Peptides / Sexual health and hormones

Synthetic analog · 13 amino acids · 1,646.9 Da

Melanotan I (afamelanotide)

ApprovedNot banned in sport

Melanotan 1, also called afamelanotide, is a synthetic form of alpha-MSH approved in the US and EU only as the Scenesse implant for the skin condition EPP. It is not approved for tanning, and studies in people tested skin color and sun tolerance. PepBank shows 142 results on Melanotan 1 from 33 studies in people, and 524 from animal and lab studies. The strongest evidence is a randomized trial in people. Data as of 2026-10-30.

Also known as MT-1, MT-I, NDP-MSH, NDP-alpha-MSH, CUV-1647, CUV1647 and 8 more

13 amino acids, from first to lastSYSXEHFRWGKPV

Evidence level: Some studies in people142 of 667 results come from studies in people.

Results in people

142

21% of 667 results

Results in animals

262

39% of 667 results

Results in lab cells

262

39% of 667 results

From computer models

under 1% of 667 results

Overview

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) at a glance

What it is	Synthetic analog, 13 amino acids
Approval	Approved in the US and EU (Scenesse, 2014)
In sport	Not listed as banned by WADA
Studies	218 studies with results. 160 of them gave Melanotan 1, with 667 results. 142 in people262 in animals262 in lab cells1 from computer models
Best study in people	Randomized controlled trial with 168 people (2015)
Clinical trials	23 registered: 1 active or planned, 12 with posted results
Community use	Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP): approved use of the Scenesse implant, to increase pain free light exposure; Cosmetic tanning with powder sold online as Melanotan I, often with sun or sunbed exposure (not an approved use); Avoiding sunburn while tanning, as one user describes it

The science

What is Melanotan 1?

Linear 13-residue analog of alpha-MSH that activates melanocortin receptors. It is an approved medicine only as the Scenesse implant, for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP); it is not approved for tanning.

Amino acids in one chain

The history of Melanotan 1

1980
The oldest paper on Melanotan 1 in PepBank is from 1980.
2007May
A registered trial of Melanotan 1 started (NCT04053270).
2014December
EMA approved Scenesse for prevention of phototoxicity in adult patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP).
2019October
FDA approved Scenesse for increase pain free light exposure in adult patients with a history of phototoxic reactions from erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). 16 mg implant, subcutaneous; one implant about every 2 months.

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) structure and chemistry

The key facts about the molecule. Long codes are in the closed section below.

Sequence, 13 amino acidsFrom the first amino acid to the last

S1YSX−E5HF+RWG10+KPV

Darker means more water-repelling+ and − show charge in the bodyOutlined: changed amino acid

Structure

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of 13 amino acids, with no ring, 4 changed amino acids.

Formula

C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉

Molecular weight

1,646.9 g/mol

CAS number

75921-69-6

Targets

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor (melanocortin 1 receptor) (gene MC1R): agonistEvidence: approved-drug labelMelanocortin receptor 3 (gene MC3R): agonistEvidence: primary literatureMelanocortin receptor 4 (gene MC4R): agonistEvidence: primary literature

Development

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Clinuvel Europe Limited; Clinuvel, Inc.). Highest phase: past the trial stage (see status).

Identifiers

PubChem 16154396, ChEMBL CHEMBL441738, UNII QW68W3J66U, DrugBank DB04931, KEGG D10511, IUPHAR 1324, UniProt P01189, PDB 7F4F

Full sequence, SMILES and InChIKey

Three-letter sequence
Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2

InChIKey
UAHFGYDRQSXQEB-LEBBXHLNSA-N

SMILES
CCCC[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC1=CNC=N1)C(=O)N[C@H](CC2=CC=CC=C2)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC3=CNC4=CC=CC=C43)C(=O)NCC(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)N5CCC[C@H]5C(=O)N[C@@H](C(C)C)C(=O)N)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H](CC6=CC=C(C=C6)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)C

See charge, composition and 3D structure on the Scientific page

The evidence

What Melanotan 1 studies show

Results grouped by what the studies measured. Each card shows where its results come from.

