What is the half-life of Melanotan I?

Melanotan I has a half-life of ~30-50 minutes, which is why it's typically administered once daily during loading, then every 2-3 days for optimal therapeutic effect.

How do I reconstitute Melanotan I?

Add bacteriostatic water to the peptide vial slowly down the side. Typical reconstitution uses 2-3ml of water for a 5mg vial. Gently swirl, do not shake.

Healing & Recovery

Approved

Melanotan I

Also known as: MT-1, MT-I, Afamelanotide, Scenesse, CUV1647, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH

Overview

Key Facts

Primary Goal: A linear synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) with substitutions at positions 4 (norleucine) and 7 (D-phenylalanine) that enhance potency and metabolic stability

A linear synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) with substitutions at positions 4 (norleucine) and 7 (D-phenylalanine) that enhance potency and metabolic stability. Primarily targets MC1R for photoprotective tanning, with milder but documented effects on sexual function through partial MC4R activity. Half-Life ~30-50 minutes Typical Dose 500–1000 mcg Frequency once daily during loading, then every 2-3 days Cycle Length The FDA-approved implant (Scenesse) lasts ~60 days; research protocols vary from 2-4 weeks

Dosing Information

Half-Life

~30-50 minutes

Typical Dose

500–1000 mcg

Frequency

once daily during loading, then every 2-3 days

Cycle Length

The FDA-approved implant (Scenesse) lasts ~60 days; research protocols vary from 2-4 weeks

Administration Routes:

subcutaneous

Storage & Reconstitution

Unreconstituted (Powder)

Temperature2–8°C (36–46°F) or -20°C (-4°F) for long-term

DurationUp to 3 months

Reconstituted (Mixed)

Temperature2–8°C (36–46°F)

Duration2-4 weeks

Note: Protect from light. Do not freeze reconstituted solution.

Research Summary

Approved

Afamelanotide (Melanotan I) was FDA-approved in October 2019 under the brand name Scenesse as a subcutaneous implant for the prevention of phototoxicity in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). It was previously approved in the EU in 2014. Clinical trials demonstrated significant increases in pain-free time in sunlight. Research has also explored its use in vitiligo, polymorphous light eruption, and actinic keratosis prevention. Its pro-sexual effects are milder than Melanotan II due to greater MC1R selectivity, but MC4R-mediated effects on libido have been documented.