Family · skin
Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide)
Afamelanotide, Scenesse, [Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH
A synthetic tridecapeptide analog of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that acts as a melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) agonist, increasing eumelanin production. As the drug afamelanotide (Scenesse), it is a longer-acting, more stable α-MSH analog than the native hormone.
Well-characterized as the approved drug afamelanotide, supported by randomized controlled trials in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Note: the grey-market 'Melanotan-1' sold as a self-tanning agent is an unregulated product with no approved indication and is not the same as pharmaceutical, physician-administered afamelanotide.
- Approved (afamelanotide/Scenesse) to increase pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)
- Studied in other light-sensitivity and pigmentary disorders
- Grey-market non-approved use for skin tanning (not an authorized indication)
Educational overview only — no dosing instructions in the public hub. Afamelanotide is a prescription-only implant administered by a physician under its approved indication.
Reported drug-label warnings include hypersensitivity reactions and the need for skin monitoring. Grey-market 'Melanotan' products carry additional risks from unknown purity, dosing, and unsupervised use; long-term safety of non-approved tanning use is not established.
Only physician-administered afamelanotide is a regulated pharmaceutical product. For any research material, third-party CoA (purity + quantification + MS) is the minimum verification; grey-market tanning products are unregulated.
Afamelanotide (Scenesse) is approved by the EMA (2014) and FDA (2019) for erythropoietic protoporphyria as a prescription implant. Marketing or use of 'Melanotan-1' for cosmetic tanning is not approved and is restricted or prohibited in many jurisdictions.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) used for?
- Approved (afamelanotide/Scenesse) to increase pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Studied in other light-sensitivity and pigmentary disorders. Grey-market non-approved use for skin tanning (not an authorized indication). Well-characterized as the approved drug afamelanotide, supported by randomized controlled trials in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Note: the grey-market 'Melanotan-1' sold as a self-tanning agent is an unregulated product with no approved indication and is not the same as pharmaceutical, physician-administered afamelanotide.
- Is Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) legal in Europe?
- Afamelanotide (Scenesse) is approved by the EMA (2014) and FDA (2019) for erythropoietic protoporphyria as a prescription implant. Marketing or use of 'Melanotan-1' for cosmetic tanning is not approved and is restricted or prohibited in many jurisdictions.
- What are the risks and side effects of Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide)?
- Reported drug-label warnings include hypersensitivity reactions and the need for skin monitoring. Grey-market 'Melanotan' products carry additional risks from unknown purity, dosing, and unsupervised use; long-term safety of non-approved tanning use is not established.
- How is the quality of Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) assessed?
- Only physician-administered afamelanotide is a regulated pharmaceutical product. For any research material, third-party CoA (purity + quantification + MS) is the minimum verification; grey-market tanning products are unregulated.