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Research information only. Not medical advice. 18+ only. Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use.

Melanotan I

Also known as: MT-I, NDP-MSH, NDP-α-MSH, [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH, [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH, afamelanotide (note: afamelanotide is the approved pharmaceutical form; Melanotan I is the unregulated analogue — see regulatory notes), MELANOTAN, melanotan-I

Synthetic melanocortin peptide analogue (α-MSH analogue); melanocortin receptor agonist

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What it is

Melanotan I ([Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH) is a superpotent, enzymatically resistant synthetic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It acts primarily as an agonist at the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), which is highly expressed on melanocytes. Binding to MC1R stimulates cyclic AMP (cAMP)-mediated signalling, leading to increased melanin synthesis — specifically eumelanin — resulting in skin tanning. In pharmacokinetic studies, MT-I binds the hMC1R with an IC50 of approximately 1.2 nM and a cAMP EC50 of approximately 0.5 nM. Beyond MC1R, NDP-MSH (MT-I) has demonstrated agonist activity at MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R in various in vitro and animal studies. Additional reported biological activities include anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of energy homeostasis via central melanocortin receptors, and neuroprotective properties, though these have been studied primarily with the NDP-MSH molecule in animal or in vitro settings.

Class: Synthetic melanocortin peptide analogue (α-MSH analogue); melanocortin receptor agonist

What it's studied for

  • Skin tanning / melanogenesis stimulation (sunless tanning) Human RCT
    • Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in 28 healthy white men. Subcutaneous NDP-α-MSH (10 injections over 12 days) produced significant skin darkening in both poor and good tanners (skin types I-IV); no darkening in placebo group. Peak changes 1-3 weeks after therapy completion. PMID 1658407 Levine N et al. JAMA. 1991.
    • Seven volunteers (skin types III-IV) given 0.16 mg/kg/day MT-I subcutaneously x 10 daily injections over 2 weeks. Tanning at face, neck, and forearm. Mean 49% increase in forehead eumelanin and 98% increase in forearm eumelanin one week after treatment ended. Eumelanin:pheomelanin ratio increased (51:1 to 86:1). PMID 11045725 Dorr RT et al. Photochem Photobiol. 2000.
    • Randomized controlled trial in 77 Caucasians. NDP-MSH administration produced significant (p<0.001) increase in melanin density vs placebo. Effect was greater in individuals carrying MC1R variant alleles compared to those with no variant alleles. PMID 16293341 Fitzgerald LM et al. Peptides. 2006.
    • Comparative PK trial in 3 male volunteers. SC dose fully bioavailable vs IV. No oral bioavailability. SC plasma half-life: absorption phase 0.07-0.79 h, beta-phase 0.8-1.7 h. Significant tanning of forehead, arms, neck after IV or SC dosing; tanning peaked ~1 week post-dosing and persisted 3 weeks after completing 10-d PMID 9113347 Ugwu SO et al. Biopharm Drug Dispos. 1997.
  • Photoprotection / skin cancer prevention Human observational
    • Review noting regulated α-MSH analogue afamelanotide (related compound) was in Phase II/III clinical trials for photoprotective potential in photosensitivity disorders and those prone to non-melanoma skin cancer at time of publication. Melanotan I is described as unregulated. Full photoprotective and biological effects PMID 20545686 Langan EA et al. Br J Dermatol. 2010.
    • Historical review noting MT-I has been clinically tested for tanning of the skin and may provide a therapeutic tan with potential to lower skin cancer risk. PMID 16412534 Hadley ME, Dorr RT. Peptides. 2006.
  • Melanocortin receptor pharmacology / tool compound for receptor studies In vitro only
    • Review identifying NDP-MSH (melanotan I) as a key tool compound for melanocortin receptor research, serving as a scaffold for drug development, cell line validation, cryo-EM structure studies, and high-throughput discovery. PMID 39296259 Weirath NA, Haskell-Luevano C. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci. 2024.
    • In vitro characterization: MT-I binds hMC1R with IC50 ~1.2 nM and stimulates cAMP with EC50 ~0.5 nM. MT-II was more potent. MT-I is superpotent compared to native α-MSH. PMID 7980588 Haskell-Luevano C et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1994.
  • Central melanocortin system modulation of feed intake and metabolic variables Animal studies only
    • Intracerebroventricular infusion of MT-I (0.03 nmol/h) in ewes reduced feed intake from 1.8 to 1.1 M (p<0.0001). MT-I increased plasma T3 and T4 independently of intake but had no effect on plasma glucose, insulin, or cortisol. MT-I blunted insulin's ability to inhibit endogenous glucose production during hyperinsuline PMID 38035762 Ehrhardt RA et al. J Anim Sci. 2023.
  • Anti-inflammatory / neuroprotective effects (NDP-MSH in experimental models) Animal studies only
    • NDP-α-MSH (340 μg/kg i.p., 50 days) improved cognitive abilities and decreased hyperphosphorylated Tau in advanced AD transgenic mouse models. Did not affect Aβ burden. PMID 36703981 Daini E et al. Front Immunol. 2022.
    • NDP-MSH administered to rats during ex vivo lung perfusion reduced inflammatory mediators, leukocyte release, and lactate production, and improved vascular and airway parameters in marginal lungs. PMID 33865932 Lonati C et al. Peptides. 2021.
  • Peripheral nerve regeneration (NDP-MSH delivery system in animal model) Animal studies only
    • NDP-MSH-loaded biodegradable polyurethane nerve conduits achieved structural, functional, and electrophysiological outcomes comparable to autograft in a 10-mm rat sciatic nerve defect model at 60 days. NDP-MSH attenuated oxidative damage in Schwann cells in vitro. PMID 41758331 Li J et al. J Mater Chem B. 2026.
  • Cognitive impairment / neuroinflammation (nanoparticle-delivered NDP-MSH) Animal studies only
    • Polysorbate 80-coated chitosan nanoparticles loaded with NDP-MSH, given intraperitoneally to rats, crossed the blood-brain barrier and reversed decreased contextual fear memory in high-fat diet neuroinflammation models. PMID 38688422 Herrera G et al. Neuropharmacology. 2024.
  • Melanocortin receptor agonist activity in sexual dysfunction (clinical review) Human observational
    • Review summarizing clinical development of MCR agonists including melanotan I for sexual arousal/orgasmic disorders and ED. Notes data warrant further investigation; does not report definitive efficacy or approval. PMID 25096243 Ückert S et al. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2014.

