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AOD-9604

Research use

Growth hormone fragment (peptide)

Last updated 29 October 2026

AOD-9604 is a small fragment of growth hormone, designed in the hope of keeping its fat burning effect without the rest of its actions. It was tested for obesity years ago without reaching the finish line, and it has no UK marketing authorisation.

Key points

AOD-9604 is a short peptide based on the tail end of human growth hormone.
The idea was to isolate the part of growth hormone linked to fat breakdown, without the effects on growth or blood sugar.
It was tested in obesity trials in the early 2000s, which did not lead to an approved medicine.
It has no UK marketing authorisation and is sold only for research use.

Quick facts

What it is: Growth hormone fragment peptide
Studied for: Fat loss and obesity
UK status: Not a licensed medicine; sold for research use
Human evidence: Early obesity trials; no clear benefit shown

How it works

Growth hormone has many effects, one of which is to encourage the breakdown of fat. AOD-9604 was engineered to copy just that part, acting on fat metabolism pathways, based mainly on animal and laboratory work. Whether it does this usefully in people was never clearly shown.

What the evidence shows

The main human testing was a set of obesity trials around twenty years ago. The programme did not progress to the large final stage trials, and the results were not fully published, so there is no clear evidence that it helps people lose weight. Claims about joint and cartilage benefit come from laboratory work, not human trials.

What it does not settle

Human weight loss benefit was never clearly demonstrated.
Long term safety and the right dose for injection are not established.
Cartilage and joint claims are preclinical only.

Side effects

Common

Human data is limited. Reported effects include injection site reactions, headache, flushing, tiredness and nausea.

Less common but serious

Because there is no licensed product, the dose, purity and contents of material bought online cannot be verified.

Report any suspected side effect through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

UK legal status and access

AOD-9604 has no UK marketing authorisation, so it is not a licensed medicine and is not offered by registered clinics or pharmacies. It is sold online labelled for research use. A research label does not mean a product has been assessed for safety, quality or dose.

Common questions

What is AOD-9604?

A small fragment of growth hormone designed to target fat breakdown, tested for obesity years ago without becoming an approved medicine.

Does it work for weight loss?

Its obesity trials did not lead to approval and were not fully published, so there is no clear evidence it helps people lose weight.

The licensed route

For a licensed weight loss medicine, semaglutide and tirzepatide are available through registered providers.

Factual reference only, not medical advice. We give no dosing for unlicensed compounds.

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