Lifestyle ⏱ Half-life: Approximately 30 minutes. FDA-Approved

Melanotan I

Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)

Updated March 15, 2026

Evidence at a Glance

Regulatory statusFDA-Approved
As afamelanotide (Scenesse); FDA-approved 2019 (EMA 2014) as a 16mg implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Injectable tanning use is off-label/unapproved.
Human evidenceExtensive
Animal evidenceExtensive

Melanotan I is the approved drug afamelanotide (Scenesse), backed by Phase 3 trials for the rare disease erythropoietic protoporphyria, but the peptide sold online for cosmetic tanning is an unapproved off-label use.

What the research does not support

  • Its FDA approval is for a specific implant in a rare photosensitivity disease, not for the injectable "tanning" peptide sold online.
  • It is not a sunscreen and does not protect against UV damage or skin cancer.
  • There is no evidence it makes cosmetic tanning safe; new or changing moles have been reported with melanocortin agonists.
  • It is not proven for weight loss or libido, which involve other melanocortin drugs.
Half-Life
Approximately 30 minutes.
Mol. Weight
1646.85 g/mol

What is Melanotan I?

Melanotan I is the selective, linear melanocortin receptor agonist that produces UV-protective melanin production with a cleaner side-effect profile than its cyclic counterpart Melanotan II.

Research Applications

Photoprotective melanogenesis, EPP treatment, UV damage prevention research, and MC1R receptor pharmacology.

Dosage Information (Research Use)

Research protocols: 0.5-1 mg subcutaneously daily during loading, then maintenance. UV exposure required for visible effect. Research use only.

Reconstitution & Handling

Standard BAC water reconstitution.

Half-Life & Pharmacokinetics

Approximately 30 minutes.

Reported Observations in Literature

Nausea (common initially), facial flushing. Significantly fewer off-target effects than Melanotan II. Mole monitoring recommended.

Key Research References

  • Dorr RT, et al. “Effects of Melanotan I on melanin synthesis.” Photochem Photobiol. 2004

How Melanotan I Works

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a linear analog of alpha-MSH with preferential activity at the MC1R receptor on melanocytes. Unlike the cyclic Melanotan II which activates MC1R-MC5R broadly, Melanotan I is more selective, producing tanning effects with significantly reduced appetite, libido, and other off-target effects.

Research Findings

Approved in Europe (Scenesse) for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). More selective and better-tolerated than Melanotan II. Produces gradual, natural-appearing pigmentation.

Dosage & Administration

Research protocols: 0.5-1 mg subcutaneously daily during loading, then maintenance. UV exposure required for visible effect. Research use only.

Safety & Side Effects

Nausea (common initially), facial flushing. Significantly fewer off-target effects than Melanotan II. Mole monitoring recommended.

Important: All safety information is derived from published research, primarily animal studies. No controlled human clinical trial data exists unless explicitly noted. This compound is sold for research purposes only.

Quick Facts

Sequence [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH (linear 13-amino acid)
Molecular Weight 1646.85 g/mol
Half-Life Approximately 30 minutes.
Available Sizes 10mg
Storage Lyophilized: -20°C. Reconstituted: 2-8°C.

Key Research References

  • Dorr RT, et al. "Effects of Melanotan I on melanin synthesis." Photochem Photobiol. 2004

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