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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides30 plates · MIT
PeptidesDBan atlas
Side-by-side · Research reference

AOD-9604vsSermorelin

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 3Reviewed14/43 cited
AOD-9604
HGH 176-191 · β3-AR Lipolytic
250–300 mcgDaily doseHeffernan 2001
Phase 2Evidence levelHeffernan 2001Ng 2008
~30 minHalf-life
SQ · Abdomen · Daily fasted
Sermorelin
GHRH 1-29 fragment · Short-acting
100–500 mcgPer doseMolteno 2013
Phase 3Evidence levelWalker 1994Molteno 2013
~12 minHalf-lifeMolteno 2013
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter
AOD-9604
Sermorelin
Primary target
β3-adrenergic receptor (proposed)Ng 2008
Pituitary GHRH receptorWalker 1994
Pathway
β3-AR activation → cAMP → hormone-sensitive lipase activation → triglyceride breakdown to FFA + glycerolNg 2008
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisWalker 1994
Downstream effect
Lipolysis of adipose tissue triglycerides; FFA release for oxidation; minimal IGF-1 / insulin impactHeffernan 2001
Pulsatile GH release; subsequent IGF-1 elevationMolteno 2013
Feedback intact?
No GH-axis or IGF-1 feedback
Yes — short pulse preserves feedback
Origin
Synthetic modified C-terminal hexadecapeptide fragment of human GH (176-191) with N-terminal Tyr substitutionNg 2008
Unmodified active 29-AA fragment of human GHRH (1-44)Walker 1994
Antibody development
—
—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter
AOD-9604
Sermorelin
Standard dose
250–300 mcg / dayHeffernan 2001
Anecdotal SQ range. Phase 2 trial dose 1 mg/day oral.
100–500 mcg per injectionMolteno 2013
Frequency
Once daily, fasted
Once daily, pre-sleep
Lower / starter dose
150 mcg / day
100 mcg per dose
Evidence basis
Phase 2 trials + animal-strongHeffernan 2001Ng 2008
Phase 3 (Geref pediatric); clinical practiceWalker 1994Molteno 2013
Duration
8–12 weeks per cycle
8–12 weeks per cycle
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water, 1 mL per 2 mg vial → 2 mg/mL
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
Morning fasted preferred (pre-cardio)
Aligns with circadian lipolysis.
Pre-sleep, fasted preferred
Half-life
~30 min plasma
~12 min (plasma)Molteno 2013
Shorter than tesamorelin (~26 min) — simpler GHRH analogue.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter
AOD-9604
Sermorelin
Injection site reaction
Mild erythema
Mild erythema, transient pain
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
Modest at standard doses
Insulin sensitivity
Neutral — no glucose impairmentHeffernan 2001
—
Cancer risk
No GH/IGF-1 axis activity → lower theoretical risk vs HGH
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Avoid
Flushing / headache
—
Common transient effect
Glucose handling
—
Generally neutral
Absolute Contraindications
AOD-9604
  • ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
  • ·Severe cardiovascular disease (caution with β-receptor agonists)
Sermorelin
  • ·Active malignancy
  • ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
  • ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative Contraindications
AOD-9604
  • ·Concurrent β-blocker therapy (theoretical antagonism)
  • ·Pheochromocytoma
Sermorelin
  • ·Untreated diabetes

05Administration Protocol

Parameter
AOD-9604
Sermorelin
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 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.
2. Injection site
SQ — abdomen preferred. Rotate sites.
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Morning, fasted, ideally pre-cardio for amplified fat oxidation.
Pre-sleep, fasted.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate, ≤30 days.
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
29–31G, 4–8 mm 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
Sermorelin
+ Ipamorelin
Strong
View Ipamorelin →

Sermorelin (GHRH analogue) and ipamorelin (selective GHRP) form the prototypical GHRH+GHRP dual-axis stack at the lowest cost. Both peak within 30 min and produce a sharp physiological GH pulse without cortisol/prolactin elevation.

Sermorelin
200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
Ipamorelin
200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit
Pulsatile GH stimulation, recovery, body composition
Raun 1998Walker 1994