder's safety check.
Hyaluronic Acid
SynergisticEnhanced cartilage repair when combined for joint health.
BPC-157
CompatibleDifferent mechanisms; sometimes combined for comprehensive healing.
CJC-1295
CompatibleAOD-9604 doesn't affect GH axis; can be used together.
Ipamorelin
CompatibleDifferent mechanisms; no known interactions.
Semaglutide
CompatibleComplementary weight loss mechanisms through different pathways.
Insulin
CompatibleAOD-9604 doesn't affect glucose metabolism unlike full hGH.
Timeline
Typical week-by-week effects reported in clinical and observational data.
- Week 1-2
Minimal noticeable effects; compound accumulating
- Week 3-4
Subtle body composition changes may begin
- Week 5-8
More noticeable fat loss, especially with diet and exercise
- Week 8-12
Continued fat reduction and improved body composition
Safety
Reported adverse effects, contraindications, and what to monitor on cycle.
Common side effects
- Generally well-tolerated in clinical trials
- Mild injection site reactions possible
- No reported effects on blood glucose or insulin
Stop signs — stop and seek advice
- Severe injection site reactions or infection signs
- Unusual swelling or persistent redness
- Allergic reactions (rare)
- Any concerning or unexpected symptoms
Contraindications
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- WADA prohibited - athletes subject to testing must avoid
Monitoring
- Injection site reactions
- Body composition changes
- General well-being
Quality checks
What a legitimate product looks like, what should give pause, and what should make you stop.
Good signs
- White lyophilized powder with uniform appearance
- Crystal clear solution without particles after reconstitution
- Certificate of Analysis showing >98% purity by HPLC
- Proper cold-chain shipping
Warning signs
- Not FDA approved as a therapeutic drug - research chemical only
- WADA prohibited substance
Stop signs — don't use
- Discolored or clumped powder (yellow indicates degradation)
- Cloudy solution after reconstitution
- Collapsed or moisture-damaged appearance
Recent research
Newer papers and trial readouts on file for this compound, with source and date.
2014 · Drug Testing and Analysis
Detection and in vitro metabolism of AOD9604
Characterized in vitro metabolism and developed detection methods for AOD-9604 as a WADA-prohibited substance, relevant for anti-doping analysis.
References
Primary literature and clinical-trial data informing this entry.
Increase of fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice caused by chronic treatment with human growth hormone or a modified C-terminal fragment
Heffernan MA, Thorburn AW, Fam B, Summers R, Conway-Campbell B, Waters MJ, Ng FM · International Journal of Obesity · 2001
Both hGH and AOD-9604 reduced body weight gain, increased fat oxidation, and stimulated lipolysis in obese ob/ob mice after 14 days chronic IP administration, without affecting glucose metabolism.
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
Heffernan MA, Jiang WJ, Thorburn AW, Ng FM · Endocrinology · 2001
Both hGH and AOD-9604 increased repressed beta-3 adrenergic receptor RNA expression in obese mice to levels comparable with lean mice. Effects abolished in beta-3-AR knockout mice, confirming pathway involvement.
Effects of oral administration of a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone on lipid metabolism
Heffernan MA, Heffernan MJ, Jiang WJ, Thorburn AW, Ng FM · American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism · 2000
Oral treatment of ob/ob mice with AOD-9401 for 30 days significantly reduced body weight gain and altered lipogenic and lipolytic activity in adipose tissue.
Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone
Ng FM, Jiang WJ, Gianello R, Pitt C, Heffernan M · Hormone Research · 2000
Characterized metabolic properties of AOD-9604 as a synthetic lipolytic domain of hGH with antilipogenic activity that does not interact with the GH receptor.
Effect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model
Kwon DR, Park GY, Lee SU · Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science · 2015
Intra-articular AOD-9604 injections enhanced cartilage regeneration in collagenase-induced osteoarthritis rabbit model. Combined AOD-9604 and hyaluronic acid injections were more effective than either alone.
Last updated . How this page was sourced is described in the methodology.