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AOD-9604

Last reviewed: April 18, 2026 by The Peptide Catalog Team

A fat loss peptide that targets stubborn fat without affecting blood sugar or growth. AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (HGH fragment 176-191) studied for fat metabolism and weight loss. It mimics GH's lipolytic effects without affecting blood sugar or growth. Previously in clinical trials for obesity; now popular in research settings.

CategoryWeight Loss & Metabolic Peptides
Classmetabolic
GoalFat Loss
Overview

Core Benefits

Key Advantages
Lipolytic GH fragment
Targets stubborn fat areas like abdomen and hips.
No GH-related side effects
Doesn't drive insulin resistance or growth like full GH.
Blood sugar neutral
Doesn't affect glucose like full GH does.
Body composition support
Modest fat distribution shifts over 6–8 weeks.
Thin human data
Trials promising — full benefit case still emerging.
GH fragment 176-191
Lipolytic region of growth hormone — no growth effects.

These are educational summaries of commonly discussed effects in wellness/regenerative contexts, not guarantees.

AOD-9604 Results Timeline

Progression
1
Week 1–2
Physical Changes
Subtle fat mobilization begins
Performance & Recovery
Minimal direct performance effects
Other Benefits
No significant hunger or sleep changes
2
Week 3–4
Physical Changes
Early reduction in stubborn fat areas
Performance & Recovery
Slight improvement in body composition
Other Benefits
No blood sugar or growth effects
3
Week 5–6
Physical Changes
Visible fat loss, improved body shape
Performance & Recovery
Better physical appearance
Other Benefits
Localized fat reduction (abdomen, hips)
4
Week 7–8
Physical Changes
Peak fat reduction for the cycle
Performance & Recovery
Improved body composition
Other Benefits
End of 8-week cycle; take 8 weeks off before repeating

Timeline is illustrative and non-guaranteed. Outcomes vary and are commonly discussed alongside training, nutrition, sleep, and cycling practices.

Read the full AOD-9604 results timeline →

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Evidence at a glance

Two parallel grades per outcome — clinical RCT depth and real-world community adoption. See the Research Overview below for citations and detail.

OutcomeClinical EvidenceCommunity Evidence
Fat oxidation in obese miceModerateWeak
Body weight reduction in humans (Phase 2)WeakWeak
Cartilage / joint repair (TGA cosmetic only)PreliminaryWeak
How It WorksFat Loss Peptide — HGH Fragment

Target → Lipolytic Signal → Fat Metabolism → Outcomes

1
Target

Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptors on Adipose Tissue

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 176-191). It retains GH's fat-mobilizing properties while lacking the growth-promoting and blood-sugar-affecting actions. It directly targets fat cells without affecting IGF-1 or insulin levels.

2
Cellular Signal

Lipolysis Activation Without IGF-1 Elevation

Stimulates lipolysis (fat breakdown) in adipose tissue through a mechanism similar to natural GH, but without triggering IGF-1 production or affecting glucose metabolism. This selective action is why AOD-9604 is considered a "fat-only" GH fragment.

3
Systemic Effect

Targeted Fat Mobilization → No Anabolic Effects

Fat mobilization and oxidation without the muscle-building, growth, or blood sugar effects of full GH. Does not cause insulin resistance or affect blood sugar — making it suitable for those who want fat loss without the broader hormonal effects of GH peptides.

4
What You Notice

Gradual Fat Loss → No Other Hormonal Effects

Gradual fat reduction over weeks to months, particularly effective when combined with fasted training. No changes in muscle mass, sleep, or other GH-related effects — this is purely a fat-loss peptide. Effects are more subtle than full GH peptides.

What Makes This Peptide Different

AOD-9604 is unique as a fat-only GH fragment. Unlike full GH peptides (CJC-1295, Ipamorelin) that affect sleep, muscle, recovery AND fat, AOD-9604 isolates just the lipolytic effect. It doesn't raise IGF-1, doesn't affect blood sugar, and doesn't build muscle. This makes it ideal for those who specifically want fat loss without broader hormonal changes.

Research overview

Outcome-by-outcome look at what the evidence actually supports for AOD-9604, including human vs. animal study counts and our editorial take on each.

Fat oxidation in obese animal models

Clinical:ModerateCommunity:Weak

Heffernan 2001 showed that AOD-9604 (a C-terminal hGH fragment) increased fat oxidation in obese ob/ob mice without affecting linear growth or hGH-mediated insulin resistance. The molecule was rationally designed to retain hGH's lipolytic action without growth/IGF-1 effects. The animal data are clean — but the human translation never delivered.