Some studies in people142 of 667 results come from studies in people.

Skin, hair and wounds

81 results · 60 in people · 3 animal · 18 lab

Adding MT-1 to sun exposure gave stronger tanning of the back than sunlight alone. Archives of dermatology, 2004

Top results

Adding MT-1 to sun exposure gave stronger tanning of the back than sunlight alone. (Archives of dermatology, 2004)
In Caucasian adults, MELANOTAN raised skin melanin more than placebo. (Peptides, 2006)
In US patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, afamelanotide gave more pain-free time in the sun than placebo. (The New England journal of medicine, 2015)

Daily life and fitness

20 results · 19 in people · 1 animal

In patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, quality of life improved with afamelanotide in both trials. The New England journal of medicine, 2015

Top results

In patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, quality of life improved with afamelanotide in both trials. (The New England journal of medicine, 2015)
In adults with EPP, the employment rate was higher on afamelanotide, but the change was not statistically significant. (The Journal of dermatology, 2023)
In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, time spent outside rose by 6.1 hours per week compared with before afamelanotide. (JAMA dermatology, 2020)

Metabolism and nutrition

10 results · 7 in people · 3 animal

In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, protoporphyrin levels were lower during afamelanotide treatment than before it. Therapeutic advances in rare disease, 2021

Top results

In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, protoporphyrin levels were lower during afamelanotide treatment than before it. (Therapeutic advances in rare disease, 2021)
In rats, NDP-MSH injected into a brain area gave a higher core temperature than saline. (Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 1993)
In people with protoporphyria, afamelanotide did not lower red blood cell protoporphyrin. (Life, 2024)

Pain

7 results · 5 in people · 2 animal

In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, reactions to light were less painful during afamelanotide treatment. JAMA dermatology, 2020

Top results

In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, reactions to light were less painful during afamelanotide treatment. (JAMA dermatology, 2020)
In rats, a small dose of NDP-MSH weakened the pain-blocking effect of morphine. (Brain research, 2007)
In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, the pain of the worst light reaction fell from 10 to 6 on a 0 to 10 scale with afamelanotide. (Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 2020)

Liver

5 results · 5 in people

In people with EPP, PPIX levels were higher the longer ago the last afamelanotide implant was given. Life, 2023

Top results

In people with EPP, PPIX levels were higher the longer ago the last afamelanotide implant was given. (Life, 2023)
In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, a liver blood test (aspartate aminotransferase) was lower during afamelanotide treatment than before it. (Therapeutic advances in rare disease, 2021)
In people with protoporphyria, afamelanotide did not improve liver blood tests. (Life, 2024)

Immune system and inflammation

79 results · 3 in people · 54 animal · 22 lab

In patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria treated with afamelanotide for up to 6 years, most showed no antibody reaction to the drug. Skin pharmacology and physiology, 2015

Top results

In patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria treated with afamelanotide for up to 6 years, most showed no antibody reaction to the drug. (Skin pharmacology and physiology, 2015)
In monkeys, NDP-MSH lowered the TNF-alpha inflammation response to endotoxin compared with saline. (Endocrinology, 2006)
In rats with a heart attack model, NDP-alpha-MSH lowered TNF-alpha in the heart more than saline. (European journal of pharmacology, 2010)

All 218 Melanotan 1 studies by area Open the Scientific page

Key Melanotan 1 studies

Studies in people come first, then studies in animals and in the lab.

People
Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
Langendonk et al. 2015 · The New England journal of medicine · 168 people · cited by 203
6 results
People
Effect of MELANOTAN, [Nle(4), D-Phe(7)]-alpha-MSH, on melanin synthesis in humans with MC1R variant alleles
Fitzgerald et al. 2006 · Peptides · 77 people · cited by 24
2 results
People
Afamelanotide and narrowband UV-B phototherapy for the treatment of vitiligo: a randomized multicenter trial
Lim et al. 2015 · JAMA dermatology · 55 people · cited by 114
10 results
People
Effects of a superpotent melanotropic peptide in combination with solar UV radiation on tanning of the skin in human volunteers
Dorr et al. 2004 · Archives of dermatology · 12 people · cited by 35
9 results
People
Skin pigmentation and pharmacokinetics of melanotan-I in humans
Ugwu et al. 1997 · Biopharmaceutics & drug disposition · 3 people · cited by 28
10 results

All 218 Melanotan I (afamelanotide) studies

Melanotan 1 clinical trials

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 23 trials of Melanotan 1. 1 is active or planned, and 12 have posted results. PepBank does not show trial results.