Community-reported dosing

RouteDoseFrequency / DurationPopulation / contextSource tier
SubcutaneousNot explicitly stated in mg/kg in abstract; described as 10 subcutaneous injections of purified NDP preparation over 12 days12 days dosing; 7-week follow-uphumanResearch PMID 1658407
Subcutaneous0.16 mg/kg/day10 daily injections (Monday-Friday) over 2 weekshumanResearch PMID 11045725
Intravenous, subcutaneous, oral (oral showed no detectable plasma levels)0.16 mg/kg IV and oral; 0.08 to 0.21 mg/kg subcutaneousFive consecutive days per week for 2 weeks (ten doses)humanResearch PMID 9113347
Not explicitly stated in abstractNot explicitly stated in abstractNot explicitly stated in abstracthumanResearch PMID 16293341
Intracerebroventricular0.03 nmol/h (MTI); 0.3 nmol/h (AGRP comparator)Multi-day intracerebroventricular infusionanimalResearch PMID 38035762
Intraperitoneal340 μg/kg50 daysanimalResearch PMID 36703981
Intraperitoneal (nanoparticle formulation)Not explicitly stated for NDP-MSH alone; delivered via nanoparticles intraperitoneallyNot explicitly statedanimalResearch PMID 38688422
Not explicitly stated (systemic pre-treatment and ex vivo perfusion)Not explicitly stated in abstract for individual animal dosePre-procurement and during ex vivo lung perfusionanimalResearch PMID 33865932
Local delivery via implanted conduitNot explicitly stated as mg/kg; NDP-MSH loaded into nerve conduit60 days post-implantationanimalResearch PMID 41758331
In vitro (cell culture incubation)10 nM NDP-MSH6 daysin_vitroResearch PMID 54
In vitro (cell culture)Not explicitly quantified in abstract72 hours (continuous presence); also 6, 15, 27, 43 daysin_vitroResearch PMID 44
subcutaneous injection500 mcgdailybiohackers and tanning enthusiasts seeking skin darkening / photoprotection[S] Claude Sonnet 4.6 — synthesized from aggregate training data
subcutaneous injection500 mcgevery 2-3 daysbiohackers and tanning enthusiasts who have completed a loading phase[S] Claude Sonnet 4.6 — synthesized from aggregate training data
subcutaneous injection250 mcgdailyfirst-time users / side-effect-sensitive individuals[S] Claude Sonnet 4.6 — synthesized from aggregate training data
subcutaneous implant (depot)16 mgsingle implant every 60 dayserythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) patients under clinical / compounding-pharmacy management; some biohackers sourcing implant rods[S] Claude Sonnet 4.6 — synthesized from aggregate training data
subcutaneous injection1000 mcgdailyexperienced biohackers / users with naturally dark skin seeking faster or deeper tan[S] Claude Sonnet 4.6 — synthesized from aggregate training data
subcutaneous injection500 mcgonce weeklybiohackers in maintenance phase with minimal UV exposure or seeking very slow pigment preservation[S] Claude Sonnet 4.6 — synthesized from aggregate training data

