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MT1 Reconstitution Calculator & Guide
Melanotan I / Afamelanotide / MC1 Receptor Agonist
Melanotan I (MT-I) is the historical name for the alpha-MSH analogue now known as afamelanotide. Afamelanotide has an FDA-approved 16 mg implant product, SCENESSE, for increasing pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). That approval does not make online products sold as injectable or tanning 'MT1' equivalent to SCENESSE. This page separates the historical pigmentation research, approved afamelanotide use, and generic educational vial math.
Evidence Snapshot
MT1 research at a glance
Standardized regulatory and evidence context so research compounds, investigational drugs, and approved medications are not treated as if they have the same level of human evidence.
Development / evidence stage
Approved clinical use
Primary mechanism
Alpha-MSH analogue and melanocortin-1 receptor agonist used clinically as afamelanotide.
WADA context
No specific prohibition identifiedHuman intervention evidence
Afamelanotide has randomized clinical evidence and an FDA-approved 16 mg implant product, SCENESSE. Earlier small Melanotan I studies also evaluated pigmentation and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers.
Human biology evidence
Early human Melanotan I studies demonstrated increased pigmentation and eumelanin, while later afamelanotide development established clinically meaningful melanocortin-1 receptor activity in erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Key takeaway
MT1 is unusual among compounds discussed in peptide communities because its established drug form, afamelanotide, is FDA-approved for a specific rare-disease indication. That approval does not transfer to unapproved tanning vials or other online MT1 products.
Evidence labels describe the research base and regulatory context; they are not treatment, dosing, or use recommendations. Review dates describe the last BACToBasics source check for this evidence summary. Anti-doping rules can change and should be verified with the applicable authority.
MT1 Reconstitution Calculator
Enter the vial amount, liquid volume, and amount you want to calculate. BACToBasics will automatically calculate concentration, liquid volume, and U-100 syringe-unit equivalents.
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Calculator values are educational math inputs only. They are not recommended preparation amounts, doses, or use protocols.
MT1 Reconstitution Math
Reconstitution math starts with the amount contained in the vial and the liquid volume used in the calculation. Dividing the vial amount by the liquid volume gives the resulting concentration.
Example vial amount
1 mg
| Liquid Volume | Calculation | Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 1 mg ÷ 1 mL | 1 mg/mL |
| 2 mL | 1 mg ÷ 2 mL | 0.5 mg/mL |
| 3 mL | 1 mg ÷ 3 mL | 0.3333 mg/mL |
This table demonstrates concentration math only. The liquid volumes shown are examples for comparison and are not preparation recommendations.
More Reconstitution Tools
Need to compare different liquid volumes or convert between mg, mcg, mL, and U-100 units? Use the dedicated BACToBasics calculator tools.
What is Melanotan I (MT1)?
Melanotan I is the historical research name for [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH, a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The compound is now generally known by the established drug name afamelanotide. It was designed to produce stronger and longer melanocortin-1 receptor signaling than endogenous alpha-MSH.
Is MT1 the same as afamelanotide?
In the scientific literature, Melanotan I and afamelanotide refer to the same core 13-amino-acid alpha-MSH analogue. The important practical distinction is product and formulation: the FDA-approved afamelanotide product is SCENESSE, a controlled 16 mg subcutaneous implant administered by a trained healthcare professional. An online vial labeled 'MT1' should not be assumed to be equivalent to that approved product.
What is SCENESSE approved for?
SCENESSE is FDA-approved to increase pain-free light exposure in adults with a history of phototoxic reactions from erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). It is not FDA-approved as a cosmetic tanning product. The approved dosage form is an implant rather than a reconstituted vial.
What did early human MT1 research show?
Small human studies in the 1990s and early 2000s showed that subcutaneous Melanotan I could increase skin pigmentation and eumelanin. These studies established melanotropic activity in humans, but they were small early-stage experiments and should not be interpreted as evidence for unapproved consumer tanning protocols or online products.
How does MT1 differ from MT2?
MT1/afamelanotide is a linear alpha-MSH analogue with relatively greater emphasis on MC1 receptor activity and pigmentation biology. Melanotan II is a shorter cyclic melanocortin analogue that activates multiple melanocortin receptors and has also produced central effects such as spontaneous erections in human research. Their structures, receptor profiles, clinical-development histories, and regulatory status are not interchangeable.
Skin monitoring with approved afamelanotide
Current SCENESSE labeling warns that afamelanotide may darken existing nevi and ephelides because of its pharmacologic effect. The label recommends full-body skin examination twice yearly to monitor pre-existing and new pigmented lesions. That monitoring language is specific to the approved product and should not be used to imply that unapproved MT1 products have established safety.
Common adverse effects in the approved label
The SCENESSE prescribing information lists adverse reactions including implant-site reactions, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, skin hyperpigmentation, melanocytic nevus, somnolence, respiratory symptoms, and skin irritation. Serious hypersensitivity reactions have also been reported, and the label includes related precautions.
Approved afamelanotide vs online MT1 products
FDA approval applies to the regulated SCENESSE implant, its manufacturing controls, labeled indication, formulation, and administration process. It does not extend to research-market or cosmetic products sold online as 'Melanotan I' or 'MT1.' Identity, purity, concentration, sterility, and clinical equivalence should not be inferred from the name alone.
MT1 reconstitution math on BACToBasics
The calculator on this page is generic labeled-vial math only. It can divide a user-entered amount by a user-entered liquid volume and convert the resulting concentration into mL or U-100 syringe units. It does not describe preparation of SCENESSE, which is an implant, and it does not provide an MT1 dosing or tanning protocol.
Explore more about MT1
6 linksComparisons, research records, development tracking, blends, and related guides are available here when you want to go deeper.
Explore more about MT1
6 linksComparisons, research records, development tracking, blends, and related guides are available here when you want to go deeper.
Compare MT1
Direct comparison pages are selected from the indexable BACToBasics comparison catalog and update automatically as that catalog grows.
Related peptide guides
Related guides are ranked from shared comparison pages, shared blend pages, and peptide category rather than a hand-maintained link list.
Relevant glossary concepts
Definitions are matched against the guide's structured title, subtitle, description, and educational sections.
FDA-Approved
A status indicating that the FDA has approved a specific drug product for one or more labeled uses after reviewing the required evidence and manufacturing information.
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GlossaryMilliliter (mL)
A metric unit of liquid volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter.
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GlossaryU-100 Syringe Units
Volume markings on a U-100 insulin syringe where 100 units correspond to 1 mL of liquid.
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MT1 FAQ
Tap a question to expand only the answer you want to read.
Is MT1 FDA-approved?
Afamelanotide, historically called Melanotan I, has an FDA-approved product called SCENESSE for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria. That approval is for a 16 mg implant and does not make online injectable or tanning products labeled MT1 FDA-approved.
Is Melanotan I the same as afamelanotide?
Yes in the scientific naming sense: Melanotan I is the historical name for the alpha-MSH analogue now known as afamelanotide. Product formulation and regulatory status still matter greatly.
Is MT1 the same as