AOD-9604 and tesamorelin are compared because both are discussed in relation to growth hormone and body fat. AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone, amino acids 177 to 191, studied for fat metabolism. Tesamorelin is a stabilized analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and is FDA-approved as Egrifta for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
At a glance
| AOD-9604 | Tesamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 177 to 191) studied for fat metabolism | Stabilized GHRH analog, FDA-approved as Egrifta for visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy |
| How it's thought to work | Studied for mimicking the fat-breakdown region of growth hormone without its effects on blood sugar or growth | Stimulates pulsatile GH release, raising IGF-1 and preferentially mobilizing visceral abdominal fat |
| Regulatory status | Not FDA-approved for any use; clinical development did not lead to an approved product | FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy specifically; other uses are off-label |
| Strength of evidence | Animal studies of fat breakdown; published human data is mostly about safety and tolerability | Multiple human clinical trials support visceral fat reduction; basis for FDA approval |
| Reported side effects | Injection site irritation, headache, mild nausea | Injection site reactions, joint pain, fluid retention, tingling, elevated blood sugar |
| Common vial sizes | 5mg | 2mg, 5mg, 10mg |
| Mixing math example | 5 mg + 2.5 mL BAC water = 2,000 mcg/mL, 20 mcg per unit | 5 mg + 2 mL BAC water = 2,500 mcg/mL, 25 mcg per unit |
Key differences
AOD-9604 is studied for mimicking the fat-breakdown region of growth hormone without affecting blood sugar or growth rate the way full growth hormone does. Tesamorelin works upstream: it stimulates the body's own pulsatile growth hormone release, raising IGF-1, and research describes it as preferentially mobilizing visceral abdominal fat.
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, and other uses are off-label. AOD-9604 is not approved by the FDA for any use, and its clinical development did not lead to an approved product.
AOD-9604's reported side effects include injection site irritation, headache and mild nausea. Tesamorelin's include injection site reactions, joint pain, fluid retention, tingling and elevated blood sugar.
What the research covers
Tesamorelin has multiple human clinical trials of visceral fat reduction, the basis of its FDA approval. AOD-9604's fat-breakdown findings come from animal research (Heffernan et al., 2001), and its published human data is mostly about safety and tolerability (Stier et al., 2013).
Sources
- The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and beta(3)-AR knock-out mice. Heffernan M et al. Endocrinology, 2001. Preclinical
- Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans. Stier et al. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2013. Human trial
- Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. Falutz J et al. N Engl J Med, 2007. Human trial
- EGRIFTA (tesamorelin for injection), for subcutaneous use - Prescribing Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2019. Fda label
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AOD-9604 and tesamorelin?
AOD-9604 is a fragment of human growth hormone studied for fat metabolism. Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog that stimulates the body's own growth hormone release and is FDA-approved as Egrifta.
Is AOD-9604 or tesamorelin FDA-approved?
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy only. AOD-9604 is not approved by the FDA for any use.
Does AOD-9604 raise growth hormone like tesamorelin?
No. AOD-9604 is itself a fragment of growth hormone and is studied for fat metabolism without growth hormone's other effects. Tesamorelin stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone.
Which has more human research, AOD-9604 or tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin has more, with multiple human trials supporting its approval. AOD-9604's published human data is mostly about safety and tolerability.
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