AOD-9604: research, legal status and who sells it

What it is

AOD-9604 is a peptide made of amino acids 177–191 of human growth hormone with an extra tyrosine at the N-terminus [9]. It was reported to mimic growth hormone’s fat-breaking (lipolytic) effect without raising blood sugar [9].

Research status

The company Metabolic developed AOD-9604 as a potential obesity treatment, and phase 2 trials were under way by 2002 [10]. It was never approved by the FDA [1]. FDA says it has identified no, or only limited, safety information for AOD-9604, and has identified serious adverse events that may be associated with it, although causality is unclear [2]. A 2026 review in Sports Medicine included AOD-9604 among unapproved peptides marketed directly to patients for which rigorous human safety data are scarce [11].

Regulatory status

AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved, and its nomination for pharmacy compounding was withdrawn after FDA flagged safety risks [1][2]. No AOD-9604 medicine is authorized in the UK, the EU or Canada [3][4][6]. Australia lists it in Schedule 4 with possession controls [7]. WADA prohibits it at all times as a growth hormone fragment [8].

Quality and testing considerations

FDA cites possible immunogenicity and complexities with peptide-related impurities and characterization [2]. Anti-doping scientists have identified AOD-9604 in vials confiscated in the US [9]. AOD-9604 does not affect WADA’s growth hormone isoform test [12]. Researchers have validated a urine test for AOD-9604 and identified a more stable metabolite that may lengthen the window for detecting it [9]. WADA lists AOD-9604 and hGH 176–191 as separate growth hormone fragments [8], so a lab report should name the fragment it identified.

Where it’s sold

AOD-9604 is sold online by research-chemical vendors; the tables below track listings.