153 In the index

Melanotan I MT-I

A lab-made version of a skin hormone that darkens skin, and the basis for an FDA-approved drug (afamelanotide) used for a rare light-sensitivity condition. That approved drug is well studied for its specific medical use, but using Melanotan I itself just for tanning isn't approved and has much less direct research behind it.

Also known as Afamelanotide, Scenesse, Melanotan, 4-Norleucyl-7-phenylalanine-alpha-msh, NDPMSH, (Nle(4),D-Phe(7))alpha-MSH, RefChem:57383, D02BB02, 4-Nle-7-Phe-alpha-MSH

Effects Skin and hair

Routes Subcutaneous

Legal status Prescription drug

WADA Not listed

Molecular Structure of C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉

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PubChem has no 3D conformer for this molecule, so this is the flat structure.

Chemistry

Formula: C78H111N21O19
Molar mass: 1646.8
CAS: 75921-69-6
PubChem CID: 16197727
IUPAC name: (4S)-4-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-acetamido-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]hexanoyl]amino]-5-[[(2S)-1-[[(2R)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[2-[[(2S)-6-amino-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-1-oxohexan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-5-oxopentanoic acid
InChIKey: UAHFGYDRQSXQEB-LEBBXHLNSA-N

Reported dosing

User-reported

What has been reported in the literature and by users. This is a record of what is done, not a recommendation.

Typical dose 250-500 mcg/day (loading), then reduced maintenance dosing

Reported range 250 mcg-1 mg/day

Route Subcutaneous injection

Frequency Once daily during loading, then less frequently

Duration Ongoing/cyclical (unregulated use)

Studied as afamelanotide, later FDA-approved (Scenesse) for a rare light-sensitivity disorder, but delivered clinically as an implant, not the injectable form sold on the research-chemical market. Self-injected use is unregulated.

Where this comes from FDA prescribing information (approved implant form); user-reported/research-chemical vendor literature (injectable form)

There is no approved human dosing for this compound. The figures above are what users and vendors report, not what has been established as safe or effective. Treat them as a record of what is done, not as guidance.