Source comparison
Melanotan 1 vs Melanotan 2: Which to Choose
Both compounds stimulate melanin production, but their pharmacological profiles differ significantly. Receptor selectivity MC1R selective MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R (non-selective) Tanning effect Slower, more gradual Faster, more pronounced Libido effect Minimal S
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- Both compounds stimulate melanin production, but their pharmacological profiles differ significantly.
- Receptor selectivity
- MC1R selective
- MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R (non-selective)
- Tanning effect
- Slower, more gradual
- Faster, more pronounced
- Libido effect
- Minimal
- Significant
- Appetite suppression
- Moderate to strong
- Nausea incidence
- Lower
- Very common (80-90%)
- New mole risk
- Higher (activates more melanocyte pathways)
- Regulatory status
- Approved in EU as Scenesse for EPP
- Not approved anywhere
- Half-life
- ~30 minutes
- ~33 minutes
- Cost
- Higher (pharmaceutical product)
- Lower (research chemical)
- Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is sold under the brand name Scenesse and is approved in the European Union for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a condition where sunlight exposure causes severe pain. Because MT-I only targets MC1R, it produces tanning without the sexual side effects, appetite changes, or nausea associated with MT-II.
- Melanotan II is the more popular choice for tanning because it works faster and costs less. The trade-off is a broader side effect profile caused by non-selective receptor activation.
- PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a derivative of MT-II that was specifically modified to target MC4R for sexual dysfunction. It is FDA-approved under the brand name Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women. If your primary interest is the libido-enhancing effects rather than tanning, PT-141 is the targeted, approved option. See the PT-141 profile for details, or our comprehensive peptides for libido guide for a full comparison.