Research-context information only. Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide) is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved product for erythropoietic protoporphyria; research-peptide and compounded forms are not FDA-approved and are sold for research purposes only. Protocols, doses, and reactions reported below come from clinical trials and self-reported community sources. This article reports what has been documented, not what should be done. Consult a licensed physician for personal medical decisions.
The buying problem is straightforward: melanotan-1 is structurally distinct from melanotan-2 (different molecular weight, different receptor profile), and vendors sometimes mislabel one as the other due to the related α-MSH parentage. COA verification at 1,646 Da is what distinguishes them.
This guide covers documented per-mg pricing, how to read an MT-1 COA, vial size selection, and red flags. For dosing context, see the melanotan-1 dosing guide.
Melanotan-1 ships as a lyophilized powder in sealed glass vials. Three factors drive price: vial size, vendor markup, and whether the COA confirms 98%+ HPLC purity at 1,646 Da on mass spec.
Ion Peptide $29.75 · Mile High Compounds $35.99 · EZ Peptides $39.60
Prices are single vials through our links, with each vendor's standing code or link discount applied.
The pattern: 10mg vials are the most-cited size and are reconstituted in portions on the low-dose protocol. 5mg vials, where sold, carry higher per-mg cost but leave less waste per 28-day window; 20mg vials and 5-vial kits are described as multi-cycle stock.
Cost Per Month on the Low-Dose Protocol
On the community-reported low-dose protocol, so little mass is used that cost is governed by the ~28-day stability window — a fresh vial is started roughly monthly regardless of dose, so smaller vials or staged reconstitution minimize waste rather than mass driving spend. The cost column uses Ascension Peptides' 10mg vial at today's price with its code.
Single-vial option: 15% off with code thepeptidecatalog puts Ion Peptide's 10mg melanotan-1 vial at $29.75 ($2.98/mg) today. Get the code →
How to Verify Melanotan-1 Quality
Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide) is a 13-amino-acid α-MSH analog (Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2). Two structural features distinguish MT-1 from related melanocortins:
Linear, not cyclic — unlike MT-2 which is cyclized
D-Phe7 substitution — the chiral D-amino acid is critical for receptor affinity and metabolic stability
What a COA Should Include
Identity Confirmation
Mass spectrometry confirming 1,646 Da for melanotan-1
Sequence verification — 13-residue linear sequence with D-Phe at position 7
C-terminal amidation confirmed
Purity Testing
HPLC purity at 98%+
Single dominant peak; secondary peaks indicate degradation or D-Phe racemization
Melanotan-1 reconstituted with bacteriostatic water and refrigerated is documented stable for roughly 28 days in published peptide-stability data. With sterile water (no preservative), the window collapses to ~24 hours.
On the community-reported low-dose protocol (~50mcg/day loading, then 250mcg 1-2×/week), only about 1-2mg of mass is used in any 28-day window — so every common vial holds far more than the window allows, and the window, not the dose, is always the limiter:
Vial Size
Mass used per 28-day window
Fraction of vial used
5mg
~1-2 mg
~20-40%
10mg
~1-2 mg
~10-20%
20mg
~1-2 mg
~5-10%
Practical implication: because so little is used per 28-day window, a 5mg vial — or staged reconstitution of a larger vial — minimizes waste. Community-documented practice reconstitutes only what a ~4-week window will use, then starts fresh regardless of remaining powder.
Vial Size by Protocol
Tolerance testing context:
A 5mg vial is the smallest unit cited for tolerance testing
10-20 days at standard doses
Low-dose loading protocol (~50mcg/day for ~7 days):
A single 5-10mg vial covers loading plus weeks of maintenance
The ~0.35mg of loading mass is a small fraction of any vial — documented practice reconstitutes only a portion
10mg remains the most-cited size in vendor sales data
Maintenance (250mcg 1-2×/week):
5mg vial or 10mg with staged reconstitution — only ~1-2mg is used per 28-day window
A fresh vial is started roughly monthly because of the stability window, not because mass runs out
Buying Multiple Smaller vs Kit
The price row uses Ascension Peptides' 10mg vial today with its code, bought singly and at its 5-vial quantity price.
Factor
Multiple 10mg Singles
Kit (5× 10mg)
Cost per 10mg vial
$25.00
$23.75 per vial
Freshness
Same (lyophilized storage)
Same
Flexibility
Can stop mid-supply
Committed to full kit
Storage
Easier (smaller volumes)
Requires fridge space
Shipping
More frequent orders
Single shipment
Why MT-1 Is the Conservative Melanotan Choice
A common question: why does the community split between MT-1 and MT-2?
