AOD-9604 — GH Fragment 176-191 by Dragon Pharma
AOD-9604 is Dragon Pharma's formulation of the synthetic GH peptide fragment at 5mg per vial — specifically the C-terminal amino acids 176-191 of the human growth hormone molecule, the region responsible for GH's fat-metabolising properties. Unlike full Somatropin (HGH), AOD-9604 does not elevate IGF-1, does not increase insulin resistance, and does not produce the anabolic effects of full GH — it isolates only the lipolytic fragment for targeted fat metabolism.
Also searched as: AOD 9604, GH fragment 176-191, Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, AOD-9604 Dragon Pharma.
What AOD-9604 Means — Name and Origin
The name and origin of AOD-9604 are rarely explained in competitor content:
- AOD stands for Anti-Obesity Drug — reflecting the original research purpose; Monash University in Melbourne, Australia developed AOD-9604 in the 1990s specifically to isolate the fat-metabolising region of growth hormone without its anabolic or diabetogenic effects
- 9604 is the compound reference number from the original Monash University/Metabolic Pharmaceuticals development programme
- The compound reached Phase IIb/III clinical trials for obesity treatment in the early 2000s before development was deprioritised commercially — generating human clinical data in obese subjects that validates its fat loss mechanism
- AOD-9604 received GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) designation from the FDA in 2014 for use as a food ingredient — making it one of the few peptides in this space with formal safety recognition from a regulatory body
Why AOD-9604 Does Not Raise IGF-1 — The Fragment Mechanism
This is the most important and most poorly explained aspect of AOD-9604 and the primary reason it differs from full HGH:
- Full growth hormone (191 amino acids) has multiple regions with different biological functions. The N-terminal region (amino acids 1-43 approximately) is responsible for GH's anabolic effects including IGF-1 stimulation, cell growth and insulin resistance
- AOD-9604 is only the C-terminal fragment (amino acids 176-191) — this region mimics the lipolytic activity of GH by stimulating the beta-3 adrenergic receptor in adipose tissue and inhibiting lipogenesis, without engaging the receptor domains required for IGF-1 stimulation
- Consequence: AOD-9604 provides GH-like fat metabolism effects without the IGF-1 elevation that drives cell proliferation, without increased insulin resistance, and without the muscle-building effects of full HGH
- This makes AOD-9604 specifically useful for users who want fat loss support without altering IGF-1 levels — particularly relevant alongside AAS cycles where IGF-1 may already be elevated, or for users who specifically do not want the anabolic effects of full HGH
AOD-9604 vs Full HGH (Somatropin) — The Critical Comparison
| Property | AOD-9604 (Fragment 176-191) | Full HGH (Somatropin) |
|---|---|---|
| IGF-1 elevation | None — N-terminal region absent | Significant — 60-70% above baseline |
| Insulin resistance | Not increased | Can increase at higher doses |
| Fat metabolism | Direct lipolytic activity — primary effect | Fat loss indirect — via IGF-1 and metabolic shift |
| Lean mass building | None — no anabolic receptor activation | Significant over extended use |
| Cartilage/connective tissue | Some preliminary data on repair | Significant — via IGF-1 and collagen synthesis |
| Water retention | Minimal | Moderate — particularly at higher doses |
| Carpal tunnel risk | Not reported | Possible at higher doses |
| Half-life | ~30 minutes | ~3-4 hours |
| Cost per vial | Lower — fragment only | Higher — full molecule production |
Effects and Benefits
- Targeted lipolysis via beta-3 adrenergic receptor stimulation in adipose tissue
- Inhibition of lipogenesis — reduces formation of new fat deposits
- No IGF-1 elevation — does not drive cell proliferation or anabolic effects
- No insulin resistance — can be used safely alongside carbohydrate-containing nutrition without the glucose dysregulation concern of full HGH at higher doses
- No suppression of natural testosterone, thyroid or HPG axis
- Some preliminary research suggests cartilage repair potential — though this is less established than BPC-157 or TB-500 for this purpose
Dosage and Administration
| Protocol | Dose | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard fat loss | 300–500 mcg/day | Before bed or fasted morning | Most common protocol |
| Higher dose | 500–1000 mcg/day | Split into 2 injections, fasted | Some users report greater effect; evidence limited |
AOD-9604's ~30-minute half-life means it is injected daily — once or twice. Like all GH-related peptides, dosing in a fasted state (no food for 2+ hours) maximises effect, as insulin reduces GH receptor sensitivity. At 5mg per vial and 500mcg per day, one vial provides 10 days of dosing at the standard protocol. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water — store refrigerated at 2-8°C after reconstitution.
AOD-9604 vs Other Fat Loss Compounds in the Dragon Pharma Range
| Compound | Mechanism | IGF-1 Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AOD-9604 | GH C-terminal fragment — direct lipolysis | None | Fat loss without anabolic or IGF-1 effects |
| Tesamorelin | GHRH analogue — GH stimulation → visceral fat | Elevated via GH | Visceral fat reduction — Phase III data |
| Dragontropin (HGH) | Full GH molecule — anabolic + lipolytic | Significant elevation | Full body recomposition — mass and fat |
| Clenbuterol | Beta-2 adrenergic agonist — thermogenic | None | Thermogenic fat loss + anti-catabolic |
Reconstitution and Storage
Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water — add slowly along the vial wall and swirl gently. Store reconstituted vial refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 28 days. Never freeze. Calculate reconstitution volume based on intended dose per injection before adding bacteriostatic water.
"AOD-9604 is the isolated fat-metabolising fragment of growth hormone — formulated for users who want GH's lipolytic properties without IGF-1 elevation or insulin resistance, making it the most targeted fat loss peptide in our range."
Stacking and Related Compounds
- Ipamorelin or CJC-1295 no DAC + Ipamorelin — GH secretagogue support alongside AOD-9604's direct fat metabolism
- Tirzepatide — for users combining GLP-1/GIP appetite suppression with AOD-9604's lipolytic mechanism
- Clenbuterol — beta-2 thermogenic alongside AOD-9604's GH fragment lipolysis for dual-pathway fat loss