Solid bars are dates that happened. Hatched bars are planned dates. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Multicentre Phase III Erythropoietic Protoporphyria Study

Phase 3completed100 people

Phase III Confirmatory Study in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria

Phase 3completed93 people

Phase III Confirmatory Study in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)

Phase 3completed74 people

All 13 Melanotan I (afamelanotide) trials

Status and safety

Is Melanotan 1 approved?

FDA

United States

Approved

Scenesse, since 2019.

EMA

European Union

Approved

Scenesse, since 2014.

WADA

Sport

Not banned

Not on the 2026 Prohibited List.

Yes. Approved in the US and EU (Scenesse, 2014). The EMA label for Scenesse says: “Prevention of phototoxicity in adult patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)” Not listed as banned by WADA.

Laws and labels change, so check the regulator for the current status.

Melanotan 1 side effects and safety

PepBank has 36 safety results from studies of Melanotan 1. 29 of them come from studies in people.

Safety results from studies (36)

In patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, side effects of afamelanotide were mostly mild. (The New England journal of medicine, 2015)
Redness of the skin occurred in both groups, with and without afamelanotide. (JAMA dermatology, 2015)
In three men, melanotan I caused minimal side effects, including occasional stomach upset. (Biopharmaceutics & drug disposition, 1997)
In patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria treated with afamelanotide for up to 6 years, most showed no antibody reaction to the drug. (Skin pharmacology and physiology, 2015)
In people with EPP given afamelanotide, no nevus changes suggestive of cancer were seen. (Photochemical & photobiological sciences, 2021)
In 6 stroke patients given afamelanotide, one died of a new stroke on day 9. The study judged this unrelated to the drug. (BMC neurology, 2023)
In three people with acne, afamelanotide caused no side effects except mild, short-lived tiredness in one person. (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2014)
In three small studies, MT-1 with UV-B light or sunlight caused no pathologic findings at the exposed skin sites. (Archives of dermatology, 2004)
In German adults with EPP, real-world safety of afamelanotide matched what clinical trials found. (Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine, 2025)
In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, nearly all (98%) kept using afamelanotide during about 2 years of follow-up. (JAMA dermatology, 2020)
In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, afamelanotide caused only minor side effects. (The British journal of dermatology, 2015)
In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, no serious side effects linked to afamelanotide were seen over 240 treatment years. (Therapeutic advances in rare disease, 2021)
In patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, patients treated with afamelanotide showed no more antibody blocking of the drug than untreated patients. (Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, 2013)
In Austrian adults with EPP, side effects of afamelanotide were mild and short-lived. (Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology, 2026)
In patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, serious side effects were not thought to be caused by afamelanotide. (The New England journal of medicine, 2015)
Minor infections were reported in the group that received afamelanotide with light therapy. (JAMA dermatology, 2015)
Nausea was reported in the group that received afamelanotide with light therapy. (JAMA dermatology, 2015)
In three men, melanotan I caused minimal side effects, including facial flushing. (Biopharmaceutics & drug disposition, 1997)
In people with EPP given afamelanotide, no new nevi were recorded. (Photochemical & photobiological sciences, 2021)
In 6 stroke patients given afamelanotide, no other local or major body-wide side effects were recorded. (BMC neurology, 2023)
In three people with acne, afamelanotide caused no clinically relevant changes in blood, urine, liver or kidney tests. (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2014)
In three patients who already had antibodies before treatment, antibody levels did not change during afamelanotide treatment. (Skin pharmacology and physiology, 2015)
In three small studies, MT-1 caused minor effects that included nausea. (Archives of dermatology, 2004)
In three small studies, MT-1 caused minor effects that included short-lived facial flushing. (Archives of dermatology, 2004)

See every safety result on the Scientific page

Doses studied (40 shown)

The doses that these studies used. They are not recommendations.

