Growth Hormone
AOD-9604: The Fine-Tuning Fragment
AOD-9604 is a peptide that "failed" clinical trials yet still draws attention from the recomp community. The honest assessment: safety-strong but efficacy-modest. This is a fine-tuning adjunct for already-lean individuals, not a primary fat-loss tool.
At a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| What it is | HGH Fragment 177-191 (lipolytic portion only) |
| IGF-1 effect | None |
| Clinical outcome | Phase IIb FAILED (~2% effect vs placebo) |
| Best for | Sub-15% BF individuals seeking marginal gains |
| Not for | Anyone needing significant fat loss |
The Phase IIb Reality
The OPTIONS trial (534 obese adults) tested AOD-9604 as an obesity drug. Result: ~2% weight loss advantage over placebo. Development was discontinued.
For comparison: semaglutide delivers 15%, tirzepatide 21%. If you need significant fat loss, use GLP-1 agonists.
The reframe: Failure as an obesity drug doesn't mean useless for everyone. A 2% effect is noise when you need to lose 50 pounds. But for someone at 12% body fat seeking to drop 5 pounds of stubborn fat during a final cut, marginal lipolytic bias might matter.
Who Should Actually Consider AOD-9604
Only if you're already:
- Sub-15% body fat (men) or sub-22% (women)
- Training 3-4x/week with structured programming
- Nutrition dialed in (protein, deficit calculated)
- Using or have optimized GLP-1, tesamorelin, fundamentals
Not good candidates:
- Obese individuals starting fat loss (use GLP-1s)
- Anyone expecting dramatic results
- Those unwilling to pair with tesamorelin (AOD has no muscle protection)
Dosing
| Parameter | Protocol |
|---|---|
| Dose | 300 mcg daily |
| Timing | AM fasted, before activity |
| Route | Subcutaneous |
| Cycle | 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off |
Why AM fasted + activity: AOD mobilizes fatty acids from fat cells. Without oxidation (activity), they re-store. Take AOD → wait 15-30 min → Zone-2 cardio or training.
The Morning Stack
On waking (fasted):
- AOD-9604: 300 mcg SC
- L-Carnitine: 500 mg (transports fat into mitochondria)
- Optional: MOTS-c 5-10 mg (mitochondrial efficiency)
Then: 30-60 min Zone-2 cardio or trainingAOD mobilizes fat. L-carnitine shuttles it to the furnace. Activity burns it.
Complete Cutting Protocol
AOD alone provides no muscle protection. During aggressive cuts, you need anabolic support.
Morning (fasted):
- AOD-9604: 300 mcg SC
- L-Carnitine: 500 mg
- Zone-2 cardio: 30-60 min
Evening:
- Tesamorelin: 1-2 mg SC (before bed)
- GLP-1 agonist: per protocol
Foundation:
- Resistance training: 3-4x/week
- Protein: 1.6-2.2 g/kgHierarchy: Diet → Training → GLP-1 → Tesamorelin → then AOD. AOD is layer five, not layer one.
AOD vs Tesamorelin vs HGH
| Factor | AOD-9604 | Tesamorelin | HGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle protection | None | Yes | Yes |
| IGF-1 elevation | None | Yes | Yes |
| Fat loss efficacy | Modest (~2%) | Moderate (15-20% VAT) | Variable |
| Evidence level | Low (Phase IIb failed) | Strong (FDA approved) | Strong |
| Best for | Fine-tuning | GH-axis + muscle preservation | Clinical deficiency |
Key point: AOD and tesamorelin are complementary, not alternatives. For cutting, tesamorelin is non-negotiable; AOD is optional.
Side Effects
Excellent safety profile. The same trial that showed weak efficacy showed strong tolerability.
| Effect | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Injection site reactions | Occasional |
| Headache | Occasional |
| Nausea | Rare |
What AOD does NOT cause: No IGF-1 elevation, no glucose disruption, no edema, no carpal tunnel.
