Afamelanotide
Also referenced as: Scenesse, Melanotan I, NDP-alpha-MSH
An alpha-MSH analogue used as an approved implant for a rare phototoxicity disorder.
- Evidence grade
- AStrong Clinical Evidence
Strong Clinical Evidence
- Regulatory status
- FDA Approved for Specific Indication
Scenesse is FDA-approved to increase pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria and a history of phototoxic reactions; not for cosmetic tanning.
- Human data
- Yes
Registered clinical trials exist
- Last reviewed
- October 27, 2026
Overview
An alpha-MSH analogue used as an approved implant for a rare phototoxicity disorder.
Scenesse is FDA-approved to increase pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria and a history of phototoxic reactions; not for cosmetic tanning.
Melanotan I is a historical molecular name. Online tanning vials are not approved Scenesse implants and do not inherit their safety evidence.
Why It's Being Studied
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria
- Pigmentation biology
Mechanism of Action
Melanocortin-1 receptor activation increases eumelanin production and affects light tolerance in the approved disease context.
Melanocortin-1 receptor activation increases eumelanin production and affects light tolerance in the approved disease context. Melanotan I is a historical molecular name. Online tanning vials are not approved Scenesse implants and do not inherit their safety evidence.
From molecular target to clinical evidence
Tap each stage to see what happens.
Background: Clinical Peptide Medicines
Clinical peptide medicines include endocrine treatments, antimicrobial drugs, receptor blockers and targeted diagnostic or cancer agents. They do not share one mechanism or one set of indications.
An approval belongs to a specific medicine and indication. A diagnostic tracer, an antibiotic and a hormone are not interchangeable wellness products; read each profile's own mechanism and prescribing source.
Research Areas & Routes Studied
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria
- Pigmentation biology
- Subcutaneous approved implant
Evidence Summary
Controlled human research supports pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, not cosmetic tanning claims.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for Afamelanotide; tap to read it.
- Controlled human research supports pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, not cosmetic tanning claims.
1 cited sources.
- Prescribing label1
Human clinical evidence
- Controlled human research supports pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, not cosmetic tanning claims.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Serious hypersensitivity and darkening of pigmented lesions are concerns; skin surveillance is important.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- Melanotan I is a historical molecular name. Online tanning vials are not approved Scenesse implants and do not inherit their safety evidence.
- Findings apply to the product, route and population studied; they do not establish benefits or safety for unrelated wellness uses or research-vial products.
How to Read This Research
- Is this a single molecule or a family of medicines?
- Is the use diagnostic, therapeutic or investigational?
- Does the quoted outcome match the exact product, formulation and population?
- Use the compound-specific mechanism above; this diagram describes drug development, not a shared biological pathway.
- Historical approval, present availability and off-label use are distinct questions.
- For radiopharmaceuticals and hospital medicines, specialist handling is part of the treatment context.
- Indication
- The condition and population for which a medicine is approved.
- Antagonist
- A compound that blocks activity at a receptor.
- Radiopharmaceutical
- A medicine containing a radioactive isotope for imaging or treatment.
Compare With Other Compounds
| Afamelanotide | Trofinetide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | A — Strong Clinical Evidence | B — Moderate Human Evidence |
| Regulatory status | FDA Approved for Specific Indication | FDA Approved for Specific Indication |
| Human data | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical trials | Registered trials exist | Registered trials exist |
| Research routes | Subcutaneous approved implant | Oral approved medicine |
| Cited sources | 1 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Prescribing label
Afamelanotide — prescribing label