What is the difference between Melanotan II and Afamelanotide?

Melanotan II (Melanotan II (MT-II)) is graded C+ and is Not FDA-approved — sold illegally as cosmetic; FDA warning letters issued. Afamelanotide (Afamelanotide (Scenesse)) is graded A and is FDA-approved (2019) for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). They are commonly compared because they share the categories: skin.

Which has stronger clinical evidence — Melanotan II or Afamelanotide?

On our internal evidence scale, Melanotan II is C+ and Afamelanotide is A. A+ indicates large RCTs plus FDA approval; C indicates primarily preclinical or anecdotal evidence.

What is the typical dose of Melanotan II vs Afamelanotide?

Melanotan II: 0.25–1 mg daily during loading, then maintenance (subcutaneous). Afamelanotide: 16 mg subcutaneous implant every 2 months (clinical use). Always work with a licensed clinician — peptide dosing should be individualized.

Melanotan II vs Afamelanotide

Both Melanotan II and Afamelanotide are used for skin. Here's how their evidence, dosing, and regulatory status actually compare.

Melanotan II

Evidence C+

Melanotan II (MT-II)

A non-selective melanocortin agonist (MC1R/MC3R/MC4R) that produces tanning and erection effects. Significant safety concerns including melanoma case reports.

View full Melanotan II profile →

Afamelanotide

Evidence A

Afamelanotide (Scenesse)

An FDA-approved selective MC1R agonist used to increase eumelanin density in erythropoietic protoporphyria patients. Off-label cosmetic tanning use is widespread internationally.

View full Afamelanotide profile →

Side-by-Side

Attribute	Melanotan II	Afamelanotide
Evidence Grade	C+	A
FDA Status	Not FDA-approved — sold illegally as cosmetic; FDA warning letters issued	FDA-approved (2019) for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)
Typical Dose	0.25–1 mg daily during loading, then maintenance (subcutaneous)	16 mg subcutaneous implant every 2 months (clinical use)
Clinics Indexed	18	14
Categories	skin, sexual-health	skin

Key reported benefits — Melanotan II

✓UV-independent tanning
✓Erectile effect (off-label)

Key reported benefits — Afamelanotide

✓MC1R-selective tanning
✓FDA-approved for EPP

Educational use only

This comparison is for educational purposes and not medical advice. Peptide selection should be made with a licensed medical professional based on your individual goals, health history, and current evidence quality.

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