0 human studies · 6 animal studies

Key findings & citations
  • Heffernan 2001: chronic AOD-9604 reduced body weight in ob/ob mice via fat oxidation.
  • No effect on linear growth (no IGF-1 elevation).
  • Mechanism: hGH lipolytic fragment retaining β3-AR signaling.

Our take

The mouse data is genuine. The human story is the cautionary half — multiple Phase 2 trials in humans missed primary endpoints and Metabolic Pharmaceuticals abandoned it.

Body weight reduction in humans

Clinical:WeakCommunity:Weak

Metabolic Pharmaceuticals ran multiple Phase 2 trials in obese adults during the early-to-mid 2000s. The 12-week trial showed modest 2.6 kg weight loss vs 0.8 kg placebo, but the pivotal 24-week trial in 536 subjects failed its primary endpoint, leading to development discontinuation. None of the Phase 2 trials were published as primary peer-reviewed papers in PubMed-indexed venues.

2 human studies · 6 animal studies

Key findings & citations
  • 12-week trial: 2.6 kg loss at 1 mg/d vs 0.8 kg placebo (modest).
  • 24-week pivotal Phase 2 (n=536): missed primary endpoint.
  • Development terminated 2007.
  • No primary peer-reviewed publications of human trials in PubMed.

Our take

Despite community marketing claims, the human evidence is thin and the pivotal trial failed. Don't expect GLP-1-class results.

What AOD-9604 doesn't do

Claims that current evidence does not support. Worth knowing before you set expectations.

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Dosing ProtocolFat Loss

Educational reference only. Individual responses vary. Consult healthcare provider before use.

Vial Size
5 mg
Reconstitution
2 ml BAC water
Dose
300 mcg (11 units on 1ml syringe)
Timing
AM (fasted)
Frequency
5 days on, 2 days off
Duration
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off
Protocol Notes
Best taken fasted in morning for fat burning. Does not affect blood sugar or IGF-1.

Why This Dosing Protocol

Why fasted, in the morning? AOD-9604 stimulates lipolysis. Taking it fasted in the morning maximizes fat oxidation — insulin is already low from overnight fasting, and morning activity further drives fat utilization.

Why it doesn't affect blood sugar:Unlike full GH (which causes insulin resistance), AOD-9604 lacks the amino acid sequences responsible for glucose effects. This is by design — it's specifically the fat-loss fragment.
Full Dosing GuideReconstitution CalculatorCycle Cost Calculator

Reconstitution Calculator

Dilution math and unit conversions. Prefilled using a common vial size for this peptide.

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Storage & Handling

Storage at a glance

Proper storage temperatures, shelf life, reconstitution best practices, and travel tips for lyophilized and reconstituted peptides.

Powder: Freezer
1+ year at -20°C
Reconstituted: Fridge
4 weeks max at 2-8°C
View Complete Storage Guide

Handling specifics

Educational overview on storage, labeling, and traceability considerations for lab environments. Consult primary literature and vendor documentation for specifics.

Powder storage (very stable)
  • Freezer (-20°C): 1+ year
  • Refrigerator (2-8°C): 1-3 months
  • Room temperature: 2-3 weeks (emergency only)
Reconstituted storage (fragile)
  • MUST refrigerate at 2-8°C
  • 4-week maximum shelf life
  • NEVER freeze after reconstitution
  • Use bacteriostatic water for multi-dose
Molecular Structure

AOD-9604 sequence

Click any residue to see its properties.

HydrophobicPolarAcidic (−)Basic (+)Special

Sequence-derived properties

Length
16 residues
Molecular weight
1817.1 Da
backbone only
Avg hydrophobicity
0.30
Kyte–Doolittle scale

Residue classes

Hydrophobic: 5 (31%)Polar: 4 (25%)Acidic (−): 1 (6%)Basic (+): 2 (13%)Special: 4 (25%)

Net charge distribution

Positive2 (13%)
Neutral13 (81%)
Negative1 (6%)

Amino acid frequency

C×2G×2R×2S×2V×2E×1F×1I×1L×1Q×1

Modifications

  • Tyrosine added to N-terminus
  • hGH 177–191 fragment

Sequence and properties provided for educational reference. Not for clinical dosing decisions.

