Bottom line

A boundary-case entry: AOD-9604 and HGH Fragment 176-191 are not a "blend" of distinct peptides but two variant forms of the same C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone, often confused or marketed interchangeably. AOD-9604 (Tyr-hGH 177-191) is a pharmaceutical optimisation with published Phase II human data; HGH Fragment 176-191 is the unmodified native sequence with no independent human trial data.

No established or recommended human dose.

Name and formulation variability

Observed source/dateClaimed componentsClaimed amountsVerification limits
Various vendors"AOD-9604 + HGH Frag 176-191"VariableOften sold as a "stack" not a single-vial blend
Various vendors"AOD-9604" alone2–5 mg per vialResearch-grade; COA varies
Various vendors"HGH Frag 176-191" alone2–5 mg per vialOften labelled as AOD-9604 interchangeably

These are often marketed as a "stack" for fat loss but are chemically distinct variants of the same GH region, not complementary peptides.

Component evidence

ComponentSeparate evidenceEvidence for combinationCompatibility/stability evidence
AOD-9604 (Tyr-hGH 177-191)Phase IIb RCT: ~1.8–2 kg fat loss over placebo at 1 mg/day oral; 6 Phase I/II trials (~900 participants); Phase IIb 24-week trial (n=536) failed primary endpoint; no IGF-1 elevation; development discontinued 2007No rationale for combining both forms — they compete for the same receptorN/A — same binding site
HGH Fragment 176-191 (native)Preclinical only; no published human trial; data often erroneously attributed from AOD-9604No rationale for combiningN/A

AOD-9604 is distinguished by an N-terminal tyrosine that improves stability. The grey-market HGH Frag 176-191 lacks this modification.

Combination-specific studies

No study has tested AOD-9604 + HGH Frag 176-191 as a combination because they are variant forms of the same peptide, not complementary agents.

Safety and interaction uncertainties

  • AOD-9604 well-tolerated in Phase I/II; no IGF-1 elevation; no glucose disruption

  • Unmodified HGH Frag 176-191 has no human safety data

  • GRAS notice (GRN 000792) for food ingredient use — not a drug approval

  • WADA: both prohibited as GH fragments (S2 class)

Regulatory and product-quality notes

  • Neither is FDA-approved for any indication

  • AOD-9604 was an investigational drug; development terminated 2007

  • Mislabeling between AOD-9604 and HGH Frag 176-191 is widespread

  • FDA enforcement actions against compounders marketing unapproved peptides

Evidence gaps

  • No human trial data for HGH Frag 176-191 specifically

  • AOD-9604's published trial data never appeared in PubMed-indexed journals

  • No validated human dosing protocol for either compound

  • Widespread vendor confusion between the two variants

Sources

  1. Clinical Peptide. AOD-9604 vs HGH Fragment 176-191. https://clinicalpeptide.org/compare/aod-9604-vs-hgh-frag-176-191/ accessed 2026-08-06.

  2. PeptideBase. AOD-9604 Research Guide. https://peptidebase.io/peptides/aod-9604 accessed 2026-08-06.

  3. HealthRX. HGH Frag 176-191 Evidence. https://healthrx.com/peptides-specialty/hgh-frag-176-191 accessed 2026-08-06.

  4. Useful Vitamins. AOD-9604 Explained. https://usefulvitamins.com/aod-9604-explained/ accessed 2026-08-06.

  5. Heffernan M, et al. Endocrinology. 2001;142(11):4723-4730. PMID 11713213.