MT-1 (afamelanotide):
Selective for MC1R (melanin production receptor)
13-residue linear peptide
FDA-approved for EPP
Side effects in EPP trials: typically headache, fatigue, nausea — generally mild; a long-term observational study of 115 EPP patients on 16mg implants (up to 8 years) recorded only minor adverse events, predominantly nausea (Biolcati et al. 2015)
More expensive per dose, more conservative tanning
Side effects: nausea, flushing, libido effects (MC4R activation), potential melanoma concerns with new moles
Cheaper per dose, faster/darker tanning
For tanning users prioritizing safety profile and tolerability, MT-1 is the more documented option despite higher per-mg cost. For users prioritizing speed of pigmentation onset, MT-2 is the more aggressive choice — at the cost of broader side-effect profile.
Vendor Evaluation Methodology
When comparing MT-1 vendors:
Price Competitiveness (40%)
Normalize to cost per milligram. 10mg at $60 ($6/mg) scores higher than 5mg at $40 ($8/mg).
COA & Testing (30%)
Third-party labs (Janoshik, MZ Biolabs, Colmaric)
Recent (within 6 months)
Verifiable task number
Mass spec confirming 1,646 Da
Reputation (30%)
Community feedback, shipping reliability, customer service, multi-year track record.
Shipping and Storage
Order Arrival
Lyophilized melanotan-1 typically arrives as a white or off-white powder cake:
Vial integrity — no cracks, intact rubber seal, aluminum cap secure
Powder appearance — solid cake or loose powder, NOT liquid or discolored
Labeling — batch/lot, mg content, "for research use only"
Cold pack — most reputable vendors include cold packs in summer
Storage Guidelines
State
Temperature
Duration
Lyophilized (powder)
Room temp
Days only (shipping)
Lyophilized (powder)
Refrigerated (2-8°C)
12+ months
Lyophilized (powder)
Frozen (-20°C)
24+ months
Reconstituted (BAC water)
Refrigerated (2-8°C)
~28 days
Reconstituted (sterile water)
Refrigerated (2-8°C)
~24 hours
Reconstituted
Frozen
Not generally recommended
Where to Buy
1
Nura Peptide
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Most cloudy reconstitutions trace back to one thing — and it isn't the peptide. Sterile, non-pyrogenic, 0.9% benzyl alcohol — formulated for peptide reconstitution, not repackaged from generic stock.
✓ 0.9% benzyl alcohol✓ Made for peptides✓ 30 mL multi-dose
Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide) is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved product for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Research-grade melanotan-1 is sold by peptide vendors for laboratory use only, labeled 'not for human consumption.' Legal status for purchasing research peptides varies by jurisdiction.
How much does melanotan-1 cost per month?
Community protocols now run a low-dose ramp — roughly 50mcg (1 unit) daily for about a week, then 250mcg once or twice weekly — so monthly mass is only about 1-2mg. That is far less than a 10mg vial holds, so cost is set by the ~28-day stability window (about one vial per month) rather than by dose; smaller 5mg vials cut waste. Live per-vial prices are on the Best Melanotan-1 Vendors page.
What's the difference between melanotan-1 and melanotan-2?
MT-1 (afamelanotide) is a 13-residue α-MSH analog at the MC1R receptor — selective for melanin production with relatively few side effects reported in EPP implant studies. MT-2 is a smaller cyclic peptide hitting MC1, MC3, MC4, MC5 — broader receptor activation produces darker tanning but also nausea, libido effects, and potential risks. MT-1 is more conservative and has FDA approval; MT-2 has neither.
What vial size should I buy?
At the new low-dose protocol (about 1-2mg of mass per month), a 10mg vial holds far more than the 28-day stability window allows, so 5mg vials or staged reconstitution reduce waste. 10mg remains the most-cited size and is fine if reconstituted in portions.
What purity should I look for in melanotan-1?
Third-party HPLC at 98%+ purity, plus mass spec confirming 1,646 Da. Melanotan-1 is a 13-residue peptide with N-terminal acetylation. Make sure the COA verifies the linear (not cyclic) structure — MT-2 is cyclic at ~1,024 Da, structurally different despite related receptor pharmacology.
Can I get melanotan-1 from a pharmacy?
Afamelanotide is FDA-approved only for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare photosensitivity disorder. It is administered as a 16mg subcutaneous implant, not an injectable vial. Pharmacy access is restricted to specialty distribution for EPP indications. Research vendors are the documented option for research-context buyers.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any peptide.
