AOD-9604

From Retapedia, the free peptide encyclopedia
Medical disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before considering any compound discussed below. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Summary

What it does
AOD-9604 is used for fat loss and weight loss. It was developed as an obesity drug, but a 24-week trial in 536 obese adults found no significant weight loss compared with a placebo (a dummy treatment), and development stopped.
How it works
A small lab-made piece of human growth hormone, usually injected under the skin; clinical trials gave it by mouth. It was designed to keep the hormone's fat-breakdown action without its effects on growth or blood sugar.
WADA status
Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Drug-tested athletes cannot use it.

AOD-9604 (also known as AOD9604 or Tyr-hGH(177-191)) is a modified peptide studied for its effects on fat loss, weight loss, and growth hormone. AOD-9604 is a modified growth hormone fragment developed as an obesity drug; a 24-week trial found no weight-loss benefit. Prohibited by WADA under S2.

AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid fragment of the C-terminal end of human growth hormone (residues 177-191 with an added N-terminal tyrosine, Tyr-hGH177-191), developed by the Australian company Metabolic Pharmaceuticals as an anti-obesity drug. It was designed to keep the fat-reducing (lipolytic) activity of growth hormone without its effects on growth, blood sugar or IGF-1, and human safety studies found no rise in serum IGF-1 and no worsening of glucose tolerance. Oral AOD-9604 produced modest weight loss in an early 12-week obesity trial, but a 24-week trial in 536 obese adults found no significant weight loss compared with placebo, and development as an obesity drug was stopped.

Natty status
AOD-9604 is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places the athlete in the enhanced category. See § Natty status.
Contents [hide]
  1. 1 Overview
  2. 2 Mechanism of action
  3. 3 Reported effects
  4. 4 Dosage and administration
  5. 5 Natty status
  6. 6 Research
  7. 7 Related compounds
  8. 8 Frequently asked questions
  9. 9 References
  10. 10 External links

Overview

No regulatory health authority has approved it for therapeutic use, and in December 2024 the FDA proposed not adding it to the list of bulk substances US pharmacies may use for compounding.

Growth hormone fragments are prohibited by WADA at all times under class S2 of the Prohibited List, which names AOD-9604 as an example.

Mechanism of action

Growth hormone fragment designed to promote fat breakdown without effects on growth, blood sugar, or IGF-1. A 24-week obesity trial found no significant weight loss over placebo.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

  • AOD-9604 was in phase IIa trials as a potential obesity treatment by February 2002. [1] Phase II

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

⚠
Dosage information is included for encyclopedic purposes only. Retapedia does not provide medical advice. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

General

  • No approved human dose exists; it is not approved for therapeutic use in any country
  • Clinical trials (obesity): oral doses taken once daily for 12 to 24 weeks; 1 mg daily performed best in a 12-week trial, but a 24-week trial at 0.25-1 mg daily found no significant weight loss over placebo

Safety studies

  • single intravenous doses of 25-400 µg/kg in healthy and obese men

Research

  • market vials are lyophilized powder for reconstitution and subcutaneous injection

Natty status

See also: Peptide § Natty status

AOD-9604 is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.[2] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

No registered human trials on ClinicalTrials.gov, in any status
View on ClinicalTrials.gov · fetched Oct 24, 2026

The peptide has been the subject of 4 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

5-Amino-1MQ Not natty
Oral small-molecule NNMT inhibitor that raises NAD+ and S-adenosyl methionine to boost fat-cell energy expenditure. Studied only in rodents for fat loss; no human trials exist.
Cagrilintide Not natty
Long-acting amylin analogue that signals fullness and reduces body weight. Given as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. Investigational for obesity and type 2 diabetes, alone or with semaglutide.
Retatrutide Not natty
Triple agonist that curbs appetite and raises energy expenditure for 24% weight loss. Improves blood sugar, lowers blood pressure, and normalizes liver fat. Investigational; not FDA-approved.
Tesamorelin Not natty
Stimulates growth hormone release, lowering visceral abdominal fat and triglycerides. FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Daily subcutaneous injection; fat reaccumulates when stopped.

Frequently asked questions

What is AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 is a modified growth hormone fragment developed as an obesity drug; a 24-week trial found no weight-loss benefit. Prohibited by WADA under S2.

What is AOD-9604 used for?

AOD-9604 is used for fat loss and weight loss. It was developed as an obesity drug, but a 24-week trial in 536 obese adults found no significant weight loss compared with a placebo (a dummy treatment), and development stopped.

How does AOD-9604 work?

A small lab-made piece of human growth hormone, usually injected under the skin; clinical trials gave it by mouth. It was designed to keep the hormone's fat-breakdown action without its effects on growth or blood sugar.

Is AOD-9604 natty?

No. AOD-9604 is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.

Is AOD-9604 banned by WADA?

Yes. AOD-9604 is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.

How is AOD-9604 administered?

AOD-9604 is typically administered via: subcutaneous injection, oral (clinical trials). Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.

References

  1. ^ AOD-9604 Metabolic. Review
  2. a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

Categories: Peptides | Performance-enhancing substances | Fat loss | Weight loss | Growth hormone | Metabolic health

This page was last updated on October 24, 2026, at 02:51 (UTC).

Research last reviewed on October 24, 2026.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.