Dose as reported	Class	Species	Route	Duration	Design	Source
16 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous implant	6 months	Randomized trial in people · n = 94	Langendonk 2015
16 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	4 months	Randomized trial in people · n = 55	Lim 2015
0.16 mg/kg	Human	human	Not reported	4 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 8	Dorr 2004
0.08 mg/kg per day	Human	human	subcutaneous	10 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 4	Dorr 2004
0.08 to 0.21 mg/kg	Human	human	subcutaneous	5 consecutive days for 2 weeks (ten doses)	Randomized trial in people · n = 3	Ugwu 1997
0.16 mg/kg	Human	human	oral	5 consecutive days for 2 weeks (ten doses)	Randomized trial in people · n = 3	Ugwu 1997
0.16 mg/kg IV; 0.08 to 0.21 mg/kg SC	Human	human	intravenous or subcutaneous	5 consecutive days for 2 weeks (ten doses)	Randomized trial in people · n = 3	Ugwu 1997
0.16 mg/kg per day	Human	human	Not reported	10 days	Trial in people without random groups · n = 12	Dorr 2004
16 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous implant	6 days	Trial in people without random groups · n = 9	Griffin 2026
0.16 mg/kg/day	Human	human	subcutaneous	two weeks	Trial in people without random groups · n = 7	Dorr 2000
16 mg implant	Human	human	subcutaneous	2 to 4 implants, D0 to D8	Trial in people without random groups · n = 6	Stanislaus 2023
16 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	single implant	Trial in people without random groups · n = 5	Haylett 2011
20 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous sustained-release implant	two implants, 60-day interval	Trial in people without random groups · n = 5	Harms 2009
16 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous implant	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups · n = 3	Böhm 2014
16 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous implant	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups · n = 2	Biolcati 2014
16 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous implant	up to 8 years	Observational study · n = 115	Biolcati 2015
5 pM in 0.5 microliters	Animal	rat	injection into the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 13	Raible 1993
0.1 nmol	Animal	rat	cannula injection into hypothalamic nuclei	Not reported	Study in live animals	Kim 2000
0.27 mg/kg every 12 h	Animal	rat	subcutaneous	Not reported	Study in live animals	Bazzani 2001
0.04 ng/rat	Animal	rat	intracerebroventricular	Not reported	Study in live animals	Kalange 2007
0.2 micromol/kg	Animal	mouse	intraperitoneal	Not reported	Study in live animals	Martin 2004
340 microg/kg/day	Animal	rat	intraperitoneal	11 days	Study in live animals	Giuliani 2007
340 µg/kg every 12 h	Animal	Mongolian gerbil	intraperitoneal	11 days	Study in live animals	Giuliani 2006
10 micro g	Animal	pig	intracerebroventricular	Not reported	Study in live animals	Barb 2004
10 ng	Animal	rat	intrathecal	Not reported	Study in live animals	Gatti 2012
100 μg	Animal	rat	intravenous	Not reported	Study in live animals	Gatti 2012
1.25 mg/kg daily	Animal	mouse	intraperitoneal	180 days	Study in live animals	Botte 2014
up to 1000 nmol/kg	Animal	rat	intravenous	Not reported	Study in live animals	Van 1997
up to 2 mg/kg daily or weekly	Animal	mouse	topical (in 90% DMSO) or intraperitoneal (in saline)	4 or 12 weeks	Study in live animals	Dorr 1988
up to 2 mg/kg weekly	Animal	mouse	topical (in 90% DMSO) or intraperitoneal (in saline)	12 weeks	Study in live animals	Dorr 1988
750microg/kg	Animal	rat	intravenous	single injection, sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 3 or 5 h	Study in live animals	Catania 2010
0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 or 50 pM in 0.5 microliters	Animal	rat	injection into the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area	60 min recording	Study in live animals	Raible 1993
0.5 to 50 pM in 0.5 microliters	Animal	rat	injection into the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area	60 min recording	Study in live animals	Raible 1993
400 µg/kg	Animal	mouse	systemic	day 1 to day 12	Study in live animals	Srivastava 2023
100 microg every 12h	Animal	rat	intraperitoneal	Not reported	Study in live animals	Colombo 2008
3 micrograms/g/day	Animal	rat	Not reported	2 weeks	Study in live animals	Mauri 1995
4 mg	Animal	guinea pig	subcutaneous implant	Not reported	Study in live animals	Bhardwaj 2000
10 nm	Lab	rat	Not reported	Not reported	Study on tissue taken from a body	Dhillo 2002
10 and 100 nm	Lab	rat	Not reported	Not reported	Study on tissue taken from a body	Dhillo 2002
10^-6 M	Lab	spotted scat (Scatophagus argus)	Not reported	3 h	Study on tissue taken from a body	Jiang 2017

