Side-by-side · Research reference

AOD-9604vsTesofensine

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 3Draft10/40 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

Tesofensine

SNDRI · Phase 3 obesity candidate

0.25–0.5 mgDaily doseAstrup 2008

9.2 kgWeight ↓ (24 wk)Astrup 2008

Phase 3Evidence levelAstrup 2008

Oral · Once daily morning

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

AOD-9604

Tesofensine

Primary target

β3-adrenergic receptor (proposed)Ng 2008

Serotonin / norepinephrine / dopamine transporters (SERT / NET / DAT)Astrup 2008

Pathway

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

Triple monoamine reuptake inhibition → ↑synaptic 5-HT, NE, DA → appetite suppression + thermogenesisAstrup 2008

Downstream effect

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

Strong appetite suppression, mild thermogenic effect, weight lossAstrup 2008

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

Small molecule developed by NeuroSearch (Denmark) for CNS indications, repurposed for obesityAstrup 2008

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

AOD-9604

Tesofensine

Standard dose

250–300 mcg / dayHeffernan 2001

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

0.25–0.5 mg / dayAstrup 2008

Frequency

Once daily, fasted

Once daily, morning

Lower / starter dose

150 mcg / day

0.125 mg / day

Evidence basis

Phase 2 trials + animal-strongHeffernan 2001 Ng 2008

Phase 2b + ongoing Phase 3Astrup 2008

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

24 weeks per studied cycle

Reconstitution

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

—

Timing

Morning fasted preferred (pre-cardio)

Aligns with circadian lipolysis.

Morning to avoid sleep disruption

Half-life

~30 min plasma

~9 days (very long)

Form

—

Oral capsule

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

AOD-9604

Tesofensine

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

Heart rate / BP

—

Dose-dependent ↑ HR + BPAstrup 2008

Insomnia

—

Dose-related; mitigate with morning timing

Dry mouth

—

Common

Nausea

—

Common

Mood changes

—

Anxiety / agitation possible

Cardiovascular events

—

Phase 3 trial monitoring; not yet FDA-cleared

Absolute Contraindications

AOD-9604

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

Tesofensine

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Severe cardiovascular disease
·Concurrent MAOI use

Relative Contraindications

AOD-9604

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

Tesofensine

·Hypertension
·Anxiety disorder
·Insomnia

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

AOD-9604

Tesofensine

1. Reconstitution

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

Oral capsule (investigational; not commercial).

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen preferred. Rotate sites.

Swallow whole with water, morning only.

3. Timing

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

Morning to mitigate insomnia. Do not dose evening.

4. Storage

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

Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

Monitor BP + HR + mood. Avoid stimulants + MAOIs.

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

Tesofensine

— no documented stacks