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Comparison

5-Amino-1MQ vs AOD-9604

Both are fat loss, so the meaningful differences are in kinetics, evidence and regulatory status.

On published evidence alone, AOD-9604 is the better documented of the two (clinical trials). That is a statement about the state of the literature, not a recommendation.

5-Amino-1MQ AOD-9604
Class Fat loss Fat loss
Evidence Animal models only Clinical trials
Human trials None published ~6
Half-life ~4-6 hours ~30 minutes
Reported range 50-150 mg 300-600 mcg
Frequency Once daily Once daily, fasted
Routes Oral Subcutaneous, Oral
FDA approved No No
Research use only Yes Yes
Banned in sport No Yes
Studied for Adipocyte metabolism research, NAD+ pathway research Fat loss research, Investigated for osteoarthritis
Reported side effects Insomnia, Nausea, Headache Injection-site reactions, Headache, Transient fatigue

5-Amino-1MQ

5-Amino-1MQ is a quinolinium small molecule that inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, an enzyme highly expressed in white adipose tissue. Inhibiting NNMT raises intracellular nicotinamide and NAD+ and has been reported to reduce adipocyte size and increase energy expenditure in rodent models. There is no published human trial data. It is listed here because it is sold and discussed as a peptide, which it is not.

AOD-9604

AOD-9604 is the hGH 177-191 fragment with an added N-terminal tyrosine for stability. In preclinical models it increased lipolysis and inhibited lipogenesis without affecting IGF-1 or glucose metabolism, which made it an attractive obesity candidate. The phase IIb trial in obese adults did not separate from placebo on weight loss, and development for that indication was discontinued. It is worth stating plainly because the compound is still marketed on the strength of the preclinical data.

5-Amino-1MQ vs AOD-9604: common questions

What is the difference between 5-Amino-1MQ and AOD-9604?

Both are fat loss. 5-Amino-1MQ: A small-molecule NNMT inhibitor studied for adipocyte metabolism. Not a peptide, despite how it is sold. AOD-9604: A modified growth hormone fragment developed specifically as an obesity drug, which failed to beat placebo in phase IIb.

Which has stronger evidence, 5-Amino-1MQ or AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 has the stronger evidence base (clinical trials, about 6 human studies) compared with 5-Amino-1MQ (animal models only).

Are 5-Amino-1MQ and AOD-9604 FDA approved?

Neither is FDA approved for any indication.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. FDA: Unapproved drugs and "research use only" products ↗ · regulatory status of non-approved products
  2. PubChem compound record (CID 71300630) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  3. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · current year
  4. CAS Registry Number 221231-10-3 ↗ · chemical identity

Published literature

  1. Yang M, Wang B, Hou W, et al.. NAD(+) metabolism enzyme NNMT in cancer-associated fibroblasts drives tumor progression and resistance to immunotherapy by modulating macrophages in urothelial bladder cancer.J Immunother Cancer 2024.PubMed 39067875 · doi:10.1136/jitc-2024-009281
  2. Dimet-Wiley A, Wu Q, Wiley JT, et al.. Reduced calorie diet combined with NNMT inhibition establishes a distinct microbiome in DIO mice.Sci Rep 2022.PubMed 35013352 · doi:10.1038/s41598-021-03670-5
  3. Akar S, Duran T, Azzawri AA, et al.. Small molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase shows anti-proliferative activity in HeLa cells.J Obstet Gynaecol 2021.PubMed 33645410 · doi:10.1080/01443615.2020.1854696
  4. Wilding J. AOD-9604 Metabolic.Curr Opin Investig Drugs 2004.PubMed 15134286
  5. Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2026.PubMed 41490200 · doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00236
  6. Mendias CL, Awan TM. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance.Sports Med 2026.PubMed 41966639 · doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0
  7. Halford JC. Obesity drugs in clinical development.Curr Opin Investig Drugs 2006.PubMed 16625817
  8. Thevis M, Schänzer W. Analytical approaches for the detection of emerging therapeutics and non-approved drugs in human doping controls.J Pharm Biomed Anal 2014.PubMed 24906629 · doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2014.05.020

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.

Read this first This page compares published reference data. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use either compound. Several compounds documented on this site are not approved for human use.