From the community

How people use it

What people report online. It comes from forums and guides, not from studies.

Community-reported. Not tested in trials.

The approved form is the 16 mg Scenesse implant for EPP, given about every 2 months. People who use powder sold online as Melanotan I for tanning report daily injections of roughly 0.25 to 1 mg for 1 to 2 weeks, then often 1 or 2 doses a week (some report every other day or once every few weeks), usually with sun or sunbed exposure.

Reported routines and cautions

What people use it for

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP): approved use of the Scenesse implant, to increase pain free light exposureS1 S2
Cosmetic tanning with powder sold online as Melanotan I, often with sun or sunbed exposure (not an approved use)S3 S4 S5 S6S7
Avoiding sunburn while tanning, as one user describes itS4

Reported regimens

Regimens that community sources report for Melanotan I (afamelanotide). Community-reported, not tested in trials.
Context	Route	Amount	How often	How long	Agreement	Sources
Approved use: erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), US labelOfficial label dosing of an approved product	subcutaneous implantInserted above the anterior supra-iliac crest by a trained health care professional.	16 mg per implant	one implant every 2 months	Not stated	label	S1
Approved use: erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), EU public summaryOfficial label dosing of an approved product	subcutaneous implantGiven under the skin by a properly trained doctor.	1 implant per dose	once every 2 months, before and during periods of high sunlight exposure	Not stated	label	S2 S11
Cosmetic tanning with unapproved powder, loading phase	subcutaneous injectionReconstituted powder, not the implant. Reports pair it with sun or sunbed exposure.	0.25 to 1 mg per dose	once daily	about 1 to 2 weeks	sources differ in amount (0.25 to 1 mg) but agree on daily dosing for 1 to 2 weeks. S3 is a forum with several users, S6 is an editorial page, and S7 is a wiki that carries supplier rankings; the pages may copy each other. S3 is on a forum that has a vendor marketplace section; the thread pages show no seller links and the thread rules ban source talk. Most forum reports about melanotans are about Melanotan II (see cautions).	S3 S6S7
Cosmetic tanning with unapproved powder, maintenance after loading	subcutaneous injection	0.25 to 2 mg per dose	from every other day to once every few weeks; most reports say 1 to 2 times a week	as needed (no fixed length reported)	sources differ: amounts run from 0.25 to 2 mg and frequency from every other day to every few weeks. S3 and S5 are user posts on one forum; S6 and S7 are pages that may copy each other, and S7 carries supplier rankings.	S3 S5 S6S7

Reported side effects

nausea (brief, around injection; in the EPP trials on the label it was the second most common effect after implant site reaction, 19% vs 14% on vehicle)S1 S3 S4
facial flushing in the first week or after injectionS3
implant site reaction (label, EPP trials)S1
darkening of existing moles and freckles; new freckles or brown spotsS1 S4
serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis (reported after marketing of the implant)S1

