Quick Take: Melanotan I

Benefits of Melanotan 1: Clinical Evidence

Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) is a game-changer for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) patients!
This FDA-approved peptide dramatically transforms lives by enabling patients to enjoy sunlight
exposure that was previously unbearable. Clinical trials demonstrate remarkable improvements
in pain-free light exposure, with patients experiencing significantly reduced phototoxic reactions
and enhanced outdoor activity.1 2 3 4

Impressive Quality of Life Gains

Real-world data from 200 EPP patients shows spectacular results: quality of life scores surged
from a dismal 31% before treatment to an impressive 74% after starting afamelanotide—and
stayed elevated throughout the entire observation period! Even more striking, 91% of patients
who began treatment continued using it long-term, proving its clinical effectiveness. Patients
report being able to stay outdoors for substantially longer periods with dramatically reduced
pain.3 5 1

Powerful Tanning Enhancement & UV Protection

Clinical studies reveal Melanotan 1’s potent synergistic action with UV light. Research
participants achieved marked skin darkening with 50% less sun exposure compared to controls,
while maintaining their tans for an impressive 11+ weeks post-treatment. In controlled trials,
subjects receiving Melanotan 1 showed 47% fewer sunburn cells at UV-exposed sites,
demonstrating genuine photoprotective benefits. 6 7

Breakthrough Results for Multiple Conditions

Beyond EPP, clinical research demonstrates promising applications for solar urticaria (where
increased melanization significantly reduces weal formation) and vitiligo (where combination
therapy with phototherapy produces faster and superior repigmentation compared to
phototherapy alone). Studies confirm afamelanotide stimulates anti-inflammatory and anti
oxidative pathways while boosting eumelanin production. 5 8 9

Outstanding Safety Profile

Long-term observational studies spanning up to 8 years with over 1,000 implants administered
show consistently excellent safety outcomes. Adverse effects are minimal—primarily mild nausea
and transient facial flushing—with no pathologic findings at UV-exposed sites. The safety profile
remains positive even in patients over 70 years of age. 7 1 6 3

1. https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article/172/6/1601/6616051
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK602608/
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11906902/
4. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB04931
5. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/afamelanotide
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15262693/
7. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/480676
8. https://pure.eur.nl/files/91071830/debby_wensink_digitale_proefschrift_6463dd30e6c8a.pdf
9. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/1377949
10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11664455/
11. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211266915000055
12. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512433.2021.1879638
13. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2019/210797Orig1s000MultidisciplineR.pdf
14. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11110213/
15. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/afamelanotide
16. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196978105004602
17. https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1241&context=dermatology_articles
18. https://www.chemicalbook.com/article/melanotan-1-mechanisms-of-action-clinical-applications-and-safety.htm
19. https://www.actasdermo.org/en-melanotan-articulo-S1578219012001382
20. https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article-abstract/191/Supplement_1/i83/7698881

MELANOTAN I 10MG – Novaglo