Tier key: Research = PMID-cited study · [C] = scraped community source · [S] = model-synthesized from aggregate community reports (softer evidence). How we source.

Safety signals

  • Activation of dysplastic nevi reported in case reports associated with Melanotan I use PMID 26315100
  • Melanoma emergence from existing moles during or shortly after use: four case reports described (conclusive causal evidence lacking) PMID 28266027
  • Cutaneous complications including melanocytic changes in existing moles and newly emerging (dysplastic) nevi associated with unregulated Melanotan I and II use PMID 28266027
  • Melanotan-associated transverse melanonychia (nail pigmentation change) reported in a case report PMID 22182016
  • Eruptive pigmented lesion reported after Melanotan injection (case report) PMID 21933235
  • Rhabdomyolysis, systemic toxicity with sympathomimetic excess, and renal dysfunction reported after Melanotan II use (same product class; Melanotan I is explicitly listed as a formulation in this product line) PMID 23121206
  • Serious adverse effects including rhabdomyolysis, renal infarction, and priapism associated with unregulated Melanotan I and II use PMID 41890775
  • Risk of blood-borne virus transmission from needle sharing associated with illicit Melanotan injection PMID 20545686
  • Facial flushing and occasional gastrointestinal upset reported in pharmacokinetic clinical trial at 0.08–0.21 mg/kg subcutaneous dosing PMID 9113347
  • Product purity and preparation concerns with illicitly obtained Melanotan products; potential for impurities PMID 28266027
  • Users of Melanotan tan-enhancing agents also use sunbeds more frequently, suggesting compounding UV exposure risk PMID 40584950

Contraindications

  • No absolute contraindications are explicitly stated in the reviewed literature for Melanotan I specifically. However, the literature broadly warns against use in unregulated contexts due to unknown preparation, dosing, and purity. Use in patients with dysplastic nevi is of particular concern given reports of nevi activation and melanoma emergence. PMID 28266027
  • Patients with existing moles or dysplastic nevi: case reports associate Melanotan use with activation of dysplastic nevi and melanoma emergence from existing moles PMID 26315100

Frequently asked

What is Melanotan I and how does it work?

Melanotan I ([Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH, also called NDP-MSH or MT-I) is a synthetic analogue of the natural hormone α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It acts as an agonist at the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) on melanocytes, stimulating cyclic AMP signalling and increasing production of eumelanin (the dark, photoprotective form of melanin), which causes skin tanning. In clinical trials, subcutaneous injections over ~10 days produced measurable increases in skin eumelanin and visible tanning.

What dose of Melanotan I should I use for tanning?

