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eHealthTutorial — Research Peptide Reviews
Approved implant exists • Vial is not the implant

Afamelanotide phototoxicity research

Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)

Afamelanotide is a melanocortin analogue investigated for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Scenesse is an FDA-approved implant for a specific condition; generic research powder is not that product.

Explore the research
Generic research visual — not a commercial product
Compound typeAlpha-MSH analogue
Evidence baseRandomized implant trials and FDA-approved implant labeling
Regulatory contextFDA-approved Scenesse implant for adult EPP
Page purposeResearch overview
Why there is no compound calculator on this page

The FDA-approved formulation is a subcutaneous Scenesse implant, not a reconstituted powder vial or U-100 syringe solution. A generic vial calculator would conflate different products and delivery systems.

Research overview

What is Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)?

Afamelanotide, also called Melanotan I, is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. In clinical research, it was supplied as a particular implant, not an improvised vial solution. It must be distinguished from Melanotan II, a structurally different cyclic peptide.

What has research examined?

Two randomized controlled trials in people with erythropoietic protoporphyria found longer pain-free light exposure with the studied afamelanotide implants than placebo. FDA labeling for Scenesse limits its approval to increasing pain-free light exposure in adults with a history of EPP phototoxic reactions. This is not an approval for cosmetic tanning or for independently sourced Melanotan I powder.

Important limitation

The controlled implant trial cannot establish effectiveness or safety of a supplier research vial. This page does not suggest cosmetic use, implantation, amount, or any alternative administration.

Research references

Calculation boundary

The FDA-approved formulation is a subcutaneous Scenesse implant, not a reconstituted powder vial or U-100 syringe solution. A generic vial calculator would conflate different products and delivery systems.

For research purposes only. This page is educational and is not medical or veterinary advice or a recommendation to purchase, prepare, administer, or use any product.