--- title: "Melanotan I vs Melanotan II: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)" description: "Compare Melanotan I vs Melanotan II — mechanism, half-life, dose range, side effects, and live vendor pricing. Melanotan I from $19.00. Melanotan II from" lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Compare", "item": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compare" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Melanotan I vs Melanotan II" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebPage", "name": "Melanotan I vs Melanotan II: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)", "description": "Compare Melanotan I vs Melanotan II — mechanism, half-life, dose range, side effects, and live vendor pricing. Melanotan I from $19.00. Melanotan II from $34.99. 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BodyHackGuide and BHG Labs share common ownership, and we earn a commission on purchases through our links.", "foundingDate": "2024", "founder": { "@id": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/about#person" }, "sameAs": [ "https://x.com/bodyhackguide", "https://reddit.com/r/BodyHackGuide", "https://reddit.com/r/BrainHackGuide", "https://reddit.com/r/Biohackingher", "https://discord.gg/Mhq5UdRYBA" ], "knowsAbout": [ "Peptide research", "Nootropic research", "Biohacking", "Compound dosing", "Vendor transparency" ], "publishingPrinciples": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/editorial-standards", "ethicsPolicy": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/editorial-standards", "diversityPolicy": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/editorial-standards" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the difference between Melanotan I and Melanotan II?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Melanotan I is a other that melanotan i is afamelanotide, i.e. [nle4, d-phe7]-alpha-msh ('ndp-alpha-msh'), a synthetic 13-amino-acid analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. the nle4 and d-phe7…. 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 (Controlled-release subcutaneous implant (Scenesse): high inter-subject variability; median Tmax ~36 h, mean Cmax ~3.7 ng/mL, apparent terminal half-life ~15 h, with plasma levels measurable to ~96 h post-dose (FDA pharmacokinetics, n=12). Injected/bolus free peptide: peak plasma at ~1-2 h with an elimination half-life of ~30 minutes; the Nle4/D-Phe7 modifications prolong biological (melanogenic) activity well beyond plasma clearance. vs Approximately 30-60 minutes (subcutaneous; limited published human pharmacokinetic data). Peak plasma levels occur ~1-2 hours after injection, and subjective effects typically persist 4-8 hours.), and typical dose range." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which has the longer half-life, Melanotan I or Melanotan II?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Melanotan I has a half-life of Controlled-release subcutaneous implant (Scenesse): high inter-subject variability; median Tmax ~36 h, mean Cmax ~3.7 ng/mL, apparent terminal half-life ~15 h, with plasma levels measurable to ~96 h post-dose (FDA pharmacokinetics, n=12). Injected/bolus free peptide: peak plasma at ~1-2 h with an elimination half-life of ~30 minutes; the Nle4/D-Phe7 modifications prolong biological (melanogenic) activity well beyond plasma clearance.. Melanotan II has a half-life of Approximately 30-60 minutes (subcutaneous; limited published human pharmacokinetic data). Peak plasma levels occur ~1-2 hours after injection, and subjective effects typically persist 4-8 hours.. Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which is cheaper, Melanotan I or Melanotan II?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you stack Melanotan I and Melanotan II?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } } ] } ] --- [Skip to content](#main-content) ## Research Use Only This site is an **educational resource** for research compounds. We do **not endorse** human consumption of any compound. BodyHackGuide and **BHG Labs share common ownership**; we rank every vendor on the same public methodology, and we earn a commission on purchases through our links. By entering, you confirm you are **21 years of age or older** and agree to our [Terms](/terms) & [Privacy Policy](/privacy). I'm 21+ — Enter SiteLeave site [![BodyHackGuide](/assets/bodyhackguide-logo-DOzZNUyh.webp)BodyHackGuide ](/) [Compare](/compare)[Wiki](/wiki)[Vendors](/vendors)[Deals](/deals)[Stacks](/stack-builder)[Nootropics](/nootropics)[Tools](/tools) Learn Community Search ⌘K [Sign In](/auth?returnTo=%2Fcompare%2Fmelanotan-i-vs-melanotan-ii) 100K+ researchers trust BodyHackGuide — Join [r/BodyHackGuide](https://reddit.com/r/bodyhackguide) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Compare](/compare) 3. Melanotan I vs Melanotan II # Melanotan I vs Melanotan II 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. Melanotan I from $19.00 Melanotan II from $34.99 ## Live price snapshot ### Melanotan I Current low $54.99 as of Sep 5, 2026 7-day low $39.99 30-day low $39.99 30-day change — baseline building ### Melanotan II Current low $54.99 as of Sep 5, 2026 7-day low $39.99 30-day low $39.99 30-day change — baseline building ## 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 4 vendors [Full Melanotan I profile](/compound/melanotan-i) ## Melanotan II