Metabolic
AOD-9604
Modified hGH Fragment 176-191 · fragment · fat-targeting
A modified fragment of growth hormone that failed to beat placebo for weight loss in its own phase-2b trial — one of the weaker evidence cases in this library, despite heavy marketing.
Reference status
Editorial research · independent review pending · 3 claims graded
What it is
AOD-9604 is a stabilised version of a small fragment of human growth hormone, developed specifically to isolate GH's fat-metabolising effect without its GH-receptor-driven growth effects. It was actually trialled as an obesity drug by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals.
The honest and important detail here: its phase-2b obesity trial did not show a significant weight-loss benefit over placebo. Regulators in more than one market have also raised quality and safety concerns about products sold online as AOD-9604. This is one of the clearer 'evidence doesn't support the marketing' cases in the library.
The science, graded
What’s claimed — and how strong the evidence behind each claim actually is.
“Targets fat loss without affecting blood sugar or growth”
The original design rationale, based on animal fat-metabolism research.
Claim-level citation mapping is in progress.
“Produces significant weight loss in humans”
Its own phase-2b obesity trial did not show a statistically significant benefit over placebo.
Claim-level citation mapping is in progress.
“Free of side effects and safe to buy online”
Contradicted by regulatory quality/safety warnings about products sold under this name.
Claim-level citation mapping is in progress.
Legal and regulatory context
Separate summaries for Great Britain, the United States, and the European Union. These are preliminary research summaries awaiting independent regional review; they are not legal determinations or advice.
Great Britain
Not a licensed medicine anywhere. Regulators in some markets have specifically flagged quality and safety concerns with products sold online as AOD-9604 — treat marketing claims for it with particular caution.
This is preliminary regulatory research, not a reviewed legal determination or legal advice.
United States
Regional legal and regulatory review required before publication.
This is preliminary regulatory research, not a reviewed legal determination or legal advice.
- FDA's Concerns About Unapproved Drugs · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
European Union
Regional legal and regulatory review required before publication.
This is preliminary regulatory research, not a reviewed legal determination or legal advice.
- Buying medicines online · European Medicines Agency
What the community says
Still marketed and discussed as a fat-loss peptide despite its disappointing trial result — one of the compounds where community enthusiasm and the actual evidence diverge most.
Where they’re talking
- r/PeptidesSceptics regularly point to the failed phase-2b trial.
- Weight-loss forumsStill marketed heavily despite the trial outcome.
References
- 1.Supply unlicensed medicinal products (specials) · MHRA
- 2.FDA's Concerns About Unapproved Drugs · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- 3.Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- 4.Buying medicines online · European Medicines Agency