AOD-9604 (Advanced Obesity Drug) is a synthetic peptide fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 176-191) that retains the fat-loss properties of GH without affecting IGF-1, insulin, or blood glucose. It has FDA GRAS status as a food ingredient. This is not medical advice.
Quick Reference: Standard Protocol
| Parameter |
Standard Protocol |
| Dose |
300 mcg/day |
| Route |
Subcutaneous injection (abdominal fat) |
| Timing |
Morning, fasted |
| Frequency |
5 days on, 2 days off |
| Cycle |
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off |
| Vial size |
5 mg |
| Reconstitution |
2 mL bacteriostatic water → 2.5 mg/mL |
| Draw amount |
11 units on insulin syringe |
| Storage |
Refrigerate, use within 28 days |
Standard protocol: 300 mcg SC injection into abdominal fat, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. 5 days on, 2 days off. Wait 20-30 minutes before eating.
For the full AOD-9604 peptide profile, vendor pricing, and stack protocols, see our AOD-9604 peptide page.
Cycling: 8 Weeks On, 8 Weeks Off
Run 300 mcg daily (5 on / 2 off) for 8 weeks, then take 8 weeks off. The weekly break and 8-week cycle help prevent receptor desensitization.
Weeks 1-2: Some users start at 250 mcg daily to assess tolerance. AOD-9604 is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects.
Weeks 3-8: 300 mcg daily, 5 days on / 2 days off.
Timing matters: Inject fasted in the morning to maximize lipolytic signaling. Some users inject 30 minutes before cardio for enhanced fat oxidation. Avoid post-meal injection -- insulin elevation may counteract lipolytic effects.
Some community protocols push doses higher for more aggressive fat loss:
| Parameter |
Enhanced Protocol |
| Dose |
500 mcg/day |
| Route |
Subcutaneous injection |
| Timing |
Morning, fasted |
| Frequency |
5 days on, 2 days off |
| Cycle |
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off |
| Draw amount |
20 units (from 5 mg vial with 2 mL BAC water) |
The 300 mcg standard protocol from the cheat sheet is the recommended starting point. 500 mcg is the upper end referenced in community discussions.
Routes of Administration
Subcutaneous injection (primary): Inject into abdominal fat, love handles, or thighs. Volume is typically 0.1-0.3 mL with an insulin syringe (29-31 gauge).
Oral (research context): Animal studies showed oral activity at 500 mcg/kg, and AOD-9604 has GRAS status as a food ingredient. Community preference remains injectable for more reliable bioavailability.
Intra-articular (emerging): Recent research explored AOD-9604 for joint health, with cartilage-protective effects observed in animal models.
Reconstitution Quick Reference
| Vial Size |
BAC Water |
Concentration |
300 mcg Dose |
| 5 mg |
2 mL |
2.5 mg/mL |
11 units |
Math: 5,000 mcg / 2 mL = 2,500 mcg/mL. For 300 mcg: 300 / 2,500 = 0.12 mL = ~11 units. One vial lasts ~16 doses.
Swirl gently -- do not shake. Refrigerate at 2-8°C and use within 28 days. For step-by-step instructions, see the Reconstitution Calculator.
Where These Numbers Come From
AOD-9604 has a notable research history including animal studies, human clinical trials, and FDA GRAS evaluation.
Animal studies: Both hGH and AOD-9604 reduced body weight gain via increased fat oxidation and plasma glycerol levels without affecting IGF-1 or insulin (Ng et al., 2001). AOD-9604 stimulates lipolysis through beta-3 adrenergic receptor pathways (Heffernan et al., 2001). Oral doses of 500 mcg/kg reduced body weight gain in Zucker rats without affecting lean mass or blood glucose (Ng et al., 2000).
Human clinical context: AOD-9604 progressed through Phase 2 trials. Safety was confirmed with no significant adverse events. Efficacy was mixed -- weight loss observed in initial trials but not replicated in later studies that included intensive diet/exercise programs. No effects on IGF-1, insulin, or glucose were confirmed in humans.
Joint health: Intra-articular AOD-9604 enhanced cartilage regeneration in rabbit OA models, with combined AOD-9604 + hyaluronic acid outperforming either alone (Kwon & Park, 2015).
Stacking AOD-9604
| Stack |
Peptides |
Purpose |
| GH + Fragment |
AOD-9604 300 mcg AM + CJC-1295/Ipamorelin 100/100 mcg PM |
GH secretagogue effects + targeted lipolysis |
| Fat Loss + Recovery |
AOD-9604 300 mcg AM + BPC-157 500 mcg AM/PM |
Body recomposition with joint/tissue support |
| Aggressive Fat Loss |
AOD-9604 300 mcg AM + Tesofensine 0.5 mg oral |
Peripheral lipolysis + central appetite suppression |
Stacking tips: Maintain fasted morning timing for AOD-9604 even when stacking. Separate GH secretagogues to nighttime. Diet remains critical -- AOD-9604 enhances fat loss but doesn't replace a caloric deficit.
Side Effects & Safety
- GRAS status -- FDA Generally Recognized As Safe as a food ingredient
- No GH axis effects -- does not alter IGF-1, insulin, or glucose levels
- Injection site redness -- mild, standard for SC peptides
- Mild headache -- infrequent
- Slight stomach upset -- if injected too close to eating
- Water retention -- rare, unlike full GH
- No diabetogenic effects -- blood sugar neutral, no acromegaly risk
AOD-9604 has one of the cleanest safety profiles in the peptide space due to its GH fragment design. For more detail, see our AOD-9604 benefits guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard AOD-9604 dose?
300 mcg subcutaneously once daily, injected into abdominal fat in the morning on an empty stomach. 5 days on, 2 days off.
How long does AOD-9604 take to work?
Most users report initial effects at 2-4 weeks, with noticeable fat loss at 4-8 weeks. Results depend heavily on diet and exercise -- AOD-9604 is not a standalone solution.
Should I take AOD-9604 on an empty stomach?
Yes -- fasted morning injection is the standard protocol. The rationale is to avoid insulin competition with lipolytic signaling, though this specific interaction hasn't been clinically validated for injectable use.
Does AOD-9604 affect growth hormone levels?
No. AOD-9604 is the C-terminal GH fragment (176-191) that retains lipolytic activity without affecting IGF-1, insulin, or GH levels. This is its primary advantage over full growth hormone therapy.
How long should an AOD-9604 cycle last?
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off is the standard cycle. The 5-on/2-off weekly schedule and 8-week cycle help prevent receptor desensitization.
Can AOD-9604 be taken orally?
Animal studies demonstrated oral activity, and it has GRAS status as a food ingredient. However, injectable use is preferred in the community for more reliable bioavailability.
References
| Citation |
Topic |
PMID |
| Ng et al., International Journal of Obesity (2001) |
Fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice |
11673763 |
| Heffernan et al., Endocrinology (2001) |
Beta-3 AR mechanism, lipid metabolism in obese mice |
11713213 |
| Ng et al., Hormone and Metabolic Research (2000) |
Oral AOD-9604 metabolic effects in Zucker rats |
11146367 |
| Kwon & Park, Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science (2015) |
Intra-articular AOD-9604 for osteoarthritis |
26275694 |
For educational and research purposes only. This is not medical advice. AOD-9604 has GRAS status but is not FDA-approved as a drug. All protocols described are for informational purposes.