Research & Educational Use Only. This protocol guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any research protocol.
Fat Loss / Metabolic Peptide
Evidence Grade: B (Human Trial Data)
AOD-9604 Protocol Guide
AOD-9604 (Advanced Obesity Drug 9604) is a modified fragment of human growth hormone corresponding to amino acids 176-191 of the hGH polypeptide. It is researched for its ability to stimulate lipolysis (fat breakdown) and inhibit lipogenesis (fat formation) without the growth-promoting or diabetogenic effects of full-length hGH. This protocol covers reconstitution from a 5mg vial, subcutaneous dosing at 300mcg daily on an empty stomach, fat metabolism timelines, and stacking recommendations.
Protocol Overview
- Compound
- AOD-9604 (hGH Fragment 176-191)
- Category
- Fat Loss / Metabolic Peptide
- Mechanism
- Mimics the lipolytic region of hGH, stimulating beta-3 adrenergic receptor-mediated fat breakdown and inhibiting de novo lipogenesis without affecting IGF-1 or insulin
- Sequence
- 16 amino acids (hGH fragment 176-191 with C-terminal tyrosine)
- Half-Life
- ~30-60 minutes
- Vial Size
- 5mg lyophilized powder
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection
- Frequency
- Once daily (morning, fasted)
- Cycle Length
- 8-12 weeks
Dosing Protocol
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Fat Loss | 300 mcg | 1x daily (AM, fasted) | Subcutaneous | 8-12 weeks |
| Moderate Protocol | 250 mcg | 1x daily (AM, fasted) | Subcutaneous | 8-12 weeks |
| Aggressive Protocol | 500 mcg | 1x daily (AM, fasted) | Subcutaneous | 8-12 weeks |
Key principle: Administer on an empty stomach in the morning, at least 30 minutes before eating. AOD-9604 works best in a fasted state to maximize lipolytic signaling.
Reconstitution Instructions
Materials Needed
- AOD-9604 5mg lyophilized vial
- Bacteriostatic water (2mL)
- 3mL mixing syringe (18-20ga)
- Insulin syringes (29-31ga) for dosing
- Alcohol swabs
Reconstitution Steps
- Clean vial stopper with alcohol
- Draw 2mL bacteriostatic water
- Inject slowly down the vial wall
- Gently swirl (never shake)
- Wait 5 minutes for full dissolution
- Concentration: 2,500 mcg/mL
| Dose | Volume (2mL recon) | Insulin Syringe |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mcg | 0.04 mL | 4 units |
| 200 mcg | 0.08 mL | 8 units |
| 300 mcg | 0.12 mL | 12 units |
| 500 mcg | 0.20 mL | 20 units |
Administration Guide
Injection Sites
- Abdomen: Preferred site - subcutaneous near target fat deposits
- Thigh: Outer thigh, rotate left/right
- Upper arm: Back of the arm, alternate sides
Timing & Storage
- Timing: Morning on empty stomach, 30 min before food
- Fasted state: Critical for optimal fat mobilization
- Storage (reconstituted): Refrigerate 2-8°C, use within 30 days
- Vial duration: ~17 days at 300mcg/day
- Do not freeze reconstituted solution
Expected Timeline
Week 1-2
Peptide reaches steady state. Some subjects report subtle changes in energy and appetite. No visible body composition changes yet expected.
Week 3-4
Early fat metabolism effects may become noticeable. Slight reduction in stubborn fat areas when combined with caloric deficit and exercise.
Week 5-8
Measurable changes in body composition for many subjects. Reduction in abdominal fat deposits. Continued lipolytic effects with consistent dosing.
Week 9-12
Full protocol effects realized. Subjects typically report meaningful fat loss, particularly in stubborn areas. Protocol completion and assessment period.
Side Effects & Monitoring
Common Side Effects
- Injection site redness or irritation (mild, transient)
- Mild headache (uncommon, usually resolves)
- Slight nausea if not administered fasted
- Mild fatigue in first few days
AOD-9604 has received GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status from the FDA for oral formulations and has a favorable safety profile in clinical research.
Precautions
- Does not affect blood glucose or insulin sensitivity
- Does not raise IGF-1 or cause growth effects
- Limited long-term human data beyond clinical trials
- Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Stacking Recommendations
Compatible Compounds
- CJC-1295/Ipamorelin: GH support for synergistic fat loss
- BPC-157: Tissue repair support during cutting phases
- MOTS-c: Mitochondrial-targeted metabolic support
- Tesamorelin: Visceral fat reduction synergy
- L-Carnitine: Fatty acid transport enhancement
Popular Stacks
- Fat Loss Stack: AOD-9604 300mcg/day + CJC-1295/Ipamorelin at night
- Recomp Stack: AOD-9604 + Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin
- Metabolic Stack: AOD-9604 + MOTS-c + L-Carnitine
Blood Work Recommendations
| Panel | Markers | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Metabolic Panel | Fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c | Baseline, Week 6, Week 12 |
| Lipid Panel | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides | Baseline, Week 12 |
| Thyroid | TSH, Free T3, Free T4 | Baseline, Week 8 |
| Liver Function | ALT, AST, GGT | Baseline, Week 8 |
AOD-9604 should not significantly alter these markers, but monitoring confirms metabolic safety and helps track overall progress during fat loss protocols.
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