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Metabolic
AOD-9604
Lyophilized2–8°C

5mg lyophilized vial

CategoryMetabolic
FormulaC78H123N23O23S2
Half-life~30 min

Metabolic · Research Peptide

AOD-9604

Modified GH fragment (176–191) engineered for lipolysis.

01 · Overview

What it actually is

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of growth hormone corresponding to amino acids 176–191 — the C-terminal region that specifically triggers lipolysis. The genius of the design is that it isolates the fat-burning part of GH without the growth-promoting IGF-1 elevation or the blood-sugar effects.

Originally developed by Australian company Metabolic Pharmaceuticals for obesity, it made it through Phase 2 trials with a clean safety profile but failed to show enough weight loss on its own to justify commercial development. It's since become a popular research peptide for people who want a low-risk lipolysis nudge without the metabolic footprint of full GH.

02 · Fit

Who this is for

Lean-ish users targeting stubborn adipose without touching blood sugar or IGF-1 — often paired with fasted cardio.

03 · Mechanism

How it works

AOD-9604 stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis without affecting IGF-1 or glucose homeostasis, isolating the fat-mobilizing action of GH.

Documented effects

  • Targeted adipose tissue mobilization
  • No impact on blood sugar or IGF-1
  • Investigational cartilage support
  • Fasted-state fat oxidation support

04 · Use cases

Common uses

  • ·Stubborn body fat (love handles, lower belly) in already-lean users
  • ·Fasted-morning fat-oxidation stack
  • ·Bridge peptide between GLP-1 cycles
  • ·Anyone who wants fat-focused effects without IGF-1 or blood-sugar changes

05 · Protocols

Cycle guidance clinicians commonly outline

Reference protocols paraphrased from published research and common clinical practice. Individual response varies. Work with a qualified provider before running anything below.

Standard fat-loss protocol

Protocol

300mcg subcutaneous, fasted morning, 30–60 min before fasted cardio

Duration

8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off

Notes

Daily use is fine given the clean profile.

Higher-dose recomp

Protocol

500–600mcg subcutaneous once daily, fasted

Duration

6–8 weeks

Notes

Higher doses don't reliably outperform 300mcg in the data.

Baseline reconstitution

Reconstitute 5mg with 2ml BAC water for 2.5mg/ml.

06 · Combinations

Stacking notes

Often stacked with tesamorelin or sermorelin for a full GH-axis fat-loss protocol, or run alongside MOTS-c for metabolic flexibility. Not commonly combined with GLP-1 drugs — they cover the appetite side already.

07 · Safety

Side effects & contraindications

Commonly reported effects

  • ·Very well tolerated — cleanest profile in the fat-loss peptide category
  • ·Occasional injection-site itch
  • ·Mild headache in the first few days

Talk to a doctor first

  • ·Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • ·Known allergy to bacteriostatic water preservative

08 · Trivia

Fun facts

  • 01It's literally amino acids 176–191 of the full human growth hormone molecule.
  • 02It made it through Phase 2 obesity trials with an impeccable safety profile.
  • 03Zero measurable effect on IGF-1 — a rarity in the GH-family peptides.
  • 04The 'AOD' stands for 'Anti-Obesity Drug.'

09 · FAQ

Common questions

Will I lose a lot of weight on it alone?+

No. It's a modest lipolysis nudge, not a GLP-1-scale weight-loss drug. It shines for stubborn areas on already-lean people.

Why fasted?+

Insulin blocks lipolysis. Dosing fasted (and doing fasted cardio after) lets the lipolytic effect actually do its job.

Educational disclaimer

Everything on this page is for research and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, a prescription, or a substitute for a conversation with a qualified clinician who knows your full history. Peptides interact with medications, hormones, and existing conditions in ways that require real oversight.