Skin · Dosing referenceMelanotan I dosage
What the human evidence does and does not show, how long studies ran, and the arithmetic for working with vials.
Not approved — research use onlyNone established
- Regulatory status
- Not approved — research use only
- Human amounts
- None established in humans
- Route studied
- —
- Frequency
- Not established
- Half-life
- Not established
- Evidence grade
- Not yet assessed
- Vial sizes on the market
- Not recorded
- Other forms seen
- —
What Melanotan I is
Melanotan I is the research-market name for afamelanotide, a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone; the approved drug form is the SCENESSE implant.
What the human evidence shows
No approved or established human dose
We searched PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov and found no human studies that administered Melanotan I. The research described on its page is from cells or animals, and animal amounts do not translate to people.
How long did human studies run?
No human study durations are recorded for Melanotan I.
Cycle-length evidence for Melanotan IMelanotan I draw calculator
Pick the vial strength and the water added, enter an amount, and see the concentration, the units to draw and how many draws the vial holds. Arithmetic only.
1 · Vial strength
2 · Water added
3 · Amount per draw
4 · Syringe
Your mix
10 mg + 2 mL water = 5 mg/mL
10 units holds 0.5 mg (500 mcg)
Draw toEnter an amount in step 3
U-100 syringe · 100 units = 1 mL
Computed from your inputs. Not a dose or a recommendation.
Compare water volumes for this vialShow
More water = lower concentration = a larger, easier-to-measure draw. Tap a row to use it.
| Water | mg/mL | Draw |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL | 20 | — |
| 1 mL | 10 | — |
| 1.5 mL | 6.667 | — |
| 2 mL | 5 | — |
| 2.5 mL | 4 | — |
| 3 mL | 3.333 | — |
| 5 mL | 2 | — |
Supplies and handling
- Lyophilized vialSealed vial with the freeze-dried cake. Check the label, lot and the certificate of analysis before opening.
- Sterile diluentThe diluent named on the product documentation. Bacteriostatic water contains benzyl alcohol; sterile water does not.
- Graduated syringesSized to the volume being measured. U-100 insulin syringes are graduated in units where 100 units = 1 mL.
- Alcohol prep padsFor wiping vial stoppers before each puncture.
- Nitrile glovesClean gloves for aseptic handling.
- Sharps containerPuncture-resistant container for used needles.
Storage
- Lyophilized (unmixed) vials: typically stored cold and dry, away from light, as the documentation directs. Many are stable longer frozen.
- Reconstituted vials: typically refrigerated (about 2–8 °C), protected from light and not frozen.
- Bacteriostatic water contains benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth in multi-use vials; sterile water has no preservative.
Handling mistakes and troubleshooting
- Added the wrong volume of diluent
- The concentration changes, not the amount of compound in the vial. Recalculate with the volume actually added and relabel the vial.
- Shook the vial and it foamed
- Let it settle in the refrigerator. Foam is a sign of agitation; some peptides aggregate when shaken. Note it on the label.
- The solution is cloudy or has particles
- Do not use it. Cloudiness can indicate incomplete dissolution, contamination or degradation. Record the lot and contact the supplier with the certificate of analysis.
- The powder cake looks melted or shrunken before reconstitution
- This can indicate the vial was exposed to heat or moisture. Record the lot and condition on arrival.
- Liquid sprayed back when the needle was removed
- Pressure built up in the vial. Withdraw a small volume of air while adding diluent to keep pressure neutral.
Melanotan I compared with related compounds
| Compound | Status | Evidence | Human amounts | Half-life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melanotan I | Not approved — research use only | — | None established | — |
| Afamelanotide | FDA-approved | A | FDA label | Approximately 15 hours (apparent, from t |
| Melanotan II | Not approved — research use only | B | None established | — |
| Matrixyl | Not approved — research use only | B | None established | Not located in the sources reviewed. In |
| Argireline | Not approved — research use only | B | None established | Not located in the sources reviewed. Rel |
| GHK-Cu | Not approved — research use only | B | None established | — |
Frequently asked questions
What doses of Melanotan I have been studied in humans?
None that establish an amount. Melanotan I is not approved anywhere and we found no human studies that administered it. Amiravo does not publish community or vendor figures.
Is there an established Melanotan I cycle length?
No. We found no human studies that report treatment duration for Melanotan I.
How much bacteriostatic water should be added to a Melanotan I vial?
There is no compound-specific volume. The diluent volume only sets the concentration: concentration = mass in the vial ÷ volume added (for example, 10 mg in 2 mL gives 5 mg/mL). The calculator on this page shows the arithmetic for any combination.
How many units is a given amount on an insulin syringe?
On a U-100 syringe, 100 units = 1 mL. Units for an amount = amount ÷ (concentration per unit). The calculator converts any amount you enter at the concentration you choose; a unit is a volume mark, not an amount of compound.
Is Melanotan I FDA-approved?
Not approved — research use only.
References
- SCENESSE (afamelanotide) implant, for subcutaneous use. Prescribing information, CLINUVEL Inc. (SPL published May 13, 2026) DailyMed (FDA label). 2026
- Drugs@FDA application record for SCENESSE (afamelanotide), NDA 210797, original approval 8 October 2019 openFDA / Drugs@FDA. 2026
- Scenesse (afamelanotide): EPAR, medicine overview (authorised 22 December 2014 under exceptional circumstances) European Medicines Agency. 2026
- Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria N Engl J Med. 2015
Last reviewed October 23, 2026 by the Amiravo editorial team. Editorial policy · Report an error