AOD-9604
Also known as: AOD9604, Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, hGH fragment 176-191, Tyr-hGH(177-191), growth hormone fragment 176-191
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide derived from the C-terminal region of human growth hormone, corresponding to amino acids 176-191 with an added tyrosine residue. It was developed in an attempt to isolate the fat-metabolizing region of growth hormone without the effects on blood sugar or tissue growth attributed to the full hormone. It is a research compound and is not an approved medicine.
How it works
Laboratory research suggests AOD-9604 may influence lipid metabolism by stimulating lipolysis (the breakdown of fat) and reducing lipogenesis (the formation of new fat), based largely on animal and in vitro models. The proposed mechanism does not appear to act through the classic growth hormone receptor, and the precise pathway in humans is not well established. These findings describe biological activity observed in studies and do not establish a clinical effect.
Researched uses
- Studied for obesity and body weight regulation
- Studied for effects on fat metabolism and lipolysis
- Studied for osteoarthritis and cartilage repair in early trials
- Studied for musculoskeletal and connective tissue applications
- Studied for metabolic and lipid-related outcomes
AOD-9604 is not approved by the FDA for any medical use. It was investigated in clinical trials for obesity, where reported weight-loss results did not reach the threshold needed to support approval, and development for that indication was not carried forward to market. It has been granted GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) self-affirmed status by a manufacturer for certain uses, but this is not the same as FDA drug approval. It is prohibited in sport under the World Anti-Doping Agency code. Products sold online as AOD-9604 "for research use only" are unregulated, are not dispensed through the licensed pharmacy system, and have not been evaluated for safety, purity, or identity.
AOD-9604 providers compared
Providers that have passed our rubric review are listed first, then ordered by the total cost of a 3-month protocol. We average every cost to a standard 3-month protocol, which our medical advisors consider the best basis for comparing cost and value, and the headline figure folds in any one-time consult or provider-review fee plus three months of membership. Use the calculator below to adjust the length and see the same total broken out.
| Provider | Sourcing | What's included | Verified | Visit provider | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RxPepsDirectVerified AOD-9604 | 503A pharmacy | $279 for 3 months (est.) ≈3 vials · $80/vial incl. $39 consult | Consult fee extra · no membership | Jul 8, 2026 vial price | View |
We average every cost to a standard 3-month protocol, which our medical advisors consider the best window for comparing cost and value. Monthly plans are multiplied by 3 and 3-month programs are taken as billed; each provider's own sticker price and cadence are shown underneath.
The headline figure is the total 3-month cost: the medication plus any one-time consult or provider-review fee (for example RxPepsDirect's $39) and three months of any membership fee. Where a fee is not published we fold in what is known and flag that other fees may apply.
Per-vial providers are averaged to a 3-month protocol at roughly one vial per month (3 vials), marked "est.", with the per-vial price shown underneath. Actual vial count depends on your dose and protocol.
Prices are gathered from each provider's public pages. The "Verified" date is when we last checked the provider's sticker price; for per-vial providers it is the vial price that was verified, not the averaged 3-month total.
Value check: total cost of therapy
This is the real value comparison. A sticker price hides consult and membership fees, so this adds everything up for a full protocol of AOD-9604 and ranks by true total cost. We default to a 3-month protocol, the window our medical advisors consider best for judging value.
Per-vial providers are estimated at about one vial per month (3 vials for 3 months), plus any one-time consult. Actual vial count depends on your dose and protocol, so the real cost may run higher or lower.
Safety notes
In the clinical trials conducted to date, AOD-9604 was generally reported to be well tolerated over the study periods, without the changes in blood sugar or insulin-like growth factor seen with full growth hormone. Long-term safety in humans has not been established, and the compound has not undergone the full regulatory review required of approved drugs. Because products marketed as AOD-9604 outside the licensed pharmacy system are unregulated, their actual content, purity, dose, and sterility cannot be verified and may differ from what is labeled.
AOD-9604 questions
How much does AOD-9604 cost?
Across the licensed providers tracked here, a full 3-month protocol of AOD-9604 totals $279 to $279, depending on the provider, dose, and what is included. We average every cost to a standard 3-month protocol, which our medical advisors consider the best basis for comparing cost and value, and the total folds in any one-time consult or provider-review fee and three months of membership. The providers listing AOD-9604 sell it by the vial, so the 3-month figure is an estimate of about one vial per month; the exact vial count depends on your dose and protocol. Each price shows the date the provider's sticker price was verified.
Is AOD-9604 an approved weight-loss drug?
No. AOD-9604 is not approved by the FDA for weight loss or any other medical use. It was studied in clinical trials for obesity, but the reported results did not support approval, and it remains an investigational compound.
How is AOD-9604 typically administered in research settings?
In studies, AOD-9604 has been administered by subcutaneous injection, and oral formulations have also been explored. This describes the general route used in research and is not a recommendation or dosing guidance. Any use of an investigational compound should involve a qualified clinician.
Is AOD-9604 covered by insurance or available at a pharmacy?
Because AOD-9604 is not an FDA-approved medication, it is not a standard prescription drug and would not be covered by insurance as one. Products sold online as research chemicals are outside the licensed pharmacy system and are unregulated, so their quality and identity cannot be assured.