Adamax
Nootropic Peptide
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Also known as: Afamelanotide, CUV1647, Scenesse, alpha-MSH analog, [Nle4,D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH (linear)
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 cyclic), Melanotan I is a linear peptide that is significantly more selective for MC1R over MC4R — making it a tanning/photoprotective agent with substantially less sexual and appetite-stimulating side effects.
IP
Lowest price per mg
$3.50/mg$35.00 for 10mg
at Ion Peptide · · median $3.50/mg
Half-life: Controlled-release subcutaneous implant (Scenesse): high inte…Route: Subcutaneous, IntramuscularMW: 1646.85 g/mol (average
Last reviewed:
Overview
At A Glance
Mechanism
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 than native alpha-MS…
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.
Dosing
every 1 to 4 weeks
Dose Range
16 mg
Routes
SubcutaneousIntramuscular
Common Vials
5mg10mg
Potential Benefits
Increased melanin (eumelanin) production and skin darkening via MC1R activation, with a reduced UV requirementFDA-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 IInvestigated in research settings for photoprotection in UV-sensitive populations
Safety Notes
Common
Nausea (typically milder and less frequent than with Melanotan II)Facial flushingHeadacheFatigueSkin hyperpigmentation; darkening of existing moles, freckles and nevi
Serious
Darkening or change in appearance of moles/nevi - requires baseline and periodic full-skin dermatologic monitoringLong-term safety of chronic melanocortin stimulation, including any effect on melanoma risk, is not establishedIn the pivotal EPP implant trials serious adverse events were not considered drug-related [PMID:26132941]
Overview
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 cyclic), Melanotan I is a linear peptide that is significantly more selective for MC1R over MC4R — making it a tanning/photoprotective agent with substantially less sexual and appetite-stimulating side effects. Afamelanotide was FDA-approved in October 2019 under the brand name Scenesse as an implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare photosensitivity disorder. Melanotan I is meaningfully different from Melanotan II in structure, selectivity, and side-effect profile and should not be confused with it.
Chemical Information
IUPAC Name
Not yet available
CAS Number
Not yet available
Molecular Formula
Not yet available
Molecular Mass
1646.85 Da (C78H111N21O19; PubChem CID 16197727)
Amino Acid Sequence
Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2 ([Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH / NDP-alpha-MSH; 13-residue analog of alpha-MSH, N-acetylated with a C-terminal amide)
Dosing & Protocols
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Research
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Interactions
Interaction and contraindication data is being compiled for Melanotan I. Check back soon.
General Safety Note
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before combining research compounds. Interactions may exist that are not yet documented.
Best Price
$35.00
up to $54.99
Best $/mg
$3.5000
Vendors
2
Listings
4
vial, nasal
Dosage
Form
Sort
Current low
$35.00
current listings
7-day low
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not enough history yet
30-day low
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Tracking since Apr 22, 2026 · 4 data points
Price History
2 data pointsVendors Selling Melanotan I
How we score these vendors
Every supplier above is graded 0 to 100 on COA verification, payment transparency, shipping, reviews, and active listings. Methodology published, no pay-to-rank.
Related Compounds
View AllAminotadalafil
OtherPreclinicalAminotadalafil is an unapproved research analog of tadalafil, the PDE5 inhibitor marketed under the brand name Cialis for erectile dysfunction and under Adcirca for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
2.5 mg - 20 mg (oral)
9 PubMedView Profile
B7-33
OtherPreclinicalB7-33 is a single-chain, 26-amino-acid peptide engineered as a functionally selective agonist of the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), designed to recapitulate the therapeutic activity of human H2 relaxin — the endogenous peptide hormone that is naturally elevated during pregnancy and has broad cardioprotective, vasodilatory, and anti-fibrotic effects.
t½ In vitro serum-stability half-life is approximately 6 minutes; B7-33 is rapidly degraded (a lipidated analog extended this to ~60 minutes in the same assay). Human in vivo pharmacokinetics are unpublished, and rapid clearance is expected for a small linear peptide (Praveen et al. 2023, PMID 37047588). 500-4000 mcg subcutaneous per injection (community/self-report research doses; most commonly ~1000 mcg / 1 mg once daily). No validated human dose exists - all figures are empirical extrapolations from rodent pharmacology.
11 PubMedView Profile
Diisopropylamine dichloroacetate (DADA)
OtherApproved (Japan)DADA is the abbreviation the research chemical market uses for diisopropylamine dichloroacetate, the diisopropylamine salt of dichloroacetic acid, CAS 660-27-5.
PreclinicalView Profile
Indole-3-propionamide (IPAM)
OtherPreclinicalIPAM is the market abbreviation for indole-3-propionamide, the amide of indole-3-propionic acid and a close structural relative of melatonin.
t½ Not established in humans; after intraperitoneal administration of 0.5 mg/kg to one-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, brain concentrations were 691 pg indole per mg protein at 2 h, 562 at 4 h and 361 at 8 h, which the authors described as a long half-life relative to melatonin (PMID: 20421998)
PreclinicalView Profile
Kisspeptin-10 (KSPTN)
OtherClinical (investigational)KSPTN is the vendor shorthand for kisspeptin, a naturally occurring peptide encoded by the KISS1 gene and the master upstream regulator of the reproductive (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) hormone axis.
t½ Kisspeptin-10: very short, reported on the order of ~4 minutes (rapid plasma clearance). Kisspeptin-54 is longer-acting (tens of minutes). The brief half-life is why human studies dose it intravenously by bolus or continuous infusion. 20-100 mcg
PreclinicalView Profile
PNC-27
OtherPreclinicalPNC-27 is a p53-derived peptide that selectively induces membranolysis in cancer cells.
t½ Unknown (no published PK data)
PreclinicalView Profile
Side-by-Side Comparisons
All ComparisonsView Full Dosage Guide →
Protocols, calculator & safety for Melanotan I
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4/21/2026Research Score
45
0 PubMed results
Quality Indicators
Data Completeness
63%Description
Mechanism of Action
Chemical Data
Dosing Protocols
Safety Profile
PubMed Results
Interactions
Vendor Listings
COA Verification
0
Verified COAs
1
Vendors w/ COA
Latest test: 9/16/2026
Quick Facts
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.
