Last reviewed: May 2026 · By Noki Labs Team
Educational content only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide or wellness protocol.
TL;DR
AOD-9604 is a fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176–191) that promotes fat oxidation without the growth-promoting effects of full HGH. Modest standalone fat loss, useful as a stack adjunct. Standard dose: 300–500µg daily, subcutaneous, fasted morning. Cycles 8–12 weeks.
What AOD-9604 is
AOD-9604 ("Anti-Obesity Drug 9604") was developed in the late 1990s by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals as a synthetic analog of the C-terminal fat-mobilizing fragment of HGH. It was studied for obesity but never reached commercial therapeutic approval; it does have status as a premium peptide and is listed by GRAS in some food contexts.
Mechanism: PubMed: 16081814 (AOD-9604 mechanism). Phase-2: PubMed: 21219339.
How it works
AOD-9604 binds to beta-3 adrenergic receptors on adipocytes, promoting lipolysis (release of fatty acids from fat cells) and fat oxidation. Crucially, it does not bind to GH receptors — so it doesn't raise IGF-1, doesn't promote tissue growth, and doesn't cause the side effects associated with full HGH.
This is the key differentiator: AOD-9604 isolates the fat-loss benefit of GH while skipping the muscle/tissue-growth effects.
Trial evidence
The Phase-2 study (Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, 12 weeks, N=300+ obese adults) showed:
- Mean weight loss ~2.6 kg vs placebo 0.8 kg at 12 weeks
- Predominantly fat-mass loss
- No significant impact on lean mass
- Clean safety profile
Magnitude is modest compared to GLP-1-class peptides. AOD-9604 is best framed as a stack adjunct, not a primary fat-loss tool. PubMed: 21219339.
Dosing protocol
- Dose: 300–500µg (0.3–0.5 mg) per day
- Route: subcutaneous
- Timing: morning, fasted (lipolysis is best with low circulating insulin)
- Frequency: daily, 5 days on / 2 off, OR 7 days on / 0 off depending on protocol
- Cycle: 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off
Reconstitution
2mg vial + 1mL BAC water = 2mg/mL = 2,000µg/mL. So 0.25mL = 500µg. Reconstitution principles: reconstitution guide. Storage: cold-chain handling.
Stacking strategies
1. AOD-9604 + Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide handles appetite suppression; AOD-9604 enhances fat oxidation when caloric deficit is in place. Common at end-of-cycle to push past plateaus. See Tirzepatide dosage guide.
2. AOD-9604 + MOTS-c
Mitochondrial efficiency (MOTS-c) plus fat mobilization (AOD-9604) is a body-recomp pairing for athletes. MOTS-c review.
3. AOD-9604 + cardio focus
If you train fasted morning cardio, dosing AOD-9604 30–60 minutes pre-cardio amplifies fatty-acid availability for fuel.
Expected results
| Stand-alone | With proper diet/training |
|---|---|
| ~2–3 kg over 12 weeks | 5–7 kg over 12 weeks |
Stacked with Tirzepatide, attribution becomes mixed — expect 1–2 kg incremental over Tirzepatide alone, mostly from improved fat oxidation rate.
Side-effect profile
AOD-9604 has one of the cleaner safety profiles in the peptide space. Reported:
- Mild injection-site soreness
- Occasional flushing
- Rare headache (typically dehydration-linked)
- No measurable IGF-1 elevation
- No water retention
- No hypoglycemia at standard doses
Pregnancy/lactation: contraindicated.
AOD-9604 vs Tirzepatide for fat loss
| AOD-9604 | Tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Adipocyte lipolysis | GIP/GLP-1 appetite + glycemic |
| Magnitude (12 weeks solo) | ~3% body weight | ~10–12% body weight |
| Side effects | Minimal | GI symptoms during titration |
| Cost in PH | ~₱1,500/vial | ~₱2,000–3,500/vial |
| Best use | Stack adjunct, plateau-breaker | Primary weight-loss driver |
Comparison background: Tirzepatide vs Retatrutide.
Who's a fit candidate
- Customers already running a primary peptide and wanting fat-oxidation enhancement
- Athletes wanting body-recomp without weight-class change
- Customers with appetite control already in hand who need a clean fat-mobilization tool
- Older customers wanting GH-fragment effects without IGF-1 elevation
Common mistakes
- Expecting GLP-1-class results from AOD-9604 alone — the magnitude is much smaller
- Dosing without a caloric deficit — AOD-9604 mobilizes fat, but you still need an energy gap to actually lose
- Dosing post-prandially — high circulating insulin blunts lipolysis
- Skipping cycle breaks — 8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off is the published cadence
How this applies in the Philippines
Pricing reference (May 2026):
- AOD-9604 2mg: ₱1,500/vial
- 12-week solo cycle (~10–12 vials at 500µg daily): ~₱15k–18k
- Use BULK20 code for 20% off ₱15k+
COD nationwide via J&T or LBC. Browse the weight-management collection or performance collection. Manila: Manila supplier hub. Compliance: PH legality guide. Quality check: spot fake peptides.
FAQ
Will AOD-9604 raise my IGF-1?
No — the 176–191 fragment doesn't activate GH receptors. IGF-1 stays at baseline.
Can I use it with intermittent fasting?
Yes — dosing during the fasted window aligns with peak lipolysis and is the standard protocol.
Is daily dosing safe?
Daily dosing for 8–12 weeks is the published cadence. Take the 4-week off-cycle.
Does it cause hunger?
No appetite stimulation reported. Some users note slight appetite reduction.
Can I take it with caffeine pre-workout?
Yes — caffeine + AOD-9604 + fasted cardio is a common pre-cardio stack for accelerated fat oxidation.
How does it compare to clenbuterol or DNP?
Cleaner safety profile, smaller magnitude. AOD-9604 is the conservative, longer-game tool.
Where to buy lab-tested peptides in the Philippines
Noki Labs ships HPLC-verified AOD-9604 with COA per batch. Browse the weight-management collection, see Tirzepatide for primary stacking, or visit Manila supplier hub.
Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any new peptide or wellness regimen. Individual results vary. Statements about our products are educational and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Read more in our FAQ
