Melanotan I (MT-1) protocol

Standard

Loading (Weeks 1–4)

5u

250 mcg · 2×/week SubQ

Loading cadence, 500 mcg/week total. Pair with daily 15–30 min UV exposure to build baseline melanin. Slower-acting than MT-2; expect visible tan over 3–4 weeks.

Maintenance (Weeks 5+)

5u

250 mcg · 1×/week SubQ

Maintenance cadence, 250 mcg/week total (half the loading rate). Sustains pigmentation with continued UV exposure. PeptideCatalog / PeptideDeck / RealPeptides standard.

Off

With UV cycle

As desired. MT-1 has a cleaner side-effect profile than MT-2 (no nausea, libido changes, or appetite suppression).

Phase	How often	Dose	Units	Notes
Loading (Weeks 1–4)	2×/week SubQ	250 mcg	5u	Loading cadence, 500 mcg/week total. Pair with daily 15–30 min UV exposure to build baseline melanin. Slower-acting than MT-2; expect visible tan over 3–4 weeks.
Maintenance (Weeks 5+)	1×/week SubQ	250 mcg	5u	Maintenance cadence, 250 mcg/week total (half the loading rate). Sustains pigmentation with continued UV exposure. PeptideCatalog / PeptideDeck / RealPeptides standard.
Off	With UV cycle	–	–	As desired. MT-1 has a cleaner side-effect profile than MT-2 (no nausea, libido changes, or appetite suppression).

Cycle & timing

Cycle: 4 weeks loading + ongoing maintenance with seasonal UV. Cleanest results with consistent UV exposure during the loading phase.

Timing: 2×/week during loading (weeks 1–4), then 1×/week maintenance (per the protocol table).

Where: SubQ abdomen or outer thigh.

What to expect

Tan builds over 2–4 wks (melanin up within days); less nausea than MT-2. Baseline skin check first.

How much to buy

For 5-wk @ 250 mcg × 2/wk:

1

× 10mg vials

Men & women

Melanocortin effects hit both sexes: skin and mole darkening (melanoma monitoring), nausea, appetite drop. Same MC1R pathway in men and women.

Dilution calculator

Set to the guide's typical mix for Melanotan I (MT-1). Change anything to see where to draw.

Vial size

BAC water added

Dose you want

Draw to

5u

Volume

0.05 mL

Strength

5 mg/mL

Doses per vial

40

Assumes a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL). Double-check against the compound's page before you draw.

Recommended mixes

Vial	Water	Strength
10 mg	2 mL	5 mg/mL

10 mg: 1 unit = 0.05 mg

Storage

PowderFreeze-dried: -4°F.
MixedReconstituted: 36–46°F, use within 4 weeks. Protect from light.

Don't use if: Personal or family history of melanoma · Atypical mole syndrome / dysplastic nevus syndrome · Active skin cancer or pre-malignant skin lesions · Uncontrolled hypertension · Cardiovascular disease (significant) · Pregnancy and lactation

Stop if you notice

New atypical mole or rapid change in existing mole (ABCDE criteria)
Sustained BP elevation above 140/90 in previously normotensive patient
Priapism (sustained erection more than 4 hours): seek emergency care
Severe nausea not resolving with dose reduction

Side effects

Nausea (lower than MT-2), flushing, hyperpigmentation.

Drug interactions

PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil): additive BP effects with PT-141; separate timing per label. Antihypertensives: additive or paradoxical BP effects. Vasoactive drugs in general.

Labs

Dermatology mole mapping (photo-documented) at baseline + ABCDE recheck every 12 weeks on-cycle, then every 6–12 months. Blood pressure log at baseline and before each dose.

What these labs mean →

Warnings

Hyperpigmentation of all melanocytes including existing moles, mole monitoring required. New mole formation. Transient BP elevation (PT-141: mean ~6 mmHg systolic per FDA Vyleesi label). Nausea, especially MT-2 during loading. Priapism risk in men (MT-2 specifically). Spontaneous erections (MT-2). Reduced response and tachyphylaxis with frequent use. More selective for MC1R; less nausea, less libido effect, less BP impact than MT-2; same melanoma surveillance still applies.

Patient education

Use sunscreen during MT-1/MT-2, extra melanin doesn't replace UV protection. Photograph moles at baseline; recheck monthly. ABCDE warning signs: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm, Evolution. MT-2: erections are pharmacologic, >4 hours is a medical emergency. PT-141: do not exceed 1 dose per 24 hours.

These apply on top of the universal safety rules.

Pairs well with

Vitamin D

offsets some pigmentation cofactor demand

Avoid with

Personal or family history of melanoma

Active dysplastic naevi

mole monitoring required

Changes from the guide

The guide contradicted itself or had a slip here, so this page differs from the PDF:

The guide called it both FDA-approved (Scenesse) and "not approved"; afamelanotide is Scenesse, so the status now says approved for that one use. Timing said daily loading; the table says 2×/week, so timing follows the table.

What it does

Evidence: afamelanotide (Scenesse) is FDA-approved for a rare condition where sunlight is painful; other uses are off-label. Reviews flag melanoma/mole risk.

FDA-approved melanocortin agonist (Scenesse), selective MC1R activation increases melanin and provides photoprotection. Selective MC1R agonist driving melanogenesis. More selective than MT-2, minimal MC4R effects.

References

researchdosing peptidedosages DailyMed PubMed ClinicalTrials Drugs.com Dorr 1996

From the guide, page 63.