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

tan without burning, as users describe itS4

Cautions

The FDA label says the implant can darken pre-existing nevi and freckles and recommends a full body skin examination twice a year.S1
Melanotan I is not approved for tanning. The vials sold online as Melanotan I are not the approved implant. One guide page says nobody has tested the vials for tanning.S8S10
Products sold online are unregulated, so the real dose and purity are unknown. The two news pieces are about melanotans in general, mostly Melanotan II, not only Melanotan I.S8 S9
Most forum reports about melanotans are about Melanotan II, a different peptide. Dose figures from threads may not apply to Melanotan I.S10

Status notes

FDA: approved 2019-10-08 as Scenesse (NDA210797) for adults with EPP only. It is not approved for tanning.S1 S8
EMA: Scenesse has been authorised in the EU since 2014-12-22, under exceptional circumstances, for adults with EPP.S2
WADA: not named on the 2026 Prohibited List or the 2027 List. Because it is an approved drug, class S0 does not apply by its wording. This is a reading of the list text, not a WADA statement.S12

Community sources

S1SCENESSE (afamelanotide) implant, FDA label (Clinuvel Inc.) (opens in a new tab)dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
S2Scenesse: EPAR (European Medicines Agency) (opens in a new tab)ema.europa.eu
S3Melanotan I (forum thread, started 2026-04-23) (opens in a new tab)glp1forum.com
S44 Days of Melanotan-I research...very happy (forum thread) (opens in a new tab)glp1forum.com
S5MT-1 update, I am way too tan! (forum thread) (opens in a new tab)glp1forum.com
S6Melanotan I: Dosage, Half-Life & Reconstitution (Jacked Forums peptide page) (opens in a new tab)jackedforums.com
S7Melanotan-1: Community Protocols & Anecdotal Reportspeptideprotocolwiki.comcarries seller links, not linked
S8Men are injecting unregulated 'Barbie peptides' for a quicker, darker tan (news, repost of a New York Post report) (opens in a new tab)seemayo.com
S9Influencers Are Peddling Peptides, but Is Tanmaxxing Worth the Risk? (KQED, 2026-10-07) (opens in a new tab)kqed.org
S10Melanotan I: 6 human studies, dosing and legal statusthelongevityarchive.comcarries seller links, not linked
S11EMA approves year-round SCENESSE treatment (Clinuvel news, 2025-09-23) (opens in a new tab)clinuvel.com
S12WADA Prohibited List 2026 (opens in a new tab)wada-ama.org

Gaps

No forum thread with a checkable page was found on Elite Fitness, Longecity, ThinkSteroids or Meso-Rx for Melanotan I. Pages on eroids.com and looksmax.gg gave Melanotan I amounts but return HTTP 403 to the quote checker, so their quotes could not be verified and they are not used. Reddit is not used. Almost all community dose talk about melanotans is about Melanotan II (S10 says so), and the Melanotan I reports found here come mostly from one forum (S3, S4, S5) plus two summary pages (S6, S7). No nasal route amounts were found in a checkable source. The EPAR page (R2) may be out of date on the yearly maximum. The EMA SmPC (PDF) says 'One implant is administered every 2 months prior to expected and during increased sunlight exposure', but the quote checker cannot read PDFs, so it is not quoted. The thelongevityarchive.com page (S10) carries seller price lists and an affiliate disclosure, so it is flagged affiliate and supports only cautions that S8 or S9 also support.

Questions and more

Ask a question about Melanotan 1

The answer links to every study it uses.

What does the evidence say about Melanotan 1?Is Melanotan 1 tested in people?Compare with Oxytocin Compare with Melanotan II

Sources

Database: PepBank data for Melanotan 1 (data version 308560)
Regulator: FDA status record
Regulator: EMA status record
Regulator: WADA status record
Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov
Community: community sources (forums and guides), as summarized in the PepBank community file

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.

