Fat Loss

AOD-9604Anti-Obesity Drug 9604

The "fat fragment" peptide — marketed as targeted lipolysis without muscle loss, but the evidence is weak and clinical trials failed.

What It Is

AOD-9604 is a 16-amino-acid fragment of human growth hormone (residues 177-191). It was originally developed as an anti-obesity drug claiming to produce targeted fat loss without the broader effects of full HGH. Clinical trials failed and the manufacturer abandoned development. It now exists primarily as a peptide-clinic offering.

Mechanism

Designed to mimic the lipolytic (fat-burning) portion of growth hormone without affecting glucose or growth. In theory, this would produce targeted lipolysis (especially of visceral and abdominal fat) without HGH side effects.

What Consumers Use It For

Stubborn visceral or abdominal fat (especially when GLP-1 users hit a plateau)
Body recomposition without muscle loss claims
Used as an "add-on" to GLP-1 therapy in some peptide-clinic protocols

Legal & Regulatory Status (May 2026)

Reclassified after Category 2 list updates and now offered via licensed telehealth longevity clinics with prescription. Not FDA-approved for any use; the manufacturer abandoned development after failed obesity trials.

Telehealth Providers & Pricing

Verified May 2026. Pricing varies by dose, plan length, and bundling. Always confirm directly with the provider before signup.

Telehealth longevity clinics (general)

$150-$400/mo as add-on; often bundled lower

What the Evidence Actually Shows

Early obesity trials showed modest fat reduction but failed to meet endpoints. The manufacturer (Metabolic Pharmaceuticals) abandoned development around 2007. No strong human data has emerged since beyond small studies. The marketing significantly outpaces the clinical evidence — this is the weakest evidence base of the peptides on this list.

Typical Dosing Protocol

Typical consumer protocols: 250-500 mcg daily subcutaneous, often in the morning or pre-workout. Cycles of 8-12 weeks. Frequently bundled with other peptides (BPC-157, lipotropic injections) at peptide clinics.

Dosing should be confirmed by your prescribing physician — these are common consumer protocols, not medical advice.

What Real Users Report

Synthesized from Reddit (r/Peptides, r/Semaglutide, r/Tirzepatide) and forums, May 2025-2026:

Reddit reports are mixed-to-skeptical. Some users report subjective fat loss in target areas, but most acknowledge the effects are far less dramatic than GLP-1 medications alone. Users often describe AOD-9604 as an "optional plateau-buster" rather than a primary tool. Many reports suggest results are placebo or minor.

Safety & Contraindications

Generally well-tolerated in trials (one of its few proven properties). No major safety signals beyond standard injection-site reactions. The bigger concern is opportunity cost — money and effort spent on a poorly-evidenced peptide instead of optimizing your GLP-1 protocol.

Best Reason to Add It

May help with stubborn visceral fat once you have already optimized your GLP-1 dose and lifestyle. Best positioned as a low-priority experiment after the basics are dialed.

Biggest Red Flag

Weak clinical evidence and abandoned-by-manufacturer status. Marketing significantly outpaces the data. For most users, the money is better spent on a higher GLP-1 dose, better protein intake, or resistance training than on AOD-9604.

Stacking note: Peptides are typically considered after a GLP-1 protocol is dialed in. If you have not started GLP-1 therapy yet, optimize that first. Compare GLP-1 telehealth pricing here before adding peptide protocols.

Other Peptides for GLP-1 Stackers

BPC-157 Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 PT-141 TB-500