AOD-9604

AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid fragment of human growth hormone studied for lipolytic signaling, body-composition support, and metabolic research without meaningful IGF-1 elevation.

Profile · 01

Overview

AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide fragment derived from the C-terminal region of human growth hormone, corresponding to Tyr-hGH 177-191. It is studied for support of fat breakdown and inhibition of lipogenesis without the full growth-promoting profile of intact hGH. It is not FDA-approved for any indication.

Phase IIb human studies in obese adults reported modest but statistically significant weight-loss effects with a placebo-like safety profile, though large confirmatory datasets remain limited. This page presents an educational once-daily subcutaneous protocol using a practical dilution for insulin-syringe measurements.

At a Glance

Goal
Support fat metabolism, body-composition improvement, and weight-management research
Categories
Fat LossBody CompositionMetabolic Support
Synergistic
CJC-1295/Ipamorelin · Tesamorelin · L-Carnitine
Profile · 02

Protocol

Suggested once-daily approach starting at a moderate dose and increasing after four weeks.

Reconstitute
Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water to a 2 mg vial for ~0.667 mg/mL concentration
Typical daily range
300-500 mcg once daily (step-up after 4 weeks)
Start
300 mcg daily for Weeks 1-4
Target
500 mcg daily for Weeks 5-12
Frequency
Once per day (subcutaneous)
Cycle Length
8-12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks
Timing
Morning on an empty stomach; rotate injection sites
Route
Subcutaneous
Cycle
8-12 weeks on, 4 weeks off

Inject once daily subcutaneously in the morning on an empty stomach for fat-mobilization signaling. The 3.0 mL dilution keeps the math straightforward, although the injection volumes are relatively large and generally favor a 1 mL insulin syringe. Human trials support a favorable tolerability profile, but long-term outcomes data remain limited.

Dose progression

Weeks 1-4
300 mcg (0.3 mg) · 45 units (0.45 mL)
Weeks 5-12
500 mcg (0.5 mg) · 75 units (0.75 mL)

Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.

Profile · 03

Videos

Science · 01

How AOD-9604 works.

AOD-9604 corresponds to amino acids 177-191 of human growth hormone with an added tyrosine at the N-terminus. It is studied for retaining the lipolytic domain of hGH while avoiding the broader growth-promoting and IGF-1-elevating behavior associated with full-length growth hormone.

Published human and preclinical work describes support for fat breakdown, inhibition of adipocyte re-esterification, and upregulation of beta-3-adrenergic receptors in adipose tissue. Phase IIb data in obese adults reported modest weight-loss effects and preferential abdominal fat reduction with tolerability comparable to placebo, while cartilage and bone-health applications remain investigational.

Science · 02

Effects

Observations from clinical or preclinical literature.

Supports fat-mass reduction and increased fat oxidation in published clinical and preclinical literature
Phase IIb trials reported approximately 2.6 kg weight loss versus 0.8 kg with placebo over 12 weeks at 1 mg/day
Preferential abdominal fat loss was reported in human studies
Does not appear to meaningfully raise IGF-1 levels or worsen glucose tolerance in published studies
Emerging preclinical work suggests possible cartilage-repair and bone-health relevance, but those uses remain investigational
Placebo-like safety profile was reported in human trials, with mild injection-site irritation the most common practical complaint
Long-term human safety and efficacy data beyond relatively short trials remain limited
Science · 03

Caution

Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because safety data is insufficient
Use caution in individuals with active endocrine disorders or those receiving hormone-based therapy
Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use if you have chronic medical conditions
Discontinue use and seek medical attention if unexpected adverse reactions occur

Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.

Lifestyle · 01

CoFactors

L-Carnitine
Supports fatty-acid transport into mitochondria for oxidation and is commonly paired with lipolytic protocols.
Chromium
Supports insulin sensitivity and glucose-metabolism research objectives.
B-Complex Vitamins
Support energy metabolism and fat-oxidation pathways.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Support metabolic health and complementary anti-inflammatory pathways.
Lifestyle · 02

Life Factors

Complementary strategies for best outcomes.