Ask your AI about Melanotan 1

Melanotan I (afamelanotide)

ApprovedNot banned in sport

Also known as MT-1, MT-I, NDP-MSH, NDP-alpha-MSH, CUV-1647, CUV1647 and 8 more

What it is

Synthetic analog, 13 amino acids

Approval

Approved in the US and EU (Scenesse, 2014)

In sport

Not listed as banned by WADA

Studies

218 studies with results. 160 of them gave Melanotan 1, with 667 results.
142 in people262 in animals262 in lab cells1 from computer models

Best study in people

Randomized controlled trial with 168 people (2015)

Clinical trials

23 registered: 1 active or planned, 12 with posted results

Community use

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP): approved use of the Scenesse implant, to increase pain free light exposure; Cosmetic tanning with powder sold online as Melanotan I, often with sun or sunbed exposure (not an approved use); Avoiding sunburn while tanning, as one user describes it

Dose as reported

Class

Species

Route

Duration

Design

Source

16 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous implant

6 months

Randomized trial in people · n = 94

Langendonk 2015

16 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

4 months

Randomized trial in people · n = 55

Lim 2015

0.16 mg/kg

Human

human

Not reported

4 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 8

Dorr 2004

0.08 mg/kg per day

Human

human

subcutaneous

10 days

Randomized trial in people · n = 4

Dorr 2004

0.08 to 0.21 mg/kg

Human

human

subcutaneous

5 consecutive days for 2 weeks (ten doses)

Randomized trial in people · n = 3

Ugwu 1997

0.16 mg/kg

Human

human

oral

5 consecutive days for 2 weeks (ten doses)

Randomized trial in people · n = 3

Ugwu 1997

0.16 mg/kg IV; 0.08 to 0.21 mg/kg SC

Human

human

intravenous or subcutaneous

5 consecutive days for 2 weeks (ten doses)

Randomized trial in people · n = 3

Ugwu 1997

0.16 mg/kg per day

Human

human

Not reported

10 days

Trial in people without random groups · n = 12

Dorr 2004

16 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous implant

6 days

Trial in people without random groups · n = 9

Griffin 2026

0.16 mg/kg/day

Human

human

subcutaneous

two weeks

Trial in people without random groups · n = 7

Dorr 2000

16 mg implant

Human

human

subcutaneous

2 to 4 implants, D0 to D8

Trial in people without random groups · n = 6

Stanislaus 2023

16 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

single implant

Trial in people without random groups · n = 5

Haylett 2011

20 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous sustained-release implant

two implants, 60-day interval

Trial in people without random groups · n = 5

Harms 2009

16 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous implant

Not reported

Trial in people without random groups · n = 3

Böhm 2014

16 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous implant

Not reported

Trial in people without random groups · n = 2

Biolcati 2014

16 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous implant

up to 8 years

Observational study · n = 115

Biolcati 2015

5 pM in 0.5 microliters

Animal

rat

injection into the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area

Not reported

Study in live animals · n = 13

Raible 1993

0.1 nmol

Animal

rat

cannula injection into hypothalamic nuclei

Not reported

Study in live animals

Kim 2000

0.27 mg/kg every 12 h

Animal

rat

subcutaneous

Not reported

Study in live animals

Bazzani 2001

0.04 ng/rat

Animal

rat

intracerebroventricular

Not reported

Study in live animals

Kalange 2007

0.2 micromol/kg

Animal

mouse

intraperitoneal

Not reported

Study in live animals

Martin 2004

340 microg/kg/day

Animal

rat

intraperitoneal

11 days

Study in live animals

Giuliani 2007

340 µg/kg every 12 h

Animal

Mongolian gerbil

intraperitoneal

11 days

Study in live animals

Giuliani 2006

10 micro g

Animal

pig

intracerebroventricular

Not reported

Study in live animals

Barb 2004

10 ng

Animal

rat

intrathecal

Not reported

Study in live animals

Gatti 2012

100 μg

Animal

rat

intravenous

Not reported

Study in live animals

Gatti 2012

1.25 mg/kg daily

Animal

mouse

intraperitoneal

180 days

Study in live animals

Botte 2014

up to 1000 nmol/kg

Animal

rat

intravenous

Not reported

Study in live animals

Van 1997

up to 2 mg/kg daily or weekly

Animal

mouse

topical (in 90% DMSO) or intraperitoneal (in saline)

