Comparison
AOD-9604 vs Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Side-by-side of AOD-9604 and Omega-3 (EPA/DHA). Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
AOD-9604
AOD 9604 peptide: 16-amino-acid hGH fragment 176-191. Preclinical lipolytic activity, phase 2 obesity trial showed no weight loss vs placebo.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Omega 3 fish oil profile: EPA/DHA marine fatty acids, 2-4 g/day cuts triglycerides 20-30%, REDUCE-IT showed 25% cardiovascular risk reduction on icosapent eth.
Effects at a glance
AOD-9604
- •Modified 16-amino-acid synthetic fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176-191)
- •Preclinical models show lipolytic activity in adipose tissue without GH-axis growth effects
- •Phase 2 obesity trial (Heffernan 2001) showed no significant weight-loss difference versus placebo
- •Anecdotal protocols use 250 to 500 mcg subcutaneously daily on an empty stomach
- •No FDA approval; the obesity drug development program was discontinued in 2007
- •Granted GRAS status in some jurisdictions for compounded use; not validated for fat loss in humans
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
- •Reduces fasting triglycerides 20-50% at 2-4 g/day in hypertriglyceridemic patients
- •REDUCE-IT showed 25% relative risk reduction in major CV events at 4 g/day icosapent ethyl
- •Modest antidepressant effect (SMD ~0.40) for EPA-dominant formulations at 1-2 g/day
- •Atrial fibrillation incidence rises ~30-50% at 4 g/day; relevant for older patients with pre-existing CV disease
- •Tissue omega-3 index (RBC EPA + DHA) target ~8%; Western baseline typically 4-5%
- •Triglyceride and re-esterified triglyceride forms absorb ~70% better than ethyl esters in fasted state
Side-by-side
| Attribute | AOD-9604 | Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | supplement |
| Also known as | hGH fragment 176-191, Human Growth Hormone Fragment 176-191 | fish oil, EPA, DHA, marine omega-3 |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 48 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.3 | 2000 |
| Dosing frequency | daily | 1 to 2 times daily with food |
| Routes | subcutaneous | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 4 |
| Peak (hr) | 2 | 12 |
| Molecular weight | 1815.17 | 302.45 |
| Molecular formula | C78H125N23O23S2 | C20H30O2 (EPA); C22H32O2 (DHA) |
| Mechanism | Modified C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone proposed to stimulate beta-3 adrenergic receptor signaling in adipocytes, increasing lipolysis and fatty-acid oxidation without engaging the GH receptor or activating IGF-1. | Substitutes arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipids, shifting eicosanoid production toward less-inflammatory 3-series prostaglandins and 5-series leukotrienes. Activates PPAR-alpha to lower hepatic VLDL/triglyceride synthesis. DHA modulates synaptic membrane fluidity and neuronal function. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market in most jurisdictions | Dietary supplement; prescription forms (icosapent ethyl, omega-3 acid ethyl esters) for severe hypertriglyceridemia |
| WADA status | unknown | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status | Not scheduled |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Recommended at 200 to 600 mg DHA/day for fetal development |
| CAS | 221231-10-3 | 10417-94-4 |
| PubChem CID | 71300630 | 446284 |
| Wikidata | Q4654106 | Q207688 |
Safety profile
AOD-9604
Common side effects
- injection-site reactions
- transient mild headache (anecdotal)
- minimal in clinical trials
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- no established human safety profile for chronic use
Interactions
- beta-blockers: theoretical antagonism of beta-3 adrenergic lipolytic signaling(minor)
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Common side effects
- fishy aftertaste
- eructation (fish burps)
- mild dyspepsia
- loose stools at high doses
Contraindications
- fish allergy (use algal omega-3 alternative)
- active bleeding disorders
- scheduled surgery (discontinue 5-7 days prior)
Interactions
- warfarin and DOACs: additive antiplatelet effect at 2+ g/day; meaningful bleeding risk(moderate)
- aspirin and antiplatelet agents: additive bleeding risk at high doses(moderate)
- statins: complementary cardiovascular effects; no pharmacokinetic interaction(minor)
- antiarrhythmics: high-dose omega-3 increases AF risk; relevant in pre-existing arrhythmia(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. AOD-9604 is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is fat loss, pick AOD-9604.
- → If your priority is body composition, pick AOD-9604.
- → If your priority is cardiovascular health, pick Omega-3 (EPA/DHA).
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick Omega-3 (EPA/DHA).
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: Omega-3 (EPA/DHA). Lower friction to source, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for AOD-9604 only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between AOD-9604 and Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)?
AOD-9604 and Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) differ in category (peptide vs supplement), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, AOD-9604 or Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)?
AOD-9604 half-life is 0.5 hours; Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) half-life is 48 hours.
Can you stack AOD-9604 with Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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