Melanotan I
Dosage Protocol
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) with high selectivity for the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Unlike Melanotan II, it does not activate MC3R or MC4R and therefore does not produce sexual arousal or appetite effects. It is FDA-approved as Scenesse® for the prevention of phototoxicity in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP).
What is Melanotan I?
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was developed at the University of Arizona as a stable, potent analog of α-MSH. The [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH modification dramatically extends its half-life and receptor affinity. By selectively activating MC1R on melanocytes, it stimulates eumelanin production — the brown/black photoprotective form of melanin — without the broad melanocortin receptor activation of Melanotan II.
Scenesse® (afamelanotide 16 mg implant) received EMA approval in 2014 and FDA approval in 2019 for EPP — a rare genetic condition causing severe phototoxic pain. Beyond this approved indication, Melanotan I is researched for photoprotection in polymorphous light eruption and as a skin-darkening agent. Its selectivity profile makes it significantly safer than Melanotan II for cosmetic melanogenesis research.
Dosing Schedule
Parameters documented in published preclinical and clinical research.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA-approved implant | 16 mg implant | Every 60 days | Per EPP protocol | Scenesse 16 mg biodegradable SubQ implant for EPP only. Physician-administered — not applicable to injection protocol. |
| Starting dose | 250 mcg | Daily SubQ | Days 1–5 | Start low to assess nausea and flushing response before escalating. |
| Research injection | 500 mcg–1 mg | Daily SubQ | 2–4 weeks | Advance to 500 mcg after tolerance is established. Injection protocol for melanogenesis research — not FDA-approved. |
| Maintenance | 500 mcg | Every other day | Ongoing | Lower-frequency maintenance after initial melanogenesis loading phase. |
| Off cycle | — | — | 8–12 weeks | Allow natural melanin fade between research cycles. |
Safety & Side Effects
Academic References
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[1]
Minder EI, et al. (2009). Afamelanotide, an agonistic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, in dermal phototoxicity of erythropoietic protoporphyria. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 18(12):1925–35. PubMed ↗
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[2]
Langendonk JG, et al. (2015). Afamelanotide for erythropoietic protoporphyria. N Engl J Med. 373(1):48–59. PubMed ↗
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[3]
Harms J, et al. (2009). An alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogue in erythropoietic protoporphyria. Br J Dermatol. 160(2):266–72. PubMed ↗
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[4]
Hadley ME, Dorr RT. (2006). Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. Peptides. 27(4):921–30. PubMed ↗