Melanotan-II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-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 profile](/compound/melanotan-ii) ## Side-by-side comparison Attribute Melanotan I Melanotan II Category Other Skin, Hair & Aesthetics Research Stage FDA Approved Preclinical Mechanism of Action Melanotan I is afamelanotide, i.e. \[Nle4, D-Phe7\]-alpha-MSH ('NDP-alpha-MSH'), a synthetic 13-amino-acid analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The Nle4 and D-Phe7 substitutions make it resistant to enzymatic breakdown and roughly 10-100x more potent… 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 Controlled-release subcutaneous implant (Scenesse): high inter-subject variability; median Tmax ~36 h, mean Cmax ~3.7 ng/mL, apparent terminal half-life ~15 h, with plasma levels measurable to ~96 h post-dose (FDA pharmacokinetics, n=12). Injected/bolus free peptide: peak plasma at ~1-2 h with an elimination half-life of ~30 minutes; the Nle4/D-Phe7 modifications prolong biological (melanogenic) activity well beyond plasma clearance. Approximately 30-60 minutes (subcutaneous; limited published human pharmacokinetic data). Peak plasma levels occur ~1-2 hours after injection, and subjective effects typically persist 4-8 hours. Typical Dose Range 16000 — Dosing Frequency every\_1\_to\_4\_weeks — Administration Subcutaneous, Intramuscular — Side Effects Generally mild. Commonly reported: transient nausea (usually milder and less frequent than with Melanotan II), facial flushing, headache, fatigue, and skin hyperpigmentation including darkening of existing moles, freckles and nevi. Implant-site reactions occur… 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 1646.85 g/mol (average; molecular formula C78H111N21O19) ~1024.2 g/mol (average molecular weight; monoisotopic mass ~1023.5 Da). Molecular formula C50H69N15O9 (PubChem CID 92432). Common Vial Sizes 5, 10 — ## Price History 2 data points - Ion Peptide - Disguised Alpha ## Price History 4 data points - VANDL Labs - Unknown - Ion Peptide - Disguised Alpha ### Melanotan I — potential benefits - Increased melanin (eumelanin) production and skin darkening via MC1R activation, with a reduced UV requirement - FDA-approved photoprotection in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) as the Scenesse 16 mg subcutaneous implant \[PMID:26132941\] - Reduced phototoxic pain and improved quality of life in EPP patients in randomized controlled trials \[PMID:26132941\] - Tends to produce fewer MC4R-type effects (spontaneous erections, strong libido, marked nausea) than the cyclic Melanotan II - attributable to Melanotan II's greater potency and metabolic stability, not to true MC1R selectivity of Melanotan I - Investigated in research settings for photoprotection in 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 is afamelanotide, i.e. \[nle4, d-phe7\]-alpha-msh ('ndp-alpha-msh'), a synthetic 13-amino-acid analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. the nle4 and d-phe7…. 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 (Controlled-release subcutaneous implant (Scenesse): high inter-subject variability; median Tmax ~36 h, mean Cmax ~3.7 ng/mL, apparent terminal half-life ~15 h, with plasma levels measurable to ~96 h post-dose (FDA pharmacokinetics, n=12). Injected/bolus free peptide: peak plasma at ~1-2 h with an elimination half-life of ~30 minutes; the Nle4/D-Phe7 modifications prolong biological (melanogenic) activity well beyond plasma clearance. vs Approximately 30-60 minutes (subcutaneous; limited published human pharmacokinetic data). Peak plasma levels occur ~1-2 hours after injection, and subjective effects typically persist 4-8 hours.), and typical dose range. ### Which has the longer half-life, Melanotan I or Melanotan II? Melanotan I has a half-life of Controlled-release subcutaneous implant (Scenesse): high inter-subject variability; median Tmax ~36 h, mean Cmax ~3.7 ng/mL, apparent terminal half-life ~15 h, with plasma levels measurable to ~96 h post-dose (FDA pharmacokinetics, n=12). Injected/bolus free peptide: peak plasma at ~1-2 h with an elimination half-life of ~30 minutes; the Nle4/D-Phe7 modifications prolong biological (melanogenic) activity well beyond plasma clearance.. Melanotan II has a half-life of Approximately 30-60 minutes (subcutaneous; limited published human pharmacokinetic data). Peak plasma levels occur ~1-2 hours after injection, and subjective effects typically persist 4-8 hours.. 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. ## See current vendor prices Live listings from the vendors we track, refreshed continuously. [Melanotan I prices](/compound/melanotan-i?tab=prices) [Melanotan II prices](/compound/melanotan-ii?tab=prices) [Compare all compounds](/compare) ### Before you buy Melanotan I or Melanotan II Check the vendor trust score. Every supplier we track is rated 0–100 on COA verification, payment transparency, shipping, reviews, and listings — one published, reproducible methodology, applied to every vendor including BHG Labs, which shares our ownership. [View Vendor Scorecard](/vendors/scorecard) ## Related comparisons [PT-141 vs Melanotan Ii](/compare/pt-141-vs-melanotan-ii)[GHK CU vs AHK CU](/compare/ghk-cu-vs-ahk-cu) **Research use only.** BodyHackGuide is a research and price-comparison reference. BodyHackGuide and BHG Labs share common ownership. 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