Melanotan I is a tanning / melanocortin peptide. Typical research dosing is daily injection (loading) then maintenance, and the body of supporting research is phase 3 / afamelanotide approved.
Melanotan I (MT-1), also known as afamelanotide, is a synthetic analogue of the naturally occurring hormone alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It selectively activates MC1 receptors (melanocortin-1 receptors) on melanocytes in the skin, stimulating production of eumelanin, the dark brown/black pigment responsible for tanning. Browse the full peptide library for related compounds.
Afamelanotide (the pharmaceutical version of Melanotan I) has received regulatory approval in Europe and the USA for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a condition that causes extreme sun sensitivity. This makes MT-1 the only melanocortin peptide with an approved clinical version.
Compared to Melanotan II, MT-1 is considered more selective and safer because it primarily activates MC1 receptors rather than MC3/MC4/MC5 receptors, meaning it produces gradual tanning without the sexual side effects, appetite changes, or spontaneous erections associated with MT-II.
MC1 Receptor Activation: MT-1 binds selectively to melanocortin-1 (MC1) receptors on melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. This activates intracellular signaling that upregulates tyrosinase activity.
Melanin Synthesis: Increased tyrosinase activity accelerates the conversion of tyrosine to DOPA and then to eumelanin, the protective dark pigment. This creates a base tan that provides some UV protection.
Photoprotective Effect: Eumelanin physically absorbs and scatters UV radiation, reducing DNA damage from sun exposure. This is the same mechanism as natural tanning but achieved faster and at lower UV exposure levels.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading | 500mcg–1mg | Daily | 2–3 weeks |
| Maintenance | 500mcg | Every 3–5 days | Ongoing (with UV exposure) |
Always start at the lowest effective dose and titrate up gradually.
Turning a dose in milligrams into units on a syringe is arithmetic, not judgement. The reconstitution calculator does it for any vial size, and the rest of the calculator set covers cost per milligram and route comparison.
Vials at Primara Labs, our partner and supplier, ship from stock already inside the Philippines, so an order has no customs leg. Their catalogue is the shortest route to what is listed locally and at what price, and anything outside it goes through the same WhatsApp thread. View the Primara Labs catalogue
Mild flushing and nausea as body adjusts. Minimal visible tanning yet. Start at lower dose (500mcg) to assess tolerance.
Noticeable tan developing, particularly with some UV exposure (10–20 min sun or light tanning bed). Skin tone deepens gradually.
Full tan established. Transition to maintenance doses every 3–5 days to maintain color. Many users use seasonal loading cycles.
Our partner and supplier
Primara Labs, our partner and supplier, ships from inventory already inside the Philippines, so there is no customs leg: vials are batch-numbered, Metro Manila orders dispatch same day, the rest of the country lands in one to three business days, and every order gets 10% off. The current list sits on one page, and anything you cannot see on it goes through the same WhatsApp thread.
View the Primara Labs catalogueThe supply index covers what to ask a seller before paying, and why quoted prices vary so widely.
Risk · Disclosure · Editorial Status
This page is editorial information for adults researching peptide therapy. It is not medical advice, not a prescription, and not an endorsement of any specific product, supplier, or protocol. Side effects can be serious and individual response varies. Talk to a licensed physician (ideally one with peptide-specific clinical experience) before starting any compound, adjusting a dose, or discontinuing therapy.
In the Philippines, GLP-1 medications are prescription-only under FDA Philippines regulation. Research-grade peptides occupy a regulatory gray area: import for personal research use is generally tolerated, but the Bureau of Customs reserves the right to inspect and detain shipments. Do not import for resale.
Editorial Status
Independent · Non-clinical
Affiliation
Not a clinic · Not a pharmacy
Last Updated
August 27, 2026
