NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

Afamelanotide

Estimated Market Price
$22 $50+
Estimated for 10 mg equivalent ยท Based on verified supplier pricing
Selective MC1R agonist for clean melanin stimulation. FDA-approved photoprotective peptide. Tanning benefits without broad melanocortin side effects.
How it works

Selectively activates MC1R receptors in skin cells to ramp up melanin production without needing UV exposure. The result is a protective tan that shields against sun damage.

Performance

Skin & Beauty

What to Expect
Days 1โ€“7 MC1R activation begins; melanocytes start producing eumelanin. Nothing visible yet; melanin production starting internally.
Week 2โ€“4 Gradual skin darkening visible; photoprotection increasing. Skin gradually darkening; natural-looking tan developing.
Month 2 Peak melanin production; implant replaced if continuing. Full tan achieved; skin feels more protected from sun.
Month 3โ€“6 Sustained photoprotection with scheduled re-implantation. Tan maintained steadily with regular implant schedule.

Verified Suppliers

For research purposes only. These suppliers have been independently verified by PepSpace. We do not process sales directly.

PepSpace is not affiliated with any listed supplier
Protocol & Dosage
Typical Dosage 16 mg SC implant every 2 months
Administration Subcutaneous implant
Schedule Single implant every 60 days
Protocol Duration 4โ€“6 months (2โ€“3 implant cycles)
Half-Life ~30 minutes
Side Effects & Safety
Tolerability Profile Mild

Generally well tolerated; side effects are mild and transient

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea~20%
  • Headache~12%
  • Injection site reactionsome users
  • Skin darkening (intended therapeutic effect)most users
  • Fatigue~8%

Less Common

  • Dizzinessoccasional
  • Abdominal painoccasional
  • Oropharyngeal painoccasional
  • Flushingoccasional
  • Back painoccasional

Rare / Serious

  • Melanocytic nevi changes (requires monitoring)rare

Discontinue If

  • Irregular or changing moles (dermatological evaluation needed)
  • Severe allergic reaction
  • Persistent abdominal pain

Contraindications

  • History of melanoma or dysplastic nevi
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Severe hepatic impairment

Data note: FDA-approved (Scenesse, 2019) for erythropoietic protoporphyria. More selective MC1R agonist than Melanotan-2. Annual skin checks recommended.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. This information is for research reference only and does not constitute medical advice.

Ask about Afamelanotide
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How to Apply

1

Gather

Peptide vial, BAC water, alcohol swabs, insulin syringe

2

Sanitize

Wipe tops of both vials with alcohol swabs

3

Draw

Pull 1–2 mL of BAC water into syringe

4

Add Water

Release water slowly along vial wall, not directly on powder

5

Swirl

Roll between palms until dissolved. Never shake.

6

Store

Refrigerate 2–8°C, use within 30 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Bacteriostatic water (BAC water) is required to reconstitute lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptides. It contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol which prevents bacterial growth, keeping your reconstituted peptide safe for multiple uses over up to 30 days.

Unreconstituted: store at -20°C (freezer) for long-term, or 2–8°C (fridge) for short-term. After reconstitution: always refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 30 days. Keep away from direct sunlight.

Results vary by individual and protocol. In research settings, measurable effects are typically observed within 1–4 weeks depending on the specific peptide, dosage, and application. Consult a qualified professional for guidance.

Verified suppliers typically include a full third-party COA verifying purity (99%+), identity, and sterility. We recommend only sourcing from vendors that provide batch-specific testing data.

We list verified suppliers above that have been independently reviewed for product quality, testing transparency, and shipping reliability. Always verify COA data before sourcing.

Compound Profile

Scientific data & classification for Afamelanotide

Also Known As Melanotan I, MT-I, CUV1647, Scenesse, NDP-ฮฑ-MSH
Classification Linear Peptide ยท Melanocortin Agonist
Sequence Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NHโ‚‚ (13 aa)
Molecular Formula Cโ‚‡โ‚ˆHโ‚โ‚โ‚Nโ‚‚โ‚Oโ‚โ‚‰
Molecular Weight 1,646.85 Da
CAS Number 75921-69-6
Half-Life ~30 minutes
Origin Synthetic superpotent analog of ฮฑ-MSH
Administration Subcutaneous implant
Status FDA Approved (2019) - erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)
Mechanism of Action Selectively activates MC1R receptors in skin cells to ramp up melanin production without needing UV exposure. The result is a protective tan that shields against sun damage.
Research Overview Afamelanotide, originally known as Melanotan I or [Nle4,D-Phe7]-ฮฑ-MSH (NDP-MSH), is a synthetic linear analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that became the first melanocortin-based drug to receive FDA approval when it was cleared in October 2019 under the trade name Scenesse for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 75,000 individuals. The compound was first synthesized in 1980 by Victor Hruby and colleagues at the University of Arizona as part of a systematic effort to create superpotent melanotropin analogs - the introduction of norleucine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine at position 7 of the native ฮฑ-MSH sequence increased melanocortin receptor binding affinity and biological activity by approximately 100-fold while also dramatically improving resistance to enzymatic degradation. Afamelanotide is a potent and relatively selective agonist at the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), which is expressed on epidermal melanocytes and mediates the synthesis of eumelanin - the dark, photoprotective form of melanin that absorbs UV radiation and scavenges free radicals generated by photon energy absorption. In EPP patients, deficiency in the heme biosynthetic enzyme ferrochelatase leads to accumulation of protoporphyrin IX in the skin, which absorbs visible light (particularly in the 400-410 nm Soret band) and generates phototoxic singlet oxygen species, causing severe burning pain and tissue damage upon even brief sunlight exposure. By stimulating eumelanin production independently of UV exposure, afamelanotide provides a photoprotective shield that significantly increases the duration of pain-free sun exposure and improves quality of life in EPP patients. The drug is administered as a subcutaneous biodegradable implant (16 mg) that releases afamelanotide over approximately 10 days, with treatments typically repeated every two months during seasons of high sun exposure. Research continues into potential applications in other photosensitivity disorders including solar urticaria and polymorphic light eruption.

Citations

Published findings on Afamelanotide from peer-reviewed journals.

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