Melanotan I Guide

Melanotan I at a glance

What it is

Synthetic linear analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH); selective melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) agonist. Prescription form is afamelanotide (Scenesse).

Approved for

Afamelanotide (Scenesse) is FDA- and EMA-approved to reduce phototoxicity in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), delivered as a 16 mg implant.

Commonly reported range

Community-reported injectable use: ~0.25-1 mg subcutaneous per administration (examples, not a recommendation).

Route reported

Subcutaneous injection (research/community reports); the approved product is a subdermal implant.

Reported frequency

Reported daily during an initial period, then every 2-3 days for maintenance in community protocols.

Reported cycle

Community reports describe short loading periods (e.g., 5-10 days) followed by intermittent maintenance.

Plasma half-life

Short; roughly 0.5-1.5 hours after subcutaneous dosing (biological pigment effect outlasts plasma presence).

Regulatory status

Afamelanotide approved only for EPP; injectable/compounded 'Melanotan-1' for tanning is not FDA-approved and is research-only. Not clearly named on the WADA Prohibited List; athletes should verify current status.

Reported ranges from research/community — examples, not recommendations.

What it is / mechanism

Melanotan 1 is a synthetic linear 13-amino-acid analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) that binds and activates the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on melanocytes. Receptor activation raises intracellular cyclic AMP, which upregulates the enzyme tyrosinase and shifts melanin synthesis toward eumelanin, the darker pigment associated with tanning and UV shielding. Compared with the natural hormone it is more metabolically stable and more MC1R-selective, with comparatively limited activity at MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. Because pigment is deposited into keratinocytes over days, the biological effect substantially outlasts the peptide's short plasma presence. This mechanism is the basis for its study in UV-independent photoprotection.

Researched effects

Reported and studied effects center on increased skin pigmentation (eumelanin) and reduced phototoxic reactions; in erythropoietic protoporphyria trials the approved implant increased pain-free light exposure. Community reports for injectable use describe skin darkening that appears over roughly one to three weeks and can persist for weeks after dosing stops, plus commonly reported nausea and appetite changes. These are research findings and community-reported observations, not guaranteed outcomes, and individual responses vary widely.

Dosage — reported ranges (overview)

The figures below are examples of what is reported in early research and community protocols, not a recommendation and not a personal dose. Community reports commonly describe subcutaneous amounts of roughly 0.25-1 mg per administration, sometimes daily during an initial loading period and then every 2-3 days for maintenance. The FDA-approved product is entirely different: a 16 mg afamelanotide implant placed by a clinician every two months for EPP. Anyone considering melanocortin peptides should consult a qualified clinician; UV exposure decisions and any photoprotection strategy are medical matters.

The full step-by-step protocol examples, titration, and printable protocol sheet are planned for a future paid Protocol Playbook module.

Reconstitution — bac-water math

Reconstitution is only concentration math, not a personal dose. Add bacteriostatic water to the lyophilized vial and the concentration in mcg/mL equals total peptide (mcg) divided by the water volume (mL). On a U-100 insulin syringe, 100 units equals 1 mL, so units to draw = dose (mcg) divided by concentration (mcg/mL), times 100. Worked example: a representative 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 10,000 mcg divided by 2 mL = 5,000 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg example amount would then be 250 / 5,000 x 100 = 5 units on a U-100 syringe.

This is concentration math, not a dose recommendation.

Injection / administration basics

In community reports the peptide is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, and injections are described as subcutaneous into fatty tissue (for example the abdomen) using a fine insulin syringe, rotating sites. Any injection carries risks of infection, bruising, and injection-site reactions; sterile technique and appropriate sharps disposal are essential. This is general educational information, not a recommendation to inject; the FDA-approved product is a clinician-placed implant.

Half-life & frequency rationale

Reported plasma half-life after subcutaneous dosing is short, on the order of roughly 0.5 to 1.5 hours, with peak plasma levels within about one to two hours. Importantly, the pigment (eumelanin) response persists far longer than the peptide itself because melanin continues to be synthesized and deposited after receptor activation, which is why community maintenance schedules are spaced out despite the brief half-life.

Stacking — overview

Melanotan 1 is part of the melanocortin family, and community discussion sometimes groups it with other melanocortin-receptor peptides or with skin-focused peptides. These are descriptions of reported pairings for educational context, not endorsements or recommendations, and combining peptides increases uncertainty about safety and interactions.

Storage & handling

• Lyophilized: store the sealed vial refrigerated (2-8 C) and protected from light; many sources note it stays stable longer frozen and away from heat and moisture until reconstitution.
• Reconstituted: keep refrigerated (2-8 C), protect from light, do not freeze, and use within roughly 28 days per common handling guidance.

Guide FAQ

Quick answers about guide scope, access, and educational use context.