What is the half-life of Melanotan I?

Melanotan I has a half-life of ~30 minutes to 1 hour, which is why it's typically administered Once daily for 7-10 days, then maintenance 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

Phase 3

Melanotan I

Also known as: Afamelanotide, MT-1, CUV1647, Scenesse

Overview

Key Facts

Primary Goal: A synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) that stimulates melanogenesis, producing a natural-looking tan without UV exposure

A synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) that stimulates melanogenesis, producing a natural-looking tan without UV exposure. Afamelanotide is FDA-approved (as Scenesse) for the prevention of phototoxicity in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), making it one of the few peptides with regulatory approval in this space. Half-Life ~30 minutes to 1 hour Typical Dose 0.5–1 mg Frequency Once daily for 7-10 days, then maintenance every 2-3 days Cycle Length 10-14 day loading phase, then as needed

Dosing Information

Half-Life

~30 minutes to 1 hour

Typical Dose

0.5–1 mg

Frequency

Once daily for 7-10 days, then maintenance every 2-3 days

Cycle Length

10-14 day loading phase, then as needed

Administration Routes:

subcutaneous

Storage & Reconstitution

Unreconstituted (Powder)

Temperature2–8°C (36–46°F)

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

Phase 3

Developed at the University of Arizona and later by Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals, afamelanotide was approved by the EMA in 2014 and the FDA in 2019 (as Scenesse) for EPP. Phase III trials demonstrated significant increases in pain-free time outdoors and melanin density. Unlike Melanotan II, it shows high MC1R selectivity with minimal off-target effects. Research continues into its potential for vitiligo, polymorphous light eruption, and skin cancer prevention.