AOD-9604 (5 mg vial)
Once daily subcutaneous, morning protocol for metabolic and weight-management research.
AOD-9604 is the C-terminal fragment of growth hormone (176-191), studied for stimulating fat breakdown without raising IGF-1 or blood glucose. Its human program reached phase 2b and missed its primary endpoint, which the evidence section covers honestly. The protocol below is once daily subcutaneous, morning and fasted.
Quick answer: at the standard 5 mg + 0.5 mL reconstitution, a 500 mcg dose of AOD-9604 draws 5 units (0.05 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe, once daily subcutaneous, morning.
Get AOD-9604 → code PEPDOSE
Protocol overview
Dosing & reconstitution
Frequency: Once daily subcutaneous, morning
Typical duration: 8-12 weeks
Reconstitution: 5 mg vial + 0.5 mL bacteriostatic water = 10 mg/mL. Units below are for a U-100 insulin syringe at this concentration.
| Phase | Dose | Units per injection |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 | 300 mcg | 3 units (0.03 mL) |
| Weeks 5-12 | 500 mcg | 5 units (0.05 mL) |
Units = (dose ÷ concentration) × 100 on a U-100 syringe. Change the vial size or water volume and the calculator redoes all of this for you.
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AOD-9604 dosing schedule
From the phase 2b obesity programme, which tested daily amounts over 12 weeks. Worth stating plainly: the trial did not meet its primary endpoint — the compound failed to separate from placebo on weight change.
| Phase | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most-cited arm | 1 mg | Daily | The arm most often referenced from the phase 2b programme. |
| Other arms | 5, 10, 20, 30 mg | Daily | Higher arms in the same trial. None separated from placebo on the primary endpoint. |
Study length: 12 weeks in the phase 2b trial.
Reconstitution and measurement
This part is arithmetic and does not depend on the evidence level. Concentration is vial size divided by the bacteriostatic water you add. Draw volume is your target amount divided by that concentration. Units are draw volume times 100, because a U-100 syringe reads 100 units per millilitre. Common vials for AOD-9604: 5 mg.
- Wipe the stoppers of both vials with an alcohol swab and let them dry.
- Draw the bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe and inject it slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial — never straight onto the powder.
- Swirl gently until the solution is clear. Do not shake; foaming and agitation damage peptides.
- Label the vial with the date and concentration, and refrigerate at 2–8 °C protected from light.
Worked example at the calculator defaults: 5 mg + 2 mL of bacteriostatic water = 2.5 mg/mL, so on a U-100 insulin syringe 1 unit = 25 mcg of AOD-9604. Change either input and the calculator redoes this for you.
Storage and stability
Supplies math
Whatever amounts your research uses, the planning arithmetic is the same. The calculator runs all of this per compound.
Supplies by protocol length
Based on the maintenance dose above (500 mcg, once daily subcutaneous, morning) and a 5 mg vial reconstituted with 0.5 mL.
| Duration | Injections | Vials | Syringes | Bac water | Swabs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 56 | 6 x 5 mg | 62 | 1 x 10 mL | 112 |
| 12 weeks | 84 | 9 x 5 mg | 93 | 1 x 10 mL | 168 |
| 16 weeks | 112 | 12 x 5 mg | 124 | 1 x 10 mL | 224 |
Syringe count includes ~10% spares. Swabs = 2 per injection (stopper + site). Vial count assumes the full maintenance dose for the entire duration.
Important notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
- Use a new sterile insulin syringe for each injection and dispose in a proper sharps container.
- Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) systematically to reduce local irritation and avoid lipohypertrophy.
- Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to ensure complete delivery.
- Administer at the same time each day for consistent levels. Setting a daily reminder helps maintain the schedule.
- The 5 mg vial size is standard for this compound. Reconstitute with 0.5 mL bacteriostatic water for a convenient concentration.
How AOD-9604 works
The C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone, developed on the hypothesis that the lipolytic activity of hGH could be separated from its growth-promoting and glucose effects. It does not raise IGF-1.
Benefits & side effects
Potential benefits
- Fragment of growth hormone targeting fat metabolism
- No effect on blood sugar or IGF-1 levels
- Oral bioavailability in some formulations
- Generally well tolerated in studies
Possible side effects
- Injection site reactions
- Headache reported occasionally
- Minimal systemic side effects in studies
- No significant effect on blood glucose
This list reflects published literature and community reports. Individual responses vary. Not medical advice.
Bloodwork worth tracking
The community-standard practice is a baseline panel before starting, a recheck 8 to 12 weeks in, and another after time off. For AOD-9604, the markers most worth watching:
Fasting glucoselipid panelCMP
Typical time off: 4-8 wks
Lab panels are how a research protocol stays honest: numbers move before symptoms do. Interpretation belongs with a clinician. Not medical advice.
Lifestyle factors
None of the literature above was run on a background of poor sleep and no protein. These variables move outcomes more reliably than any compound on this site.
- Protein in the 1.6 to 2.2 g/kg range preserves lean mass through any body-composition phase.
- Resistance training 2 to 4 days per week plus 150+ minutes of weekly aerobic work reinforces whatever the protocol is doing.
- Sleep is the recovery window: 7 to 9 hours at consistent times.
- Hydration matters more than usual on compounds with GI or flushing effects: 2 to 3 liters daily.
- Track the variables that matter: weigh-ins, measurements, photos, and labs at sensible intervals.
Subcutaneous technique and practical notes
General best practice from clinical injection guidance — the same fundamentals nurses are taught, none of it specific to any compound.
References
Quick answers
How many syringe units is a 500 mcg dose of AOD-9604?
At the standard reconstitution of 5 mg with 0.5 mL bacteriostatic water (10 mg/mL), a 500 mcg dose draws 5 units (0.05 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
How do you reconstitute AOD-9604?
Add 0.5 mL of bacteriostatic water to the 5 mg vial for 10 mg/mL. Inject the water slowly down the inside wall of the vial, swirl gently without shaking, and refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C after mixing.
How long does a 5 mg vial of AOD-9604 last?
About 10 maintenance doses of 500 mcg, roughly 1.4 weeks at once daily subcutaneous, morning.
Does AOD-9604 have human trial data?
Yes. The dosing on this page is anchored to published human research (AOD-9604 phase 2b clinical development in obesity).
How does AOD-9604 work?
The C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone, developed on the hypothesis that the lipolytic activity of hGH could be separated from its growth-promoting and glucose effects. It does not raise IGF-1.
Sourcing AOD-9604
Whatever you are working with, the documentation matters more than the price. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis whose lot number matches the vial you actually receive — a COA for a different batch tells you nothing about yours.
AOD-9604 at Summit Research Supply → Grade a COA first
Summit is the supplier we feature and an affiliate link. Our COA checklist applies the same way to any vendor.