I'm not a medical professional and can't recommend a protocol for you specifically. What research has shown: In published human clinical trials, doses of 0.16 mg/kg/day subcutaneously over 10 daily injections were used and produced tanning. A pharmacokinetic study tested 0.08–0.21 mg/kg subcutaneously. These were conducted under medical supervision with monitoring. Unregulated self-administration carries serious safety risks.

Is Melanotan I legal / approved?

The reviewed scientific literature describes Melanotan I as an unregulated substance that is purchased illicitly online. Multiple national health organizations have issued safety warnings about its use. The closely related compound afamelanotide is described as the only α-MSH analogue approved for limited medical indications, but Melanotan I itself is not described as approved in any of the reviewed studies. Exact regulatory status in your jurisdiction requires verification with the relevant authority — I don't have reliable study data confirming current legal status in any specific country.

Is Melanotan I safe? What are the risks?

Published literature has identified several safety signals. Unregulated Melanotan I use has been associated with: activation of dysplastic nevi; four reported cases of melanoma emerging from existing moles during or shortly after use (conclusive causal evidence lacking); transverse melanonychia (nail changes); eruptive pigmented lesions; and (for the same product class including Melanotan II) rhabdomyolysis, renal infarction, and priapism. Risks from product impurity and needle sharing (blood-borne virus transmission) are also noted. Multiple national health organizations have issued safety warnings.

Can I take Melanotan I if I have moles or a history of skin cancer?

I can't suggest treatments for medical conditions. Please speak with a licensed healthcare provider. Published literature reports that Melanotan I has been associated with activation of dysplastic nevi and melanoma emerging from existing moles in case reports. This is a significant concern flagged in the dermatology literature for individuals with pigmented lesions.

Can Melanotan I be taken orally?

Based on published pharmacokinetic data, oral administration of MT-I at 0.16 mg/kg resulted in no detectable plasma drug levels, indicating no oral bioavailability. The published clinical studies used subcutaneous or intravenous routes.

How long does tanning from Melanotan I last?

In published human studies, tanning peaked approximately 1 to 3 weeks after completing a 10-day injection regimen and was still present 3 weeks after the last dose. A eumelanin increase of 49–98% over baseline was measured in forearm and forehead skin one week after the dosing period ended. Longer-term duration data beyond these timeframes are not described in the reviewed abstracts.

Does Melanotan I work on people with red hair or fair skin (MC1R variants)?

Yes — a randomized controlled trial in 77 Caucasians found that NDP-MSH (MT-I) produced a significant increase in melanin density in individuals with MC1R variant alleles. Notably, the melanin increase was greater in individuals carrying variants Val60Leu, Asp84Glu, Val92Met, Arg142His, Arg151Cys, and Arg160Trp compared to those with no variant alleles. This suggests that even individuals with reduced MC1R function can respond to MT-I, though individual outcomes varied.

What is the difference between Melanotan I and Melanotan II?

Based on the reviewed literature: Melanotan I is a linear peptide primarily used for skin tanning via MC1R activation. Melanotan II is a cyclic truncated peptide that also increases skin pigmentation but additionally produces spontaneous penile erections and sexual stimulation. Melanotan II has been associated with severe systemic toxicity including rhabdomyolysis. Both are described as unregulated, illicitly available substances.

Can I stack Melanotan I with other peptides or compounds?

I can't recommend combining compounds — that's a prescribing decision. Here's what has been studied individually: Melanotan I has been studied as a standalone agent for tanning in human clinical trials. No peer-reviewed clinical studies examining Melanotan I in combination with other compounds were identified in the reviewed literature.

Where can I buy Melanotan I?

I don't recommend vendors or sources. Please consult a licensed provider. Note that the reviewed scientific literature describes Melanotan I as an unregulated substance sold illicitly online with associated safety, purity, and legal risks.

