Source comparison
Melanotan-1 vs Melanotan-2: Side Effect Profile Comparison
Primary Receptor Target MC1R (selective) MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R (non-selective) Melanotan-1's selectivity eliminates 80% of adverse events associated with Melanotan-2 Onset to Visible Tanning 10–14 injections (14–21 days) 5–7 injections (7–10 days) Melanotan-2
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- Primary Receptor Target
- MC1R (selective)
- MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R (non-selective)
- Melanotan-1's selectivity eliminates 80% of adverse events associated with Melanotan-2
- Onset to Visible Tanning
- 10–14 injections (14–21 days)
- 5–7 injections (7–10 days)
- Melanotan-2 is faster but requires higher tolerance for systemic effects
- Sexual Side Effects
- Rare (<5% of users)
- Common (60–75% report spontaneous arousal)
- MC4R binding in hypothalamic and genital tissue. Not present in Melanotan-1
- Nausea Incidence
- Mild, <10% during loading
- Moderate to severe, 30–50% during loading
- MC4R activation in area postrema. Dose-dependent, resolves with titration
- Cardiovascular Effects
- None documented in Phase 3 trials
- Transient hypertension, flushing (15–25%)
- MC4R increases sympathetic tone; monitor blood pressure during loading
- FDA Regulatory Status
- Approved (Scenesse, 2019)
- Unregulated, grey-market only
- Melanotan-1 completed Phase 3 safety trials; Melanotan-2 has not
- Recommended Use Case
- Long-term pigmentation, photoprotection
- Short-term cosmetic tanning
- Melanotan-1 for sustained use; Melanotan-2 when speed outweighs side effect risk