  • Length: 16 amino acids
    (C-terminal fragment of HGH.)
  • Origin: HGH 176-191
    (Modified growth hormone fragment.)
  • Mechanism: Lipolysis
    (Fat burning without growth effects.)
  • Primary Use: Fat loss
    (Targets stubborn fat areas.)
Peptide sequence
Tyr-Leu-Arg-Ile-Val-Gln-Cys-Arg-Ser-Val-Glu-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Phe
This fragment contains the lipolytic (fat-burning) region of HGH without the growth-promoting portions. The added tyrosine (Tyr) at position 1 stabilizes the peptide.
Key takeaway: AOD-9604 isolates the fat-burning mechanism of growth hormone without affecting blood sugar or promoting growth. It specifically targets stubborn fat areas like the abdomen and hips without the side effects of full HGH therapy.

FAQ

What is AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (specifically the C-terminus, amino acids 176-191). It was developed to isolate GH's fat-burning properties without effects on blood sugar or growth. It mimics GH's lipolytic (fat-burning) mechanism.

Is AOD-9604 FDA approved?

AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved for weight loss. It went through clinical trials for obesity but didn't achieve approval. However, it remains popular in research settings and is available in some countries for specific uses.

How does AOD-9604 burn fat?

AOD-9604 stimulates lipolysis (fat breakdown) and inhibits lipogenesis (fat formation) by mimicking the fat-burning portion of growth hormone. It activates beta-3 adrenergic receptors in fat tissue, triggering the release of stored fatty acids for energy. Unlike full GH, it doesn't affect blood sugar or promote cell growth.

Does AOD-9604 affect blood sugar like growth hormone?

No, this is AOD-9604's key advantage. Full growth hormone can cause insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar, but AOD-9604 was specifically designed to isolate the fat-burning effects without the metabolic side effects. Studies show it doesn't affect glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity.

What is the typical AOD-9604 dosage?

A common research dosage is 300 mcg per day, administered in the morning on an empty stomach to maximize fat oxidation (5 days on, 2 days off). Cycles typically run 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off. AOD-9604 does not affect blood sugar or IGF-1 levels, which is its key advantage over full growth hormone.

Can AOD-9604 be combined with other peptides?

Yes, AOD-9604 is often stacked with other fat loss or GH-related peptides. Common combinations include CJC-1295/Ipamorelin for GH benefits plus targeted fat loss, or with Tesamorelin for enhanced visceral fat reduction. Some combine it with Frag 176-191, though they have similar mechanisms.

What are the side effects of AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects. Some users report injection site reactions (redness, slight swelling), headache, or mild flu-like symptoms initially. Unlike full GH, it doesn't cause water retention, joint pain, or blood sugar issues. Long-term safety data is limited.

How long does it take to see results with AOD-9604?

Most users report noticeable fat loss effects within 4-8 weeks of consistent use. Results vary based on diet, exercise, and individual metabolism. It works best when combined with a caloric deficit and regular exercise. Don't expect dramatic overnight changes — it enhances fat metabolism rather than causing rapid weight loss.

How long does reconstituted peptide last?

Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, peptides remain stable for up to 4 weeks when refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Unopened powder can last 1+ year in the freezer. Get our complete Storage & Travel Guide.

Is this peptide legal to purchase?

Peptides sold "for research purposes only" are legal to purchase in the US, but are not FDA-approved for human use outside of specific medical applications. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.

New to peptides?

Take our Peptide Match tool to find the best peptide for your goals. You can also read our Complete Guide to Peptides to learn the basics.

Scientific Sources

The following peer-reviewed studies and official resources provide additional scientific context for this peptide:

AOD-9604 Research Articles

guides

AOD-9604 Dosage Chart: 300mcg/Day Fat Loss Protocol

Most run 300mcg but miss the fasted timing that matters most. Covers 250-500mcg protocols, cycling, reconstitution, and stacking.

results

AOD-9604 Results: Week-by-Week Timeline

Most users see nothing until week 4 — and one factor determines if AOD-9604 works at all. Realistic 12-week timeline with what to expect.

benefits

AOD-9604: GH Fat Loss Without the Risks

AOD-9604's strongest evidence isn't weight loss — it's what it doesn't do. 5 research-backed effects with cited studies and dosing context.

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Disclosure: we may earn affiliate commission from qualifying purchases. Educational information only — not medical advice.