Legal status · United States
Is AOD-9604 legal in the United States?
No. AOD-9604 is not an approved medicine in the United States; its classification is "Not approved; research use only". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. Human evidence: Preliminary.
AOD-9604 in the United States at a glance
| Classification | Not approved; research use only |
|---|---|
| FDA approval status | Not an approved drug (failed obesity trials); GRAS notifications as a food ingredient |
| Evidence level | Preliminary (research strength: Preliminary) |
| Reviewed | Sep 2026 |
Classification and note come from the AOD-9604 profile, checked against U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) listings at the reviewed date.
What this means
- 01
No product containing AOD-9604 is approved by FDA for any use in the United States, so nothing on the market is authorized for people.
- 02
"Research use only" is a vendor label, not a legal category that permits human use. It does not exempt a product from medicines law.
- 03
Importing, supplying or promoting it for human use can fall under medicines legislation in the United States. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What AOD-9604 is
A modified fragment of growth hormone developed for obesity that promotes fat metabolism in animals but failed to beat placebo in human weight-loss trials.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic analogue of the C-terminal fragment of growth hormone (residues 177-191) with an added N-terminal tyrosine. It was developed as an anti-obesity drug because it promotes fat breakdown without the growth-promoting or glucose effects of full growth hormone.
Mechanism: Stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis in fat cells in animal models, without meaningful effects on IGF-1 or blood glucose.
Regulatory history: Not an approved drug (failed obesity trials); GRAS notifications as a food ingredient
How FDA treats this kind of product
Approves prescription drugs by indication and polices unapproved products, including peptides sold online. Compounding pharmacies may prepare some compounds under a prescription when the FDA places them on a permitted bulk-substances category.
The classification above is the The Longevity Archive reading of U.S. Food and Drug Administration listings for AOD-9604 at the reviewed date, not a legal opinion. Rules change, and importing, prescribing and possessing a compound can each be treated differently. Check the regulator directly before acting on anything here.
AOD-9604 in other countries
Frequently asked questions
Is AOD-9604 legal in the United States?
No. AOD-9604 is not an approved medicine in the United States; its classification is "Not approved; research use only". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. Human evidence: Preliminary.
Can I buy AOD-9604 in the United States?
No approved product exists to buy. In the United States AOD-9604 is classified as "Not approved; research use only", so there is no licensed pharmacy product. Vendors selling it "for research use only" are not selling it for human use, and that label does not change its legal status. This site does not list or recommend vendors.
Is AOD-9604 FDA approved?
No. FDA status: Not an approved drug (failed obesity trials); GRAS notifications as a food ingredient. Current US classification: "Not approved; research use only". Evidence level: Preliminary.
Related compounds in the United States
Full research profile
Mechanism, cited studies, FDA status and the full legal summary for AOD-9604 live on its compound profile.
AOD-9604 profileThis page is general information about the regulatory status of AOD-9604 in the United States, current as of Sep 2026. It is not legal advice, and classifications change; check U.S. Food and Drug Administration directly or consult a lawyer for a specific situation. Educational use only. This database summarizes published research. It is not medical advice and contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use. The Longevity Archive has no vendor relationships and does not recommend where to buy anything.