AOD-9604
Also known as HGH fragment 176-191
A growth-hormone fragment marketed for fat loss, but human trials failed to show meaningful weight loss.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MD
Reviewed for clinical accuracy · Last reviewed July 22, 2026 · Review policy
Quick answer
AOD-9604 is a fragment of human growth hormone marketed for fat loss, but its human clinical trials failed to show meaningful weight loss versus placebo. It is not FDA-approved as a drug, and it is prohibited in sport.
- Type
- HGH fragment (176-191)
- FDA status
- Not approved as a drug
- Human evidence
- Trials largely negative for weight loss
- Evidence grade
- D (Preclinical Only / negative trials)
- Banned in sport
- Yes (WADA)
Key takeaways
- →AOD-9604 is a fragment of the growth-hormone molecule, promoted as a fat-loss peptide.
- →It reached human clinical trials, but those trials did not show meaningful weight loss compared with placebo.
- →It is not FDA-approved as a drug, despite holding a food-ingredient safety status.
- →It is prohibited in sport.
AOD-9604 is a useful case study in why a plausible story is not the same as evidence. It is a fragment of the growth-hormone molecule, marketed on the idea that it could drive fat loss without growth hormone's other effects. Unlike most research peptides, it was actually tested in human trials, and the result was disappointing: it did not produce meaningful weight loss.
How AOD-9604 works
AOD-9604 corresponds to the tail portion (residues 176-191) of human growth hormone, the region associated with fat metabolism in early research. The theory was that this fragment could stimulate fat breakdown without raising blood sugar or IGF-1 like full growth hormone. The mechanism looked promising in preclinical work but did not translate into clinical weight loss.
What the evidence shows, by use
Each use is graded on the same A-E scale, based on human-trial quality rather than popularity.
Weight loss / fat loss
DPreclinical OnlyHuman trials did not show meaningful weight loss versus placebo, despite the marketing.
Joint / cartilage support
EAnecdotalExplored in some contexts, but controlled human evidence is minimal.
Dosing
AOD-9604 is not an approved drug and has no validated therapeutic dose. Given that the human trials were negative and market supply is unregulated, there is little basis for a dosing recommendation. Any use should involve a licensed clinician rather than research-chemical vendors.
Side effects
- •Injection-site reactions · Reported
- •Headache · Reported
- •Mild GI symptoms · Reported
Legal & regulatory status
AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved as a drug and is prohibited in sport. It is sold as a research chemical.
Is AOD-9604legal? Full regulatory status →Where to get it: TeleRanked independently ranks the telehealth providers that offer GLP-1 and weight-loss care. See our Weight Loss & GLP-1 rankings. We rank providers, we do not sell compounds, and rankings are never for sale.
Frequently asked questions
Does AOD-9604 cause weight loss?+
Human clinical trials did not show meaningful weight loss versus placebo, which is the main reason it earns a low evidence grade despite the marketing.
Is AOD-9604 FDA-approved?+
No. It is not FDA-approved as a drug, and it is prohibited in sport.
How we grade evidence
Grade D: Preclinical Only. Evidence is largely limited to animal or laboratory studies; human data is minimal or absent. Our A-E scale reflects the strength of human evidence, not how popular a compound is.
Sources
- 1.Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers · U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- 2.WADA Prohibited List · World Anti-Doping Agency