AOD-9604 calculator
A fragment of human growth hormone originally investigated for obesity, which failed to meet endpoints in clinical trials.
Also known as: Anti-obesity drug 9604, hGH fragment 176-191
FDA status — not an approved drug Not FDA-approved for any use. AOD-9604 was placed in Category 2 of FDA's bulk drug substances list. It did not demonstrate efficacy for weight loss in clinical trials.
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What AOD-9604 is
AOD-9604 is a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone corresponding to amino acids 176-191, the tail end of the molecule. It was developed specifically as an anti-obesity drug and taken through human clinical trials.
Research depth: 3/5 Taken all the way through human clinical trials — which is more than most peptides here — though the trials did not show benefit over placebo. Human trials: Phase 2 complete (negative). This measures how much has been studied — counting animal and laboratory work — not whether it works for you.
How AOD-9604 works
The fragment was designed to isolate growth hormone's fat-metabolizing action from its growth-promoting and glucose effects, theoretically stimulating lipolysis without raising IGF-1. In practice, phase 2 trials did not show meaningful weight loss compared with placebo, and development for that indication stopped.
AOD-9604 side effects
Commonly reported
- Injection-site reactions
- Headache
- Trial data showed a side-effect profile broadly similar to placebo
Serious — seek medical care
- No serious safety signals were identified in the trials that were run
- The more relevant issue is efficacy: it did not work for its intended purpose
- Unregulated product carries the usual purity and sterility risks
This list is not exhaustive. Report anything unexpected to the clinician who prescribed it. If you have severe abdominal pain, trouble breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction, seek care the same day. See also our guide to peptide side effects by class.
A worked example
A 5 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 2.5 mg/mL. A 300 mcg dose is then 0.12 mL — about 12 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe, giving roughly 16 doses per vial before accounting for residual volume left in the vial and syringe.
Prefer paper? Download the printable AOD-9604 dosing chart (PDF) — every vial size and water volume in syringe units, with the same review byline as this page. All charts →
Commonly cited dose range
Figures circulating for AOD-9604 run from 250 mcg to 500 mcg. Community reference figures only. Trial data did not support efficacy for weight loss.
Read this as reference information, not instruction. These numbers describe what is commonly discussed, not what is right for any individual. Dose, frequency, and whether to use AOD-9604 at all are decisions for a licensed clinician who knows your history.
Common questions
Does AOD-9604 work for weight loss?
Clinical trials did not show a meaningful weight loss benefit compared with placebo, which is why development for that indication did not continue to approval.
How do I calculate an AOD-9604 dose?
A 5 mg vial in 2 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 2.5 mg/mL, so a 300 mcg dose is 0.12 mL — 12 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe.