AOD-9604 Dosage Guide

AOD-9604 (Advanced Obesity Drug) is a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (hGH fragment 177-191) with an added tyrosine residue. It was developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals in Australia as an anti-obesity agent.

Research has shown that AOD-9604 stimulates lipolysis (fat breakdown) and inhibits lipogenesis (fat formation) through mechanisms independent of the GH receptor. Importantly, AOD-9604 does not increase IGF-1 levels or affect blood glucose and insulin, distinguishing it from full-length growth hormone. It received GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status from the FDA in 2010 for use in food products.

Dosing protocols are primarily derived from clinical trials and compounding pharmacy guidelines:

Clinical trials used a dose range of 250–1000 mcg orally, though subcutaneous injection is more commonly used in research settings due to superior bioavailability. The most frequently referenced subcutaneous dose is 300 mcg daily.

AOD-9604 is administered once daily, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach:

• Inject first thing in the morning before eating — fasting enhances lipolytic activity.
• Wait 30–60 minutes before eating after injection.
• Some protocols add a second injection before bed (splitting the total daily dose).

Cycling: Common protocols run 12–16 weeks on, 4 weeks off. AOD-9604 does not appear to cause significant desensitization, but cycling helps assess ongoing efficacy. Results are typically cumulative over the cycle.

• Step 1: Swab vial stoppers with alcohol.
• Step 2: For a 5 mg vial, add 2 mL of BAC water to yield 2.5 mg/mL (250 mcg per 0.1 mL).
• Step 3: Direct the BAC water against the glass wall.
• Step 4: Gently swirl. Do not shake.
• Step 5: Store at 2–8°C. Use within 28 days.

Inject subcutaneously into the abdominal fat pad using a 29–31 gauge insulin syringe. Injecting near the area of desired fat loss has not been shown to produce localized effects — AOD-9604 works systemically.

• 250 mcg/day: Minimal side effects. Occasional injection site redness. AOD-9604 received GRAS status, indicating a strong safety profile.
• 300–500 mcg/day: Rare reports of mild headache, transient euphoria, or slight nausea.
• 1000+ mcg/day (oral trials): Mild GI discomfort in some subjects. No significant effects on glucose, insulin, IGF-1, or cortisol at any studied dose.

The key advantage of AOD-9604 is its clean side-effect profile relative to other GH-related compounds.

AOD-9604 is used for research purposes. While it has GRAS status as a food ingredient, it is not FDA-approved as a therapeutic agent.

AOD-9604 should not be relied upon as a sole weight management intervention. Consult a healthcare provider before beginning any research protocol. Store properly and use sterile injection technique.