FAQ
Does AOD-9604 actually work?
Mechanistically yes—it stimulates lipolysis. Clinically, the effect is modest (~2% in trials). For already-lean individuals with fundamentals optimized, this marginal bias may help. For significant fat loss, use GLP-1 agonists.
Why pair with tesamorelin?
AOD mobilizes fat but provides zero muscle protection. Tesamorelin restores GH pulsatility for anabolic support. Using AOD alone during a deficit risks disproportionate lean mass loss.
When to take it?
Morning, fasted, before activity. Mobilized fatty acids need to be oxidized or they re-store.
What's the best dose of AOD-9604?
300mcg daily is the standard dose, taken subcutaneously in the morning while fasted. Some practitioners use 250–500mcg depending on body weight and response. Higher doses haven't shown proportionally better results in the limited data available. The key is pairing it with activity—without oxidation (cardio or training), mobilized fatty acids simply re-store.
How long until I see results from AOD-9604?
Don't expect dramatic results—that's not what AOD does. Over 4–8 weeks, already-lean individuals may notice slight improvements in stubborn fat areas, particularly with consistent morning activity. If you're expecting semaglutide-level changes, you'll be disappointed. AOD is a fine-tuning tool for the last few percentage points, not a primary fat-loss driver.
What are AOD-9604 side effects?
AOD has an excellent safety profile—the same trial that showed weak efficacy showed strong tolerability. Occasional injection site reactions and headaches occur; nausea is rare. Importantly, AOD does NOT elevate IGF-1, doesn't disrupt glucose, doesn't cause edema, and doesn't cause carpal tunnel. This is one of the safest peptides available, which is partly why it's still used despite modest efficacy.
Can I take AOD-9604 with GLP-1 medications?
Yes. They work through completely different mechanisms and are often stacked. GLP-1 agonists provide the primary fat-loss driver through appetite suppression; AOD adds marginal lipolytic bias for stubborn areas. The hierarchy is: fundamentals → GLP-1 → tesamorelin → then AOD. Adding AOD won't significantly amplify GLP-1 effects—it's layer five in a complete cutting protocol.
How do I store AOD-9604?
Store lyophilized powder refrigerated (2–8°C) or frozen for long-term storage. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, keep refrigerated and use within 4–6 weeks. Protect from light and temperature fluctuations. AOD is reasonably stable as peptides go, but following standard peptide storage practices ensures potency.
Is AOD-9604 the same as HGH fragment?
Yes and no. AOD-9604 is the 177-191 fragment of human growth hormone—specifically the lipolytic portion. However, it's modified (with a tyrosine at position 177) to prevent HGH-like effects on IGF-1 and growth. So it's derived from HGH but engineered to isolate only the fat-mobilization signal without the other hormonal effects. This is why it doesn't require the same monitoring as tesamorelin or HGH.
How long should I run AOD-9604?
Standard cycles are 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off. Some practitioners run it continuously during cutting phases. Because AOD doesn't affect IGF-1 or other hormones, cycling is less critical than with tesamorelin—it's more about assessing whether it's actually contributing to your results. If you don't notice any difference after 4–8 weeks with consistent use and activity, it may not be worth continuing.
Is AOD-9604 banned in sports?
Yes. WADA prohibits AOD-9604 under the category of peptide hormones, growth factors, and related substances. Even though it doesn't elevate IGF-1 or provide significant performance enhancement, its origin as an HGH fragment places it on the prohibited list. Athletes subject to drug testing should avoid it entirely regardless of its modest efficacy.
Related
- Tesamorelin Guide — GH-axis support with muscle preservation
- Semaglutide Guide — primary fat-loss tool
- Tirzepatide Guide — better body composition data
- MOTS-c Guide — mitochondrial support for the morning stack
- GLP-1 Comparison — compare all GLP-1 options
Disclaimer: AOD-9604 is not FDA approved. Phase IIb trials failed; development was discontinued. Experimental use only. Consult a healthcare provider.