# Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes - facts

Canonical page: https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1
Type: Lab article

## TL;DR

Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) is a synthetic 13-amino-acid alpha-MSH analog studied at the MC1 receptor. Research-use reference and reconstitution notes.

## Facts Index

| Fact ID | Category | Entity | Attribute | Value | Source | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| melanotan-1:title | identity | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | title | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:published | identity | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | published | 2026-08-15 | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:author | identity | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | author | Preppin' Peppers Editorial Team | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:topics | identity | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | topics | FDA-approved or specific-use, research | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:summary | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | summary | Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) is a synthetic 13-amino-acid alpha-MSH analog studied at the MC1 receptor. Research-use reference and reconstitution notes. | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-1 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | What it is | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-2 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | Melanotan I | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-3 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | What it is | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-4 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | Research context and categorization | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-5 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | Status | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-6 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | Reconstitution notes (general) | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-7 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | Dilution and handling notes (compound-specific) | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-8 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | Handling and storage | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-9 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | Related reading | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-10 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | Tools and supplies | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:section-12 | content | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | section | What the research community gets wrong about Melanotan I | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1 |
| melanotan-1:product-gansulin-metal-peptide-pen | products | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | references product | Gansulin Pen · Reusable Click-Dial, 3 ml (1-60 Units) | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/products/gansulin-metal-peptide-pen |
| melanotan-1:product-gansulin-3ml-cartridge | products | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | references product | Gansulin-Compatible 3 ml Glass Cartridge for Pens (10-Pack) | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/products/gansulin-3ml-cartridge |
| melanotan-1:source-pubchem-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov | source | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | cites | NCBI PubChem CID 16197727: Afamelanotide (C78H111N21O19) - pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/16197727 |
| melanotan-1:source-dailymed-nlm-nih-gov | source | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | cites | SCENESSE (afamelanotide) implant, FDA/DailyMed prescribing label - dailymed.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=94f53286-11dd-7fbb-e053-2a95a90a7c48 |
| melanotan-1:source-pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov | source | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | cites | Kim and Garnock-Jones, Am J Clin Dermatol 2016: Afamelanotide: A Review in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26979527/ |
| melanotan-1:source-pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov | source | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | cites | Langendonk et al., N Engl J Med 2015: Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4780255/ |
| melanotan-1:source-pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov-2 | source | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | cites | Wu and Cotliar, J Drugs Dermatol 2021: Afamelanotide: An Orphan Drug with Potential for Broad Dermatologic Applications - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33683075/ |
| melanotan-1:source-www-uniprot-org | source | Melanotan I: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes | cites | UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot Q01726: Melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor (MC1R, Homo sapiens), UniProt release 2026-03 - www.uniprot.org | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/melanotan-1) | https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/Q01726/entry |

## FAQ

### What is Melanotan I and how does it work?

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic 13-amino acid peptide designed to mimic alpha-MSH. It activates the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on skin cells, triggering eumelanin (dark pigment) production.

### Is Melanotan I detectable in drug testing?

Yes, Melanotan I is listed as prohibited under WADA Section S2 (peptide hormones). It can be detected in urine and blood using LC-MS/MS, a precise chemical identification technique.

### What is the regulatory status of Melanotan I?

The prescription implant form (Scenesse) received formal regulatory authorization from the FDA (October 2019) for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Raw research-grade powder has not received that or any other regulatory authorization, is not a licensed product, and is not intended for administration to people or for cosmetic tanning.

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