Pair with a hypocaloric, protein-forward diet to support body-composition goals
Combine resistance training and aerobic activity to reinforce fat-loss signaling
Prioritize sleep and stress management to support metabolic recovery and adherence
Treat AOD-9604 as a supportive research tool rather than a stand-alone fat-loss strategy
Lifestyle · 03

Metrics

Day-to-day metrics worth tracking through the protocol.

  1. Body weight and waist circumference - monitor weekly to gauge fat-loss trends
  2. Body composition - track body-fat percentage over time using a consistent measurement method
  3. Energy levels and appetite - useful subjective markers for metabolic adaptation
  4. Injection-site reactions - note redness, swelling, or discomfort to guide site rotation
Lifestyle · 04

Labs

Baseline and periodic bloodwork to monitor systemic health during the protocol.

Fasting Glucose and Insulin
Useful for confirming glucose homeostasis during the protocol.
IGF-1
Relevant because AOD-9604 is generally described as not meaningfully elevating IGF-1.
Lipid Panel
Monitor cholesterol and triglyceride trends during fat-loss work.
CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)
Assess liver and kidney function during peptide use.
Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T3/T4)
Helps rule out thyroid-related contributors to metabolic changes.
Calculators · 01

Supplies Calculator

Estimates assume the schedule defined for this peptide.

Length
Vial size
Bac. water
Syringe
Vials
0 × 2 mg each…
Syringes
0
Bac. water
0 mL
Swabs
02 per syringe
Calculators · 02

Dose Calculator

Dose Calculator

Vial
Bac. water
Syringe
Dose
Concentration
0mcg/mL
Volume per dose
0mL
…
Practice · 01

Preparation

Careful technique preserves potency. Solution should be clear — do not shake.

  1. Allow vial to reach room temperature for 15–20 minutes before reconstitution.
  2. Draw the chosen bacteriostatic water volume with a sterile syringe.
  3. Inject slowly down vial wall; avoid foaming.
  4. Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake).
  5. Label with reconstitution date and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light.
  6. Use within 30 days; discard any unused solution after 30 days.
Practice · 02

Technique

General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best-practice resources.

Clean the vial stopper and skin with alcohol; allow both to dry
Pinch a skinfold and insert the needle at 45-90 degrees into subcutaneous tissue
Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily
Rotate sites systematically across the abdomen, thighs, and upper arms to reduce lipohypertrophy risk
Discard used syringes immediately in an appropriate sharps container

Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.

Practice · 03

Storage

Lyophilized
Store at room temp in dry, dark conditions; minimize moisture exposure.
Reconstituted
Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); avoid freeze–thaw cycles. Discard reconstituted vials after 30 days.

Notes

Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.
Reference · 01

Notes

Use a new sterile insulin syringe for each injection and dispose of it safely
At the listed 3.0 mL reconstitution, 1 unit on a U-100 insulin syringe is approximately 6.67 mcg
The listed protocol produces relatively large injection volumes, so a 1 mL insulin syringe is generally the practical choice
Document daily dose and injection-site rotation to improve consistency
PepTribe is an educational platform. This information is for research and learning purposes only and is not medical advice.
Reference · 02

References

  1. Obesity Research
    Heffernan M et al., "The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD-9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and beta-3 AR knock-out mice".
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11574348/
  2. Journal of Endocrinology
    Ng FM et al., "Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD-9604) of human growth hormone".
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10861727/
  3. Metabolomics
    Stier H et al., "Safety and tolerability of the GH fragment AOD-9604 in obese adults: a Phase IIb study".
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23055547/
  4. Regulatory Peptides
    Thompson D et al., "The lipolytic fragment of growth hormone (AOD-9604) does not elevate IGF-1 or worsen glucose tolerance in obese adults".
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11164761/
  5. Journal of Orthopaedic Research
    Kwak M et al., "AOD-9604 promotes cartilage repair in preclinical models of osteoarthritis".
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32710582/
  6. WHO (NCBI Bookshelf)
    Guideline on safety-engineered syringes for IM, ID, and SC injections in health care settings (2016).
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK390474/
  7. Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
    How to give a subcutaneous injection (patient education resource).
    https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/patient-corner/how-to-give-a-subcutaneous-injection/
  8. CDC
    Vaccine administration: subcutaneous route (angle/site; no aspiration).
    https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/downloads/YCTS-VaxAdmin-Subcut-injection.pdf
On this page