4 or 12 weeks

Study in live animals

Dorr 1988

up to 2 mg/kg weekly

Animal

mouse

topical (in 90% DMSO) or intraperitoneal (in saline)

12 weeks

Study in live animals

Dorr 1988

750microg/kg

Animal

rat

intravenous

single injection, sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 3 or 5 h

Study in live animals

Catania 2010

0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 or 50 pM in 0.5 microliters

Animal

rat

injection into the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area

60 min recording

Study in live animals

Raible 1993

0.5 to 50 pM in 0.5 microliters

Animal

rat

injection into the anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area

60 min recording

Study in live animals

Raible 1993

400 µg/kg

Animal

mouse

systemic

day 1 to day 12

Study in live animals

Srivastava 2023

100 microg every 12h

Animal

rat

intraperitoneal

Not reported

Study in live animals

Colombo 2008

3 micrograms/g/day

Animal

rat

Not reported

2 weeks

Study in live animals

Mauri 1995

4 mg

Animal

guinea pig

subcutaneous implant

Not reported

Study in live animals

Bhardwaj 2000

10 nm

Lab

rat

Not reported

Study on tissue taken from a body

Dhillo 2002

10 and 100 nm

Lab

rat

Not reported

Study on tissue taken from a body

Dhillo 2002

10^-6 M

Lab

spotted scat (Scatophagus argus)

Not reported

3 h

Study on tissue taken from a body

Jiang 2017

Context

Route

Amount

How often

How long

Agreement

Sources

Approved use: erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), US labelOfficial label dosing of an approved product

subcutaneous implantInserted above the anterior supra-iliac crest by a trained health care professional.

16 mg per implant

one implant every 2 months

Not stated

label

Approved use: erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), EU public summaryOfficial label dosing of an approved product

subcutaneous implantGiven under the skin by a properly trained doctor.

1 implant per dose

once every 2 months, before and during periods of high sunlight exposure

Not stated

label

S2 S11

Cosmetic tanning with unapproved powder, loading phase

subcutaneous injectionReconstituted powder, not the implant. Reports pair it with sun or sunbed exposure.

0.25 to 1 mg per dose

once daily

about 1 to 2 weeks

sources differ in amount (0.25 to 1 mg) but agree on daily dosing for 1 to 2 weeks. S3 is a forum with several users, S6 is an editorial page, and S7 is a wiki that carries supplier rankings; the pages may copy each other. S3 is on a forum that has a vendor marketplace section; the thread pages show no seller links and the thread rules ban source talk. Most forum reports about melanotans are about Melanotan II (see cautions).

S3 S6S7

Cosmetic tanning with unapproved powder, maintenance after loading

subcutaneous injection

0.25 to 2 mg per dose

from every other day to once every few weeks; most reports say 1 to 2 times a week

as needed (no fixed length reported)

sources differ: amounts run from 0.25 to 2 mg and frequency from every other day to every few weeks. S3 and S5 are user posts on one forum; S6 and S7 are pages that may copy each other, and S7 carries supplier rankings.

S3 S5 S6S7

Melanotan I (afamelanotide)

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) at a glance

What is Melanotan 1?

The history of Melanotan 1

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) structure and chemistry

What Melanotan 1 studies show

Skin, hair and wounds

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Immune system and inflammation

Key Melanotan 1 studies

Melanotan 1 clinical trials

Is Melanotan 1 approved?

Melanotan 1 side effects and safety

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Melanotan I (afamelanotide)

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) at a glance

What is Melanotan 1?

The history of Melanotan 1

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) structure and chemistry

What Melanotan 1 studies show

Skin, hair and wounds

Daily life and fitness

Metabolism and nutrition

Pain

Liver

Immune system and inflammation

Key Melanotan 1 studies

Melanotan 1 clinical trials

Is Melanotan 1 approved?

Melanotan 1 side effects and safety

How people use it

What people use it for

Reported regimens

Reported side effects

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

Cautions

Status notes

Community sources

Ask a question about Melanotan 1

Related peptides

Sources