Side-by-side · Research reference

AOD-9604vsThymalin

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

APhase 2Reviewed10/47 cited

BHuman-MechanisticDraft12/40 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

Thymalin

Immune restorer · Russian peptide bioregulator

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2002

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2002

HoursHalf-life (est)

IM · Daily for 5–10 days · 1-2×/year

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

AOD-9604

Thymalin

Primary target

β3-adrenergic receptor (proposed)Ng 2008

T-cell precursors + thymus-axis maturation pathwayKhavinson 2002

Pathway

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

Modulation of T-cell differentiation + thymic hormone restoration in age-involuted thymusKhavinson 2002

Downstream effect

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

Restored T-cell populations, improved immune surveillance, reduced infection rates in elderlyKhavinson 2002

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

Polypeptide fraction isolated from calf thymus extractKhavinson 2002

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

AOD-9604

Thymalin

Standard dose

250–300 mcg / dayHeffernan 2001

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

5–10 mg / day IM × 5–10 daysKhavinson 2002

Frequency

Once daily, fasted

Once daily during cycle

Lower / starter dose

150 mcg / day

2.5 mg / day

Evidence basis

Phase 2 trials + animal-strongHeffernan 2001 Ng 2008

Russian clinical + in vitroKhavinson 2002

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

5–10 day cycles, 1–2× per year

Reconstitution

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

Saline or bacteriostatic water

Timing

Morning fasted preferred (pre-cardio)

Aligns with circadian lipolysis.

Morning preferred

Half-life

~30 min plasma

Hours (estimated)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

AOD-9604

Thymalin

Injection site reaction

Mild erythema

Mild erythema at IM site

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

Allergic reaction

—

Rare hypersensitivity to bovine-derived polypeptide

Autoimmune flare

—

Theoretical risk in active autoimmune disease

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western data

Absolute Contraindications

AOD-9604

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

Thymalin

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Bovine protein hypersensitivity

Relative Contraindications

AOD-9604

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

Thymalin

·Active autoimmune disease
·Concurrent immunosuppressant therapy

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

AOD-9604

Thymalin

1. Reconstitution

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

Add 1–2 mL saline or bacteriostatic water per 10 mg vial.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen preferred. Rotate sites.

Intramuscular — deltoid or gluteal. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Morning preferred during cycle.

4. Storage

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

Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: use immediately.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

23–25G, 25–38 mm IM needle.

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

Thymalin

+ Thymosin α-1

Moderate

View Thymosin α-1 →

Thymalin is a polypeptide complex; Thymosin α-1 is a single purified peptide. Both target the thymus-axis but at different levels — Thymalin restores broad thymic signaling; Tα-1 provides a specific molecular activator. Anecdotally combined for elderly immune support.

Thymalin: 5–10 mg IM · daily × 7 days
Thymosin α-1: 1.6 mg SQ · 2× weekly during the cycle
Primary benefit: Broad thymic restoration + targeted immune activation

Khavinson 2002 Camerini 2001