AOD-9604
Also known as Advanced Obesity Drug, hGH fragment 177–191 analogue
A small piece of growth hormone that was developed as a fat-loss drug — but it didn't work well enough in trials.
Quick facts
- Status
- Not an approved medicine
- Evidence
- Did not show efficacy in clinical trials for weight loss
- Taken as
- Injection under the skin
- Common sizes
- 2 mg, 5 mg
- Category
- Growth hormone fragment · fat loss (experimental)
How it works
It was designed to keep growth hormone's fat-burning effect without affecting growth or blood sugar.
What people use it for
- Fat loss
- Joint and cartilage repair (claimed)
What the research shows
- Human trials for obesity did not show meaningful weight loss, and development stopped.
- Claims about joint repair come mainly from animal studies.
Side effects & risks
- Seemed well tolerated in the original trials
- Long-term safety of products sold today is unknown
- Banned in sport
Is it legal?
Not an approved medicine in the EU, UK or US. In most countries it is illegal to sell it for use in people. Products labelled "research use only" are not checked for quality or purity. Clinical development for obesity was stopped after trials did not show meaningful weight loss. Prohibited in sport (WADA Prohibited List).
Storage & safe handling
- Mix with bacteriostatic water: let it run slowly down the inside of the vial and swirl gently — never shake.
- Store the mixed vial in the fridge and follow the use-by period on the label.
- Wipe the vial top with alcohol and use a new sterile needle and syringe every time.
- Rotate injection sites so the same spot is not used again and again.
- Put used needles in a sharps container, not the household bin.
- Get medical help for redness that spreads, fever, swelling or trouble breathing.
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Sources: Published phase 2 obesity trials of AOD-9604 (Metabolic Pharmaceuticals); WADA Prohibited List.
Last updated 12 October 2026. Information — not medical advice. PepTimer does not replace a doctor. Many peptides are not approved medicines in the EU, UK or US. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider before starting, changing or stopping any treatment.
Last updated 12 October 2026. Information — not medical advice. PepTimer does not replace a doctor. Many peptides are not approved medicines in the EU, UK or US. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider before starting, changing or stopping any treatment.