Melanotan I

What is Melanotan I?

Melanotan I, also known by its generic name afamelanotide and the brand name Scenesse, is a synthetic peptide that is a structural analog of a natural hormone in the body called alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It primarily works by binding to melanocortin receptors, especially the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). This binding stimulates a process called melanogenesis, which increases the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color.

Initially developed for its ability to tan the skin with minimal sun exposure, it is now an FDA-approved prescription medication used to prevent phototoxicity in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare genetic disorder that causes extreme sensitivity to light.

It's important to distinguish Melanotan I from Melanotan II. While both are synthetic analogs of α-MSH, Melanotan I is more specific to the MC1R and is primarily used for its skin-darkening effects. Melanotan II, on the other hand, is less receptor-specific and also has effects on appetite and libido, which led to its investigation for erectile dysfunction.

Side Effects and Benefits

Benefits:

• Skin Tanning/Photoprotection: The primary and most well-documented benefit is its ability to increase melanin production, leading to a darker skin tone. This offers a protective effect against sun damage, particularly for individuals with light skin.

• Treatment for EPP: As a prescription medication (Scenesse), it is approved for increasing pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria.

• Potential for other photo-induced diseases: Clinical trials have explored its use for other light-related skin conditions like vitiligo and solar urticaria, with promising results.

Side Effects:

• Common Side Effects:

  • Facial flushing

  • Nausea and stomach upset

  • Decreased appetite

  • Tiredness

  • New or darkened moles and freckles

• Potential Serious Side Effects:

  • Skin Cancer: Some research suggests a possible link between Melanotan II and the development of malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. The long-term effects of Melanotan I are not fully known, and this remains a significant concern.

  • Kidney Failure: Melanotan II has been linked to a life-threatening condition called renal infarction.

  • Infection: As an injectable substance, there are risks associated with improper preparation or use, such as hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, or blood infections.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Effective Tanning: It can lead to a significant tan with minimal UV exposure, offering a potential protective mechanism against sun damage.

• Medical Use: It has a legitimate, approved medical application for a debilitating genetic disorder (EPP).

Cons:

• Unregulated and Illegally Sold: A major con is that non-prescription Melanotan I products are unregulated and often sold illegally online. There is no guarantee of their purity, dosage, or safety.

• Unknown Long-Term Effects: The full long-term health consequences of using Melanotan I for cosmetic purposes are largely unknown.

• Risk of Serious Side Effects: There are significant health risks associated with its use, including potential links to skin cancer and other severe complications, particularly for illegally obtained products.

Dosage and Frequency

Dosage and frequency vary, especially for unregulated products. However, clinical studies and some online sources mention dosage in the range of 0.08 to 0.21 mg/kg administered subcutaneously. One source suggests a starting dose of 0.15 mL once daily for 1-2 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of 0.25 mL twice weekly. It's crucial to note that these are for unregulated products, and the actual dosage for the prescription drug Scenesse is determined by a physician.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-Life: The plasma half-life of Melanotan I following subcutaneous injection has been reported to range from 0.8 to 1.7 hours for the elimination phase.

• Detection Time: While specific detection times are not readily available in the search results, the short half-life suggests it is likely to clear from the body relatively quickly. However, its metabolites or effects (like tanning) might persist for weeks. One study noted that the tanning effect peaked after 1 week but was still present 3 weeks after the last dose.

Sterogenic, Progestronic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic and Progestronic Effects: The search results do not mention any specific sterogenic (related to steroids) or progestronic (related to progesterone) effects of Melanotan I.

• Prolactin Effects: The search results for "melanotan" and "prolactin" brought up information about the effects of melatonin, a completely different hormone, on prolactin. There is no information in the provided search results to suggest that Melanotan I has any direct effect on prolactin.

Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

Melanotan I is a peptide hormone, not an anabolic-androgenic steroid. Therefore, it does not have an anabolic-androgenic ratio. This ratio is a metric used to compare the muscle-building (anabolic) effects to the masculinizing (androgenic) effects of a substance. It is not applicable to Melanotan I.