Peps
What is Afamelanotide?
Afamelanotide is an alpha-MSH analogue investigated for photoprotection in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Melanotan I is a research name associated with this molecule; an implant trial does not verify a retail research vial.
Biological role or research focus
Erythropoietic protoporphyria photoprotection.
These findings are specific to EPP and the tested implants. They do not establish a safe cosmetic tanning regimen or interchangeability with Melanotan II.
Role reference: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. · 2015 ↗
Names you may encounter
Melanotan I · Melanotan 1 · NDP-MSH
Search terms can include brands, combinations, or historical names. They are not automatic product equivalents.
- Class / identity
- Alpha-MSH analogue; Melanotan I research name
- Research focus
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria photoprotection
- Featured evidence
- Human randomized trials
- Source check
- October 4, 2026
Source: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. · 2015 ↗
Biology & proposed mechanism
Its melanocortin-related pigment signaling was evaluated through pain-free light exposure in EPP. That disease-specific outcome differs from cosmetic tanning.
Source: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. · 2015 ↗
Medicine status & clinical context
The U.S. Scenesse label concerns adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria and phototoxic reactions. Its implant is intended to increase light exposure without pain; that indication does not extend to cosmetic tanning products.
The featured trials concern people with EPP and a defined implant preparation. Current product indications and availability require local prescribing references.
Source: DailyMed · Scenesse prescribing information ↗
Source: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. · 2015 ↗
What does the evidence show?
Selected published evidence, with the population, findings, and limits kept together. These original summaries draw on publication abstracts; they are not a systematic review.
Human randomized trials · 2015
Afamelanotide implants in erythropoietic protoporphyria
What did this publication test, and what did it find?
- Population / model
- 74 participants in the European trial and 94 in the US trial, all with EPP.
- Study design
- Two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled implant trials.
- Main finding
- Pain-free sun exposure was longer with afamelanotide in both trials, and quality-of-life measures improved. Reported median exposure values differed considerably between the two study settings.
- Limits & context
- These findings are specific to EPP and the tested implants. They do not establish a safe cosmetic tanning regimen or interchangeability with Melanotan II.
Source: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. · 2015 ↗
Read the original paper for methods, adverse events, funding, and conflicts of interest. Publisher access may require a subscription.
Further reading · 4 additional publication links
Exact-name PubMed search checked 2026-10-04. These records have not been appraised. A name match can include related compounds, combinations, or other formulations; it does not establish safety or benefit.
Vitiligo: Pathogenesis and New and Emerging Treatments. ↗
International journal of molecular sciences · 2023 Dec 9 · Journal Article, Review
Read available full text ↗
Vitiligo, from Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Advances: State of the Art. ↗
International journal of molecular sciences · 2023 Mar 3 · Journal Article, Review
Read available full text ↗
Afamelanotide. ↗
· 2012 · Review
From pathogenesis of acne vulgaris to anti-acne agents. ↗
Archives of dermatological research · 2019 Jul · Journal Article, Review
New editorial updates
New source discoveries
Links appear automatically. Unreviewed discoveries are not verified medical findings.
Safety & precautions
Safety & what remains unknown
Adverse events were generally mild in the reports. Complete product precautions and longer-term surveillance should be consulted for the exact medicine.
Source: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. · 2015 ↗
Evidence boundaries
These findings are specific to EPP and the tested implants. They do not establish a safe cosmetic tanning regimen or interchangeability with Melanotan II.
Source: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. · 2015 ↗
Official product context · checked October 4, 2026
The label describes pigment changes, skin surveillance, and hypersensitivity reactions. Maintaining light protection remains part of care. These precautions concern the approved implant, rather than an unverified research vial.
Source: DailyMed · Scenesse prescribing information ↗
This is not a complete list of contraindications, interactions, or adverse effects. Medicine labels apply to specific products and indications; research-use listings are not interchangeable with approved medicines.
What are people discussing?
No editorial transcript note has been reviewed for this profile yet. Below are the matching video records available for exploration; title and caption matches are not verified claims.
Watch the source discussions
0 matching video records · 0 with captions indexed.
Across the full library, 30 caption files are indexed from 20,199 inventoried videos. Most transcripts remain unreviewed. Select a thumbnail or timestamp to watch inside PepsRadar. Thumbnail images load from YouTube.
No matching video has been identified in the current snapshot.
Sources & supplier listings
Listings are grouped by the vendor’s stated identity. Blends and modified derivatives are labeled separately. Inclusion is not a quality assessment or an endorsement.
Melanotan 1 (10mg)
BioLongevity Labs · Vendor-labeled research use only
$55.97
Listed in stock · Snapshot 2026-10-04
Options may vary. Shipping and tax excluded.
Affiliate link · PepsRadar may earn a commission from purchases through this link. Affiliate disclosure.
MELANOTAN-1 (10 mg)
American Peptides · Vendor-labeled research use only
$55.00
Listed in stock · Snapshot 2026-10-05
Options may vary. Shipping and tax excluded.
Affiliate link · PepsRadar may earn a commission from purchases through this link. Affiliate disclosure.
Melanotan I (10 mg)
PSPeptides · Vendor-labeled research use only
$39.99
Listed in stock · Snapshot 2026-10-05
Options may vary. Shipping and tax excluded.
Affiliate link · PepsRadar may earn a commission from purchases through this link. Affiliate disclosure.
Catalog checked 2026-10-04. Seller listings retain their stated intended use. Shops covered: BioLongevity Labs, BioLongevity Supplements, American Peptides, PSPeptides. This is not a market-wide comparison. Affiliate participation does not determine evidence or editorial coverage.
Questions worth asking
- Does the implant evidence apply to every Melanotan I vial?
- What material, population, and route were actually studied?
- These findings are specific to EPP and the tested implants. They do not establish a safe cosmetic tanning regimen or interchangeability with Melanotan II.
- What adverse effects, uncertainty, and conflicts of interest does the original source report?
Frequently asked questions
Does the implant evidence apply to every Melanotan I vial?
No. A matching name does not verify composition, formulation, manufacturing, or equivalence to the studied implant.
Source: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. · 2015 ↗
Does the publication verify a supplier’s product?
No. The tested material and a commercial listing need separate identity and batch checks. A research-use disclaimer does not establish clinical suitability.
Source: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. · 2015 ↗
Does the official medicine reference cover every use discussed online?
No. The reference covers defined products and clinical settings. Research outside those uses needs separate evidence and does not extend the medicine’s authorization.
References & editorial record
Source notes checked 2026-10-04. Original PepsRadar summaries. Not reviewed by a medical professional. Topic grouping is editorial navigation, not a treatment recommendation. Video notes specify which excerpts were reviewed; no full transcripts are published.
PUT THE EVIDENCE IN CONTEXT
Research guides
RESEARCH FIELD GUIDE
Melanotan I vs Melanotan II: one became a medicine, one did not
Melanotan I and Melanotan II were developed in the same lab to darken skin, but only Melanotan I (afamelanotide) became an approved medicine, for a rare light-sensitivity disease. Melanotan II has only tiny early studies and documented safety concerns.
Read the guide →