Molecular Weight
1646.85 Da (C78H111N21O19; PubChem CID 16197727)
Administration
Subcutaneous, Intramuscular
Trial Phase
FDA Approved
Safety Profile
Common Side Effects
- • Nausea (typically milder and less frequent than with Melanotan II)
- • Facial flushing
- • Headache
- • Fatigue
- • Skin hyperpigmentation; darkening of existing moles, freckles and nevi
Research Disclaimer
This information is for educational and research purposes only. Not intended as medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Melanotan I used for in research?
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 cyclic), Melanotan I is a linear peptide that is significantly more selective for MC1R over MC4R — making it a tanning/photoprotective agent with substantially less sexual and appetite-stimulating side effects. Afamelanotide was FDA-approved in October 2019 under the brand name Scenesse as an implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare photosensitivity disorder. Melanotan I is meaningfully different from Melanotan II in structure, selectivity, and side-effect profile and should not be confused with it.
What forms does Melanotan I come in?
Melanotan I is available in vial, nasal forms.
How do I compare Melanotan I vendors?
Compare prices, payment methods, shipping, and COA scores across 2 vendors.
How many vendors sell Melanotan I, and what does it cost per mg?
2 of the vendors BodyHackGuide tracks list Melanotan I (4 listings). Among BodyHackGuide's Melanotan I listings recorded as in stock with a milligram count, the lowest price per milligram is $3.50/mg at Ion Peptide and the median is $3.50/mg. The Melanotan I prices on BodyHackGuide are vendors' listed prices as BodyHackGuide last recorded them, not transactions; the most recent recorded change to a Melanotan I listing is dated 7 September 2026.
Which vendors have third-party COAs for Melanotan I on file at BodyHackGuide?
BodyHackGuide holds 59 third-party certificate records for Melanotan I, from . No editor has read any of BodyHackGuide's 59 certificate records for Melanotan I. The laboratory named on BodyHackGuide's Melanotan I certificate records is Freedom Diagnostics Testing, and the newest test date on them is 2 October 2026. Each vendor page on BodyHackGuide shows how many certificate records BodyHackGuide holds for that vendor and links to each record that has its own page.
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View AllAminotadalafil
OtherPreclinicalAminotadalafil is an unapproved research analog of tadalafil, the PDE5 inhibitor marketed under the brand name Cialis for erectile dysfunction and under Adcirca for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
2.5 mg - 20 mg (oral)
9 PubMedView Profile
B7-33
OtherPreclinicalB7-33 is a single-chain, 26-amino-acid peptide engineered as a functionally selective agonist of the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), designed to recapitulate the therapeutic activity of human H2 relaxin — the endogenous peptide hormone that is naturally elevated during pregnancy and has broad cardioprotective, vasodilatory, and anti-fibrotic effects.
t½ In vitro serum-stability half-life is approximately 6 minutes; B7-33 is rapidly degraded (a lipidated analog extended this to ~60 minutes in the same assay). Human in vivo pharmacokinetics are unpublished, and rapid clearance is expected for a small linear peptide (Praveen et al. 2023, PMID 37047588). 500-4000 mcg subcutaneous per injection (community/self-report research doses; most commonly ~1000 mcg / 1 mg once daily). No validated human dose exists - all figures are empirical extrapolations from rodent pharmacology.
11 PubMedView Profile
Diisopropylamine dichloroacetate (DADA)
OtherApproved (Japan)DADA is the abbreviation the research chemical market uses for diisopropylamine dichloroacetate, the diisopropylamine salt of dichloroacetic acid, CAS 660-27-5.
PreclinicalView Profile
Indole-3-propionamide (IPAM)
OtherPreclinicalIPAM is the market abbreviation for indole-3-propionamide, the amide of indole-3-propionic acid and a close structural relative of melatonin.
t½ Not established in humans; after intraperitoneal administration of 0.5 mg/kg to one-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, brain concentrations were 691 pg indole per mg protein at 2 h, 562 at 4 h and 361 at 8 h, which the authors described as a long half-life relative to melatonin (PMID: 20421998)
PreclinicalView Profile
Kisspeptin-10 (KSPTN)
OtherClinical (investigational)KSPTN is the vendor shorthand for kisspeptin, a naturally occurring peptide encoded by the KISS1 gene and the master upstream regulator of the reproductive (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) hormone axis.
t½ Kisspeptin-10: very short, reported on the order of ~4 minutes (rapid plasma clearance). Kisspeptin-54 is longer-acting (tens of minutes). The brief half-life is why human studies dose it intravenously by bolus or continuous infusion. 20-100 mcg
PreclinicalView Profile
PNC-27
OtherPreclinicalPNC-27 is a p53-derived peptide that selectively induces membranolysis in cancer cells.
t½ Unknown (no published PK data)
PreclinicalView Profile
Side-by-Side Comparisons
All ComparisonsCompare Melanotan I head-to-head: mechanism, half-life, dosing, safety, and vendor prices.
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