Overview
Safety information for AOD-9604 depends on how extensively it has been studied in humans, how it is manufactured, and in what context it is used. Many catalog peptides have more preclinical than clinical safety data.
Common safety themes
For peptides in general, discussions of side effects often include:
- Local reactions at injection sites.
- Systemic symptoms such as headache, fatigue, or gastrointestinal upset.
- Uncertainties related to long-term exposure, interactions, and product quality.
Context and caveats
Absence of large, well-controlled human studies means that true risk profiles for many peptides remain incompletely defined. Regulatory status, manufacturing controls, and supervision by qualified clinicians are central to interpreting any safety conversation about AOD-9604.
Sport & Anti-Doping Warning
AOD-9604 has featured in high-profile anti-doping investigations, most notably the Essendon Football Club supplements saga in Australian rules football, where regulators clarified it was a non-approved substance prohibited at all times.
- >Essendon Football Club supplements saga (background)
- >Discussion of AOD-9604 and WADA's S0 (non-approved substances) category
For WADA-code athletes, AOD-9604 has been treated as prohibited under the S0 category, regardless of whether it is marketed as a 'research' or 'wellness' product.