AOD-9604 (HGH fragment 176-191)
AOD9604, HGH Frag 176-191, Frag 176-191, hGH 176-191, Human growth hormone fragment 176-191
Forms: 'HGH Frag 176-191' is essentially the same peptide: AOD-9604 is hGH 177–191 with a tyrosine added at the start.
A modified fragment from the tail end of the growth hormone molecule, designed as a fat-loss drug without GH's growth effects. It failed its obesity trials and was never approved.
Legal status: Not approved as a medicine; sold as a 'research chemical'. Banned in sport at all times (WADA S2.2.3, growth hormone fragments).
What it gives
What people use it for and what the sources report. Strength is a general category from the literature: mild, clear or strong.
Purpose
Used for fat loss, especially 'stubborn' fat, and sometimes for joints. In human trials (mostly of tablets) it was well tolerated but gave no meaningful weight loss; it does not raise IGF-1 and has no anabolic effect. Joint claims rest on animal data.
What people seek and what studies show
People hope to lose fat, especially at the waist, without growth hormone's effects on blood sugar, water retention or IGF-1. In obese mice it increased fat breakdown and slowed weight gain without raising blood sugar. In people, small studies saw only brief, modest changes; the main obesity trial failed, and its results were announced by the company rather than published. Cartilage repair is shown only in rabbits.
Effects
Evidence: Limited human data — some human studies, small or short
Sought effects by goal (as reported)
Possible side effects
Possible does not mean certain: whether they appear depends on dose, duration, individual response and monitoring. Below — what to watch for and how to notice it early.
3 possible side effects
level · how often it is reportedWhat the levels mean
Level: general category from the literature, not your personal risk
How often
- common
- reported often
- possible
- reported in some people
- rare
- reported occasionally
How to lower the risks
General ways to lower the chance of each side effect. No measure removes a risk completely.
Products obtained without a prescription are often fake, mislabeled or non-sterile, and there is no way to check at home. For legal supplements, look for third-party testing (Informed Sport, NSF).
What is unknown cannot be lowered, only avoided; tell your doctor what you have taken.
Low-level side effects
Check-ups and blood tests
Which tests and check-ups to do and when. This is a guide — agree the exact schedule with your doctor.
Which doctors can help
Myth & fact
“AOD-9604 is fat-burning growth hormone without the side effects.”
It does not act like GH (no IGF-1 rise, no muscle gain), and in a large trial it did not beat placebo for weight loss.
Combinations
No specific combination notes for this substance yet. The stack check still adds up side effects that several substances share.
Sources
Possible side effects by body system, combinations, how to lower the risks and which tests to do — free.
Open the stack check