AOD 9604 5 mg vials are a common research peptide size. Learn how reconstitution, dosing, storage, and comparisons to tesamorelin work in lab settings.
AOD 9604 5 mg refers to a single research vial containing 5 milligrams of AOD-9604, a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone (HGH 177-191) that scientists study for its effects on fat metabolism. The 5 mg size is one of the most common formats sold by research peptide suppliers because it is easy to reconstitute and large enough for a multi-week experiment. AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved for human use in the United States, and it is sold for laboratory research only.
Anyone considering it outside a lab should speak with a licensed healthcare professional first. Human safety data remain limited, and no online protocol replaces medical supervision.
What AOD 9604 Is and Why the 5 mg Vial Matters
AOD-9604 is a modified piece of the growth hormone molecule. It keeps the region that appears to influence fat breakdown while leaving out the part tied to growth and blood sugar effects. That separation is why researchers study it as a metabolic peptide rather than as a growth hormone replacement.
Quick reference for the compound:
- Also called: AOD9604, HGH fragment 177-191, AOD-9604
- Molecular weight: approximately 1,815 Da
- CAS number: 221231-10-3
- Typical form: lyophilized white powder
- Common vial sizes: 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg
A 5 mg vial is a middle-ground option. It costs less than a 10 mg vial but still provides enough material for several weeks of low-dose work or a shorter higher-dose run.
AOD 9604 Reconstitution: Mixing the 5 mg Vial
Reconstitution means adding bacteriostatic water to the lyophilized powder so it can be measured with a syringe. The math is simple once you decide how much water to use. Many labs begin with a standard aod 9604 reconstitution guide and adjust the volume from there.
Basic process:
- Let the vial and the bacteriostatic water reach room temperature.
- Swab both stoppers with an alcohol pad.
- Inject the water slowly down the inside wall of the vial instead of directly onto the powder.
- Swirl gently (do not shake) until the powder dissolves completely.
- Refrigerate the reconstituted vial at 2-8 degrees Celsius and protect it from light.
Concentration matters more than the water volume itself. If you add 1 mL to a 5 mg vial, the concentration is 5 mg/mL, so 10 units on a U-100 insulin syringe equals 500 mcg. If you add 2 mL, the concentration is 2.5 mg/mL and the same 10 units equals 250 mcg.
AOD 9604 Dosage Used in Research
There is no universally accepted aod 9604 dosage, because the human trials were short, small, and never designed to set a standard. Published work has used amounts in the range of roughly 300 mcg to 1 mg per day, often given as one or two subcutaneous injections.
Vial duration at common research amounts:
| Daily amount | Days a 5 mg vial lasts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 300 mcg | About 16 days | Lower end of published ranges |
| 500 mcg | 10 days | Frequently cited middle ground |
| 1 mg | 5 days | Upper end seen in early trials |
Online dosing charts are anecdotal, not clinical. A number that worked for one person in a forum post has no established safety record behind it.
AOD 9604 Benefits and Side Effects Reported So Far
When people ask about aod 9604 benefits and side effects, the honest answer is that the evidence is thin and mixed. Some early human studies reported reductions in body fat, while others found no meaningful difference from placebo.
What research has suggested so far:
- Possible increases in fat breakdown and fat oxidation in animal models.
- Little to no rise in IGF-1 or blood glucose at the doses studied.
- No consistent gains in lean muscle mass.
- Inconsistent fat-loss results across the human trials that exist.
Reported side effects in small studies were generally mild and included injection-site reactions, headache, and nausea. Long-term safety data do not exist, and the peptide is not approved for weight loss in the United States.
How AOD 9604 Compares With Tesamorelin, MOTS-c, and Retatrutide
Researchers often compare aod 9604 vs tesamorelin because both are studied for fat reduction, but the two work in different ways. Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog that is FDA-approved for a specific condition, while AOD-9604 is not approved for any human use.
Others look at aod 9604 vs retatrutide when weighing older peptide research against the newest GLP-1-based drugs. Retatrutide is an investigational triple agonist with far more modern clinical trial data behind it.
| Compound | Class / Mechanism | Regulatory status (US) | Research notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AOD-9604 | HGH fragment studied for lipolysis | Not approved for human use | Small, older trials; mixed fat-loss results |
| Tesamorelin | GHRH analog that raises endogenous GH | FDA-approved for HIV-related lipodystrophy | Prescription only; daily injection |
| MOTS-c | Mitochondrial-derived peptide | Not approved for human use | Early metabolic and exercise research |
| Retatrutide | GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple agonist | Investigational; not approved | Large phase 2 trials with notable weight loss |
| Tirzepatide | GLP-1 / GIP dual agonist | FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and weight management | Extensive trial data; prescription only |
The gap in evidence quality is real. AOD-9604 has a long history but few large modern trials, while retatrutide, tirzepatide, and similar drugs have thousands of trial participants behind them.
Storage, Purity, and What a 5 mg Vial Costs
Lyophilized AOD-9604 is relatively stable. Keep the sealed powder in a cool, dark place, or refrigerate it for longer storage. Once reconstituted, it should stay refrigerated and be used within a few weeks.
Things to check before buying:
- Purity: look for 98% or higher by HPLC testing.
- Certificate of analysis (COA): a real COA lists a batch number, test date, and testing lab.
- Price: 5 mg vials commonly run from about $30 to $80 depending on the vendor.
- Labeling: legitimate research suppliers mark products as for research use only.
Prices far below that range are a warning sign, since manufacturing a pure peptide is not cheap.
Legal Status and Safety Reminders
AOD-9604 is not a dietary supplement, and the FDA has not approved it for any human condition. In the United States it is sold as a research chemical, which means it is not intended for human consumption.
- It is illegal for vendors to market it as a drug or supplement for human use.
- Sterility and purity of research-grade vials are not guaranteed to pharmaceutical standards.
- People who are pregnant, nursing, or managing a medical condition should avoid it entirely.
- Discussing the peptide with a doctor is reasonable, but most clinicians will not prescribe it.
Anyone using AOD-9604 for personal fat loss is doing so outside approved medical use and without long-term safety data.
The Bottom Line on AOD 9604 5 mg
A 5 mg vial of AOD-9604 is a convenient research size that is easy to reconstitute and measure in small increments. The science behind the peptide is older and less conclusive than the marketing around it suggests, and it is not approved for human use in the United States.
For general wellness and weight goals, evidence-based options reviewed with a physician remain the safer path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AOD 9604 5 mg used for?
AOD 9604 5 mg is a research-grade vial of AOD-9604, a growth hormone fragment studied for its effects on fat metabolism. It is sold for laboratory research only and is not FDA-approved for human use. Most published human studies on it were small and short, so results have been mixed.
How much bacteriostatic water do I add to an AOD 9604 5 mg vial?
Most labs add either 1 mL or 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to a 5 mg vial. Adding 1 mL creates a 5 mg/mL concentration, so 10 units on a U-100 syringe equals 500 mcg. Adding 2 mL creates a 2.5 mg/mL concentration, so the same 10 units equals 250 mcg.
Is AOD 9604 FDA-approved or legal to use in the US?
No, the FDA has not approved AOD-9604 for any human condition, including weight loss. It is legally sold in the US only as a research chemical, not as a drug or dietary supplement. Vendors cannot lawfully market it for human consumption, and it has no established long-term safety record.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.