AOD-9604 (Anti-Obesity Drug 9604) is a synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide based on the C-terminal region of human growth hormone (residues 176-191), with a small modification at one end. It was developed in Australia to study fat loss. It is a research chemical and has not been approved as a medicine.

What is AOD-9604 studied for?

It was developed and studied primarily for obesity and fat loss, based on the lipolytic (fat-breaking) portion of growth hormone. Some later interest has been in cartilage and metabolic research. Most supportive data are from cell and animal studies; human obesity trials did not show a meaningful weight-loss benefit over placebo.

Does AOD-9604 actually work for weight loss?

In preclinical (animal) models it increased fat breakdown and reduced fat buildup. However, in human clinical trials, including a larger Phase IIb obesity study, AOD-9604 did not produce statistically significant weight loss compared with placebo, and the developer discontinued it as an obesity drug around 2007. There is no proof it works for weight loss in people.

Is AOD-9604 FDA-approved?

No. AOD-9604 is not approved by the U.S. FDA for any use, and it failed to demonstrate efficacy in human obesity trials. Its status under FDA pharmacy-compounding rules has shifted over time: in 2023 it was placed in Category 2 of the interim 503A bulk-substances list (substances flagged as potentially posing significant safety risks), and in September 2024 it was removed from that category after the nomination was withdrawn, with further review by the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee. None of this makes it an approved product — it remains an unapproved substance.

AOD-9604 is not an approved drug or dietary supplement in the United States, so it cannot legally be marketed for human consumption. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibits AOD-9604 in sport as a growth-hormone fragment. Laws vary by country; check local regulations and consult a licensed professional.

What are the reported side effects of AOD-9604?

Human safety data are limited. In the trials that were run, AOD-9604 was reported as generally well tolerated and did not appear to raise IGF-1 or impair glucose tolerance the way full-length growth hormone can. Even so, long-term safety in humans is not established, and anyone considering it should speak with a licensed clinician first.

How is AOD-9604 dosed in research?

There is no validated human dose, because AOD-9604 is not an approved medicine and failed its obesity trials. Published studies used a range of doses that do not translate into safe human guidance. This page does not provide dosing instructions; dosing decisions belong with a licensed clinician.

How is AOD-9604 reconstituted?

Lyophilized AOD-9604 powder is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic water by slowly injecting the water down the inside wall of the vial and gently swirling until dissolved. See the reconstitution steps below and our full reconstitution guide.

Metabolism · Dosage

AOD-9604 dosage

AOD-9604 comes in 5 mg vials. Pick your vial to see exactly how much bacteriostatic water to add and how many insulin units to draw. Reconstitution math and unit conversions for the 5 mg vial. AOD-9604 has no validated human dose; the usage pattern shown is community-reported and anecdotal.

5mg

At 2 mL water: 2.5 mg/mL
Per unit: 25 mcg

See the 5 mg card

Calculate for your vial

Enter the mg on your AOD-9604 vial, the bacteriostatic water you added, and your target dose — it works out the exact units to draw on a U-100 insulin syringe, for whatever you personally have.

Reconstitution Calculator

Units to draw (U-100)20units

Volume to draw0.2mL

Concentration2.5mg/mL

Per insulin unit25mcg

Doses per vial10doses

Check the decimal. A misplaced decimal point here is a 10× dosing error. Re-read every number, and confirm your dose with a licensed clinician before you draw.

Educational only — not a dosing recommendation. This tool does the measurement math; it does not tell you what to take. On a U-100 insulin syringe, 100 units = 1 mL.

Reconstitution figures are deterministic measurement math. WikiPeps is a community reference and sells injection supplies only — never peptides. Nothing here is medical advice.