Melanotan I

Afamelanotide (Melanotan I) is a synthetic α‑MSH analog that people mainly use for skin tanning and pigmentation, and also for sun‑protection/phototoxicity prevention, with FDA approval limited to erythropoietic protoporphyria. In community practice the typical dose is about 100 µg per day (though users report a range from 100 µg to 2 mg) without a set schedule, whereas clinical protocols for the approved indication employ a 16 mg implant. The main caveat is that the off‑label evidence base is much thinner than the discussion implies, with most exploratory uses lacking posted results.

Half-life~30 min

Data last updated

ClinicalResearchDepthClinicalResearchEfficacyClinicalResearchSideEffectsAnecdotalEfficacyAnecdotalSideEffectsPrice3.82.91.93.33.33.0

Research Evidence

Evidence shape

The evidence tier is high, grounded in six trials of erythropoietic protoporphyria that show an average reduction of about six days (the reported metric). Across fourteen indications, only one has posted results; the rest are thin, exploratory, or animal‑only, and the strongest data come from seven blinded studies sponsored by three different groups. Many completed trials lack posted findings, and most indications rest on single‑trial data, highlighting a gap between registered activity and published evidence.

Depthhow much
23 registered trials
18 completed · 12 with posted results · 1 recruiting / active · combined n=471
Breadthhow many areas
14 indications mapped
1 with results · 12 thin / exploratory · 1 animal-only · 9 single-trial long-tail
Qualityhow rigorous
Highest tier: Phase 3
7 blinded with results · 3 distinct sponsors · AE rows aggregated from 12 trials · 3 linked publications on registered trials
Breadth and depth39 rows captured
Human
direct clinical signal
24
Animal
translational support
12
In vitro
mechanistic support
3
HighMediumLow

Anecdotal efficacy

Melanotan I side effects

Clinical research side effects

Anecdotal side effects

Price

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Melanotan I dosing & protocol

How Melanotan I is dosed across research, clinician, and community sources — each evidence tier kept separate so the dose range, frequency, timing, and cycling stay visible without flattening different levels of evidence.

Research trials
Published clinical-trial protocols · n = 19
Typical dose
16 mg
typical
0
5 mg
10 mg
15 mg
20 mg
distribution of 12 reported doses · darker = more
Route
subQ

The peptide was given subcutaneously at a fixed dose of 16 mg per administration, with no reported variation in amount or schedule across the cited research trials.

19 sources
Clinician practice
Doctor & published-protocol guidance · n = 1
Typical dose
16 mg
typical
0
5 mg
10 mg
15 mg
20 mg
across 1 dosed source · darker = more agree
By reported cadence
Schedule unstated16 mg · n=1
Route
implant

Clinician practice, according to the Drugs.com AHFS professional monograph, uses a 16 mg implant dose (the only reported amount) for Melanotan I, with no specified frequency or cycling in the source.

1 source
Anecdotal
Community-reported real-world use · n = 5
Typical dose
100 µg100 µg – 2 mg
typical
0
5 mg
10 mg
15 mg
20 mg
distribution of 6 reported doses · darker = more
Frequency
unspecified
Route
subQ

Community reports for Melanotan I most often cite a 100 mcg subcutaneous dose, with a reported range of 100 mcg to 2 mg; frequency was not consistently documented, although one source described daily use.

5 sources

Regulatory safety notes

Warnings and precautions
  • • Hypersensitivity: Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, initiate appropriate therapy and remove the SCENESSE implant if needed. The patient should not receive any further…
  • • Skin Monitoring: May induce darkening of pre-existing nevi and ephelides due to its pharmacological effect. A full body skin examination (twice yearly) is recommended to monitor pre-existing nevi and new skin pigmentary lesions .
Contraindications
  • • CONTRAINDICATIONS SCENESSE is contraindicated in
  • • patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to afamelanotide or to any of the excipients in SCENESSE . Known hypersensitivity to afamelanotide or to any of the excipients in SCENESSE .

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