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Metabolic & Weight
The dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist behind Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Metabolic & Weight
A growth-hormone fragment developed for obesity — it failed its key trial.
Tirzepatide is FDA-approved and rated 5/5 for evidence; AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5. Tirzepatide has more human evidence behind it. AOD-9604 is banned in sport by WADA; Tirzepatide is not. Both are used for metabolic & weight goals.
| Compare | Tirzepatide The dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist behind Mounjaro and Zepbound. | AOD-9604 A growth-hormone fragment developed for obesity — it failed its key trial. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Metabolic & Weight | Metabolic & Weight |
| Evidence | 5/5FDA-approved on the basis of large phase 3 programs (SURPASS for diabetes, SURMOUNT for obesity, SURMOUNT-OSA for sleep apnea). | 3/5Human trials exist and showed it was well tolerated, but the largest (phase 2b, 536 people) missed its weight-loss endpoint. Positive findings are mostly from animals. |
| FDA status | FDA-approved (Mounjaro 2022, Zepbound 2023) | Not FDA-approved |
| WADA (sport) | Not on the Prohibited List | Banned |
| Also known as | Mounjaro, Zepbound, LY3298176, AMP-2 (TR) | Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, Tyr-hGH(177-191), hGH fragment 176-191 (modified) |
| How it works | A 39-amino-acid peptide with a C20 fatty diacid at lysine-20 that binds albumin, so it lasts about 5 days. GLP-1 and GIP receptor activation lowers appetite, slows stomach emptying, and boosts insulin release when blood sugar is high. | Proposed to stimulate fat breakdown (lipolysis) and block fat storage in fat cells, mimicking a region of GH. It does not raise IGF-1 the way full GH does. Mechanism in humans is not well established. |
| Half-life | About 5 days (once-weekly dosing) | Short (minutes to under an hour); not well characterized |
| Commonly reported doses |
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| Route | Subcutaneous (abdomen, thigh, upper arm) | Subcutaneous, abdomen |
| Good once mixed | ~28 days in the fridge | ~28 days in the fridge |
| Top side effects |
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| Lowest research-listing price per mg | $1.10 (60 mg vial, 40% off) | $6.00 (5 mg vial, 40% off) |
| Latest lab purity | 99.90% (lot TRZ0003) | 99.68% (lot AOD0002) |
Want a third? Add another peptide. Doses are commonly reported ranges, not recommendations.
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Tirzepatide is FDA-approved and rated 5/5 for evidence; AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5. Tirzepatide has more human evidence behind it. AOD-9604 is banned in sport by WADA; Tirzepatide is not. Both are used for metabolic & weight goals.
Tirzepatide: FDA-approved (Mounjaro 2022, Zepbound 2023). AOD-9604: Not FDA-approved. Regulations change, so confirm with the FDA.
Tirzepatide is rated 5 out of 5: FDA-approved on the basis of large phase 3 programs (SURPASS for diabetes, SURMOUNT for obesity, SURMOUNT-OSA for sleep apnea). AOD-9604 is rated 3 out of 5: Human trials exist and showed it was well tolerated, but the largest (phase 2b, 536 people) missed its weight-loss endpoint. Positive findings are mostly from animals. The scale is explained on our methodology page.
Tirzepatide is not named on the WADA list, though the general rule on non-approved substances (S0) can still apply. AOD-9604 is banned by WADA, by name or as part of a named class.