Side-by-side · Research reference

AOD-9604vsMelanotan-II

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 2Reviewed10/47 cited

BPhase 1Reviewed9/43 cited

AOD-9604

HGH 176-191 · β3-AR Lipolytic

250–300 mcgDaily doseHeffernan 2001

Phase 2Evidence levelHeffernan 2001 Ng 2008

~30 minHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Daily fasted

Melanotan-II

MC1R + MC4R agonist · Tanning + sexual response

0.25–1.0 mgPer doseDorr 1996

Phase 1Evidence levelDorr 1996

~1 hrHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Loading 5–7 days, then maintenance

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

AOD-9604

Melanotan-II

Primary target

β3-adrenergic receptor (proposed)Ng 2008

MC1R (skin) + MC3R + MC4R (CNS sexual / appetite)Dorr 1996

Pathway

β3-AR activation → cAMP → hormone-sensitive lipase activation → triglyceride breakdown to FFA + glycerolNg 2008

MC1R agonism → melanocyte tyrosinase → eumelanin synthesis. MC4R → autonomic sexual arousal centresDorr 1996 Simerly 2023

Downstream effect

Lipolysis of adipose tissue triglycerides; FFA release for oxidation; minimal IGF-1 / insulin impactHeffernan 2001

Skin darkening, photo-protection, increased sexual desire / spontaneous erectionDorr 1996

Feedback intact?

No GH-axis or IGF-1 feedback

—

Origin

Synthetic modified C-terminal hexadecapeptide fragment of human GH (176-191) with N-terminal Tyr substitutionNg 2008

Cyclic 7-AA modified α-MSH analog; designed at University of ArizonaDorr 1996

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

AOD-9604

Melanotan-II

Standard dose

250–300 mcg / dayHeffernan 2001

Anecdotal SQ range. Phase 2 trial dose 1 mg/day oral.

—

Frequency

Once daily, fasted

Daily during loading; 1–2× per week maintenance

Lower / starter dose

150 mcg / day

0.1 mg / day

Conservative starter — assess tolerability for nausea.

Evidence basis

Phase 2 trials + animal-strongHeffernan 2001 Ng 2008

Phase 1 + anecdotalDorr 1996

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water, 1 mL per 2 mg vial → 2 mg/mL

Bacteriostatic water; protect from light

Timing

Morning fasted preferred (pre-cardio)

Aligns with circadian lipolysis.

Evening preferred (24h tan-development cycle)

Half-life

~30 min plasma

~1 hour plasma; effects on melanocytes persist days

Loading phase

—

0.25–0.5 mg/day SQ × 5–7 daysDorr 1996

Builds up to visible tan.

Maintenance

—

0.5–1.0 mg 1–2×/week

After visible tan develops; supports with UV exposure.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

AOD-9604

Melanotan-II

Injection site reaction

Mild erythema

—

GI symptoms

Rare mild nausea

—

Cardiovascular

Possible mild HR increase via β3-AR (theoretical β1 cross-reactivity)

—

IGF-1 elevation

None — designed to lack GH-axis activityHeffernan 2001

—

Insulin sensitivity

Neutral — no glucose impairmentHeffernan 2001

—

Cancer risk

No GH/IGF-1 axis activity → lower theoretical risk vs HGH

—

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Contraindicated

Nausea

—

Common, especially loading phase

Flushing

—

Common transient

Spontaneous erection

—

Common in men — MC4R cross-effectDorr 1996

Increased mole / freckle pigmentation

—

Existing moles darken; new lesions possible

Melanoma risk

—

Theoretical concern — increased melanocyte activity; CAUTION in melanoma history

Appetite suppression

—

MC4R-mediated; mild

Absolute Contraindications

AOD-9604

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Severe cardiovascular disease (caution with β-receptor agonists)

Melanotan-II

·History of melanoma or atypical mole syndrome
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active uncontrolled hypertension

Relative Contraindications

AOD-9604

·Concurrent β-blocker therapy (theoretical antagonism)
·Pheochromocytoma

Melanotan-II

·Significant freckling / dysplastic nevus
·Personal or family melanoma history

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

AOD-9604

Melanotan-II

1. Reconstitution

Add 1 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 2 mg/mL = 200 mcg per 0.1 mL.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial → 5 mg/mL = 500 mcg per 0.1 mL. Light-protected.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen preferred. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Morning, fasted, ideally pre-cardio for amplified fat oxidation.

Evening preferred. UV exposure (sunlight or tanning bed) helps develop tan.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate, ≤30 days.

Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

29–31G insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

AOD-9604

+ MOTS-c

Moderate

View MOTS-c →

AOD-9604 mobilises FFAs from adipose via β3-AR; MOTS-c upregulates AMPK / PGC-1α / FAO machinery so that mobilised FFAs are efficiently oxidised. The pathways are sequential — supply (AOD) plus demand (MOTS-c) — and produce more durable lipolytic effects than either alone in anecdotal protocols.

AOD-9604: 250–300 mcg SQ · morning fasted (daily)
MOTS-c: 5 mg SQ · 2–3× per week (pre-workout)
Primary benefit: Fat mobilisation + mitochondrial oxidation, no IGF-1 concern

Melanotan-II

— no documented stacks