Melanotan I: What It Is and Its U.S. Regulatory Status

What is melanotan I?

Melanotan I is the older research name for afamelanotide, a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Alpha-MSH is a natural hormone that signals skin cells to produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.

U.S. regulatory status

Current status: FDA-approved prescription drug (Rx only).

This means the FDA has reviewed and approved at least one product containing afamelanotide for specific uses, and it can only be dispensed with a valid prescription. The approval covers the approved product itself. It does not extend to unapproved products sold under the same name.

Brand name and approved use

Afamelanotide is approved in the United States as Scenesse, an implant placed by a trained healthcare professional. It is approved for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare inherited condition that causes painful reactions to light. It is not approved for cosmetic tanning.

How is it accessed?

Scenesse is available only by prescription from a licensed healthcare provider and is dispensed through a licensed pharmacy. Unapproved products sold as “melanotan” are not Scenesse.

Why Peptide Labs does not sell melanotan I

Peptide Labs does not sell this compound. This page is general information, not medical advice. We do not supply afamelanotide, and we do not point readers to anyone who does.

For personal medical questions, including questions about afamelanotide, the right person to ask is a licensed healthcare provider.

Related reading

See the full list of compound profiles in the Peptide Guide.