AOD-9604
A fragment of growth hormone that may help with fat metabolism without the side effects of full growth hormone. Popular in wellness clinics but still lacks strong human evidence.
This peptide is not FDA-approved for any indication. Human use outside of clinical trials is not recommended.
The basics
- Generic Name
- AOD-9604 (anti-obesity drug fragment)
- Brand Names
- None (not an approved product)
- Regulatory Status
- Early Research
- Therapeutic Areas
- Metabolic & Weight Management
Wellness Goals
Important: This peptide is not yet FDA-approved
AOD-9604 has not been approved by the FDA for any use in humans. That means it hasn't gone through the rigorous testing process that confirms a drug is safe and effective. Products sold online have not been evaluated by any regulatory body.
What it does
AOD-9604 (AOD-9604 (anti-obesity drug fragment)) is a synthetic peptide that researchers are studying, but it's not yet FDA-approved for any human use. Modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 177-191) that stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis without affecting blood sugar or growth.
The research is still early. Most studies so far are in animals or lab settings, so we don't know for sure how well this translates to real-world results in people.
How it's taken
Subcutaneous injection
How people access it
Available through some wellness clinics and research vendors, but not FDA-approved and not currently eligible for standard compounding. Quality and purity vary significantly between sources.
Regulatory Status
Not FDA-approved. A modified fragment of growth hormone studied for fat metabolism.
Any use in humans outside of an FDA-authorized clinical trial would require an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. Products marketed as “for research use only” are not legally intended for human administration.
What the Evidence Shows
The evidence base for AOD-9604 consists primarily of preclinical studies (animal models and in vitro experiments). There are no completed, large-scale, peer-reviewed clinical trials establishing safety or efficacy in humans. The gap between promising animal data and proven human benefit is substantial — many compounds that show effects in animal studies fail to demonstrate safety or efficacy in human trials.
Marketing claims made by online sellers and “peptide clinics” frequently overstate the evidence and omit critical information about risks and unknowns.
Other options to consider
Depending on what you're hoping to achieve, there may be FDA-approved treatments that have been rigorously tested and proven to work. Discuss evidence-based options with your own healthcare provider to find what fits your specific goals.
Browse our full peptide directory to see FDA-approved options that might work for you.
Common Questions
AOD-9604 is just a small fragment of growth hormone (amino acids 177-191) that's been modified. The idea is that it targets fat metabolism without the other effects of full growth hormone, like raising blood sugar. However, it's not FDA-approved and clinical evidence is still limited.
AOD-9604 went through some clinical trials in Australia for obesity, but the results weren't strong enough to lead to FDA approval. It's still classified as a research compound in the United States.
There isn't enough clinical data to make a definitive safety claim. Early trials didn't raise major red flags, but the research is limited. As with any unapproved peptide, quality and purity of products sold online can't be guaranteed.
Curious about what IS approved?
Check out FDA-approved peptides that address similar goals — with established safety profiles and real clinical evidence.
See Approved Options