Melanotan I vs Melanotan II
Melanotan I: Alpha-MSH analog (afamelanotide). Melanotan II: Cyclic alpha-MSH analog. Per milligram, Melanotan II is cheaper right now (USD 0.600 vs USD 0.450 at the cheapest tested vendor). Prices per mg compare cost, not effect: the amounts used in studies differ between compounds.
Melanotan I
A stable version of the hormone that triggers skin tanning, increasing melanin and protecting against light.
- What it is
- Alpha-MSH analog (afamelanotide)
- Category
- Skin, hair & tanning
- Status
- FDA-approved as the Scenesse implant for a rare light-sensitivity disorder (EPP).
- Cheapest
- USD 0.600 per mg (BeiBangAn)
- Median price
- USD 2.50 per mg
- Vendors
- 54 independently tested, 13 with a lab report
- Research
- Grade B: Some human evidence (7 papers)
- Studied as
- an approved drug
- Reported side effects
- Headache; Nausea; Fatigue; Implant-site reactions
Melanotan II
Causes tanning and also raises libido (the basis for PT-141). Associated with nausea, darkened moles and other safety concerns.
- What it is
- Cyclic alpha-MSH analog
- Category
- Skin, hair & tanning
- Status
- Not approved anywhere; regulators warn against its use.
- Cheapest
- USD 0.450 per mg (Huaian Dinglin Trading)
- Median price
- USD 3.00 per mg
- Vendors
- 75 independently tested, 24 with a lab report
- Research
- Grade B: Some human evidence (11 papers)
- Studied as
- studied in people
- Reported side effects
- Nausea; Yawning and stretching; Spontaneous erections; Somnolence and fatigue
Cheapest tested vendors for Melanotan I and Melanotan II
Lowest price per milligram at up to three independently tested vendors each. Rankings are by price only; open a vendor to see its lab results.
| Peptide | Vendor | Per mg |
|---|---|---|
| Melanotan I | BeiBangAn | USD 0.600 |
| LN Peptides | USD 0.600 | |
| Uther | USD 0.600 | |
| Melanotan II | Huaian Dinglin Trading | USD 0.450 |
| Shenzhen Loga Tech LG LOGA | USD 0.450 | |
| BeiBangAn | USD 0.600 |
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Melanotan I and Melanotan II?
Melanotan I: Alpha-MSH analog (afamelanotide). Melanotan II: Cyclic alpha-MSH analog. Per milligram, Melanotan II is cheaper right now (USD 0.600 vs USD 0.450 at the cheapest tested vendor). Prices per mg compare cost, not effect: the amounts used in studies differ between compounds.
Which is cheaper, Melanotan I or Melanotan II?
Melanotan II is cheaper per mg: USD 0.600 for Melanotan I vs USD 0.450 for Melanotan II at the cheapest independently tested vendor. The median listing is USD 2.50 per mg for Melanotan I and USD 3.00 per mg for Melanotan II.
Which is easier to find from a tested vendor, Melanotan I or Melanotan II?
Melanotan II is sold by more independently tested vendors: 54 list Melanotan I (13 publish a lab report for it) and 75 list Melanotan II (24 with a lab report).
Which has more published research, Melanotan I or Melanotan II?
Melanotan I is graded B (some human evidence) from 7 papers and Melanotan II is graded B (some human evidence) from 11 papers. Grades count studies of the exact compound only; they describe how much evidence exists, not which one is better.
Are Melanotan I and Melanotan II FDA approved?
Melanotan I: FDA-approved as the Scenesse implant for a rare light-sensitivity disorder (EPP). Melanotan II: Not approved anywhere; regulators warn against its use.