References

  1. [1] PMID 1658407 — Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in 28 healthy white men. Subcutaneous NDP-α-MSH (10 injections over 12 days) produced significant skin darken
  2. [2] PMID 11045725 — Seven volunteers (skin types III-IV) given 0.16 mg/kg/day MT-I subcutaneously x 10 daily injections over 2 weeks. Tanning at face, neck, and forearm. Mean 49% i
  3. [3] PMID 16293341 — Randomized controlled trial in 77 Caucasians. NDP-MSH administration produced significant (p<0.001) increase in melanin density vs placebo. Effect was greater i
  4. [4] PMID 9113347 — Comparative PK trial in 3 male volunteers. SC dose fully bioavailable vs IV. No oral bioavailability. SC plasma half-life: absorption phase 0.07-0.79 h, beta-ph
  5. [5] PMID 20545686 — Review noting regulated α-MSH analogue afamelanotide (related compound) was in Phase II/III clinical trials for photoprotective potential in photosensitivity di
  6. [6] PMID 16412534 — Historical review noting MT-I has been clinically tested for tanning of the skin and may provide a therapeutic tan with potential to lower skin cancer risk.
  7. [7] PMID 39296259 — Review identifying NDP-MSH (melanotan I) as a key tool compound for melanocortin receptor research, serving as a scaffold for drug development, cell line valida
  8. [8] PMID 7980588 — In vitro characterization: MT-I binds hMC1R with IC50 ~1.2 nM and stimulates cAMP with EC50 ~0.5 nM. MT-II was more potent. MT-I is superpotent compared to nati
  9. [9] PMID 38035762 — Intracerebroventricular infusion of MT-I (0.03 nmol/h) in ewes reduced feed intake from 1.8 to 1.1 M (p<0.0001). MT-I increased plasma T3 and T4 independently o
  10. [10] PMID 36703981 — NDP-α-MSH (340 μg/kg i.p., 50 days) improved cognitive abilities and decreased hyperphosphorylated Tau in advanced AD transgenic mouse models. Did not affect Aβ
  11. [11] PMID 33865932 — NDP-MSH administered to rats during ex vivo lung perfusion reduced inflammatory mediators, leukocyte release, and lactate production, and improved vascular and
  12. [12] PMID 41758331 — NDP-MSH-loaded biodegradable polyurethane nerve conduits achieved structural, functional, and electrophysiological outcomes comparable to autograft in a 10-mm r
  13. [13] PMID 38688422 — Polysorbate 80-coated chitosan nanoparticles loaded with NDP-MSH, given intraperitoneally to rats, crossed the blood-brain barrier and reversed decreased contex
  14. [14] PMID 25096243 — Review summarizing clinical development of MCR agonists including melanotan I for sexual arousal/orgasmic disorders and ED. Notes data warrant further investiga
  15. [15] PMID 54 — 10 nM NDP-MSH In vitro (cell culture incubation) (in_vitro)
  16. [16] PMID 44 — Not explicitly quantified in abstract In vitro (cell culture) (in_vitro)
  17. [17] PMID 26315100 — Activation of dysplastic nevi reported in case reports associated with Melanotan I use
  18. [18] PMID 28266027 — Melanoma emergence from existing moles during or shortly after use: four case reports described (conclusive causal evidence lacking)
  19. [19] PMID 22182016 — Melanotan-associated transverse melanonychia (nail pigmentation change) reported in a case report
  20. [20] PMID 21933235 — Eruptive pigmented lesion reported after Melanotan injection (case report)
  21. [21] PMID 23121206 — Rhabdomyolysis, systemic toxicity with sympathomimetic excess, and renal dysfunction reported after Melanotan II use (same product class; Melanotan I is explici
  22. [22] PMID 41890775 — Serious adverse effects including rhabdomyolysis, renal infarction, and priapism associated with unregulated Melanotan I and II use
  23. [23] PMID 40584950 — Users of Melanotan tan-enhancing agents also use sunbeds more frequently, suggesting compounding UV exposure risk
  24. [24] PMID 27 — in-prose reference
  25. [25] PMID 41489668 — in-prose reference
  26. [26] PMID 45 — in-prose reference
  27. [27] PMID 33 — in-prose reference
  28. [28] PMID 57 — in-prose reference
  29. [29] PMID 8548013 — in-prose reference
  30. [30] PMID 2155969 — in-prose reference
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