Not medical advice. Talk to your provider before using any peptide.
Full disclaimerPeptide Schedule Research TeamReviewed Apr 20267 Citations
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is the only FDA-approved melanocortin agonist, proven to increase sun tolerance 6x in EPP patients. More MC1R-selective than Melanotan II, it delivers eumelanin-based tanning without the sexual side effects or appetite changes. Approved via subcutaneous implant (Scenesse).
500mcg · Daily
Summary: Add 2mL BAC water to your 10mg vial. Draw to 10.0 units on a U-100 syringe for a 500mcg dose. This vial will last 20 doses.
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| Level | Dose / Injection | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 500mcg | Daily |
| Moderate | 1mg | Daily |
| Aggressive | 1,500mcg | Daily |
Reconstitution math for the standard 10 mg vial: add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water. That gives you 5,000 mcg per mL, or 50 mcg per unit on a U-100 insulin syringe. So 100 mcg equals 2 units, 250 mcg equals 5 units, 500 mcg equals 10 units, and 1,000 mcg equals 20 units. MT-I is slower than MT-II. Expect 4 to 8 weeks to reach your desired pigmentation, compared to 2 to 3 weeks with MT-II. You need UV activation; the peptide stimulates melanin production, but melanin has to be activated by sunlight or a tanning bed to transfer to keratinocytes. Plan for 10 to 20 minutes of UV exposure after each injection during loading. If you get unexpected sexual side effects (spontaneous erections, flushing beyond the first few doses), test whether your vial contains MT-II instead. MT-I is 13 amino acids, MT-II is a 7-amino-acid ring structure. Contamination happens in the gray market. Start any new vendor's product at 100 mcg and assess before loading. Store reconstituted vials at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius; use within 3 to 4 weeks. Discard any solution that's cloudy or amber.
Dosing based on SCENESSE (afamelanotide) FDA Prescribing Information (2019) — 11 published references.View all sources →
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Pricing updated 2026-04-09
Prices are estimates and vary by source, location, and prescription status.Full pricing breakdown →
Disclaimer: This curve is a simplified first-order exponential decay model. Actual pharmacokinetics vary based on injection site, individual metabolism, body composition, and other factors. Half-life values are approximate and based on available preclinical and clinical literature. Many research peptides lack formal human pharmacokinetic studies. This is for educational purposes only — not medical advice.
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is the only FDA-approved melanocortin agonist, proven to increase sun tolerance 6x in EPP patients. More MC1R-selective than Melanotan II, it delivers eumelanin-based tanning without the sexual side effects or appetite changes. Approved via subcutaneous implant (Scenesse).