Melanotan I vs Melanotan II
Independent, side-by-side comparison of Melanotan I and Melanotan II: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and live vendor pricing. Updated continuously as new research and listings land.
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Melanotan I
Melanotan II
Melanotan I
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a linear synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) with the substitution of norleucine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine at position 7. Unlike Melanotan II (which is…
Live lowest price: $19.00 across 2 vendors
Full Melanotan I profileMelanotan II
Melanotan-II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (╬▒-MSH) engineered in the late 1980s by researchers at the University of Arizona, most prominently Mac Hadley and…
Live lowest price: $34.99 across 5 vendors
Full Melanotan II profileSide-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Melanotan I | Melanotan II |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Other | Skin, Hair & Aesthetics |
| Research Stage | FDA Approved | Preclinical |
| Mechanism of Action | Melanotan I binds and activates melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on melanocytes with high selectivity. MC1R activation stimulates adenylyl cyclase and increases cAMP, activating protein kinase A (PKA) and ultimately upregulating tyrosinase — the rate-limiting… | Melanotan-II works by binding to and activating all four G-protein-coupled melanocortin receptors expressed in mammalian tissue (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R — MC2R responds only to ACTH), with particularly high affinity at MC1R, MC3R, and MC4R. Melanocortin… |
| Half-Life | ~25 hours (subcutaneous, afamelanotide data) | — |
| Typical Dose Range | 16000 | — |
| Dosing Frequency | every_1_to_4_weeks | — |
| Administration | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular | — |
| Side Effects | — | The side-effect profile of MT-II is dose-dependent and largely driven by pan-melanocortin receptor activation. Many users experience the acute side effects as more limiting than the tanning benefit. Very Common (50% of users): - Nausea — the single most common… |
| Molecular Weight | — | 1024.19 g/mol |
| Common Vial Sizes | 5, 10 | — |
Price tracking
Price History
3 data points- VANDL Labs
- Adera
- Ion Peptide
Melanotan I — potential benefits
- Increased melanin production and skin darkening (tanning) via MC1R activation
- FDA-approved photoprotection in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) as Scenesse implant
- Reduced UV-induced erythema in photosensitivity research models
- High MC1R selectivity relative to Melanotan II — substantially lower MC4R-mediated side effects
- Potential application in photoprotective research for UV-sensitive populations
Melanotan II — potential benefits
- Tanning without UV
- Appetite suppression
- Sexual arousal
- Photoprotection
- Fat loss
Frequently asked
What's the difference between Melanotan I and Melanotan II?
Melanotan I is a other that melanotan i binds and activates melanocortin-1 receptor (mc1r) on melanocytes with high selectivity. mc1r activation stimulates adenylyl cyclase and increases camp, activating…. Melanotan II is a skin, hair & aesthetics that melanotan-ii works by binding to and activating all four g-protein-coupled melanocortin receptors expressed in mammalian tissue (mc1r, mc3r, mc4r, mc5r — mc2r responds only to…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (~25 hours (subcutaneous, afamelanotide data) vs not reported), and typical dose range.
Which has the longer half-life, Melanotan I or Melanotan II?
Melanotan I has a half-life of ~25 hours (subcutaneous, afamelanotide data). Melanotan II has a half-life of not reported. Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.
Which is cheaper, Melanotan I or Melanotan II?
Current lowest live price on BodyHackGuide: Melanotan I from $19.00, Melanotan II from $34.99. Prices are pulled from the vendor listings tracked on BHG and change frequently — see the compare tables on each compound page for the current set of offers.
Can you stack Melanotan I and Melanotan II?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. Melanotan I and Melanotan II should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds.
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Research use only. BodyHackGuide is an independent research reference. The compounds discussed on this page are not approved by the FDA for human consumption and are sold strictly for laboratory research. Prices shown are pulled from vendor listings tracked on BHG and are subject to change. We earn an affiliate commission on some outbound clicks — this never affects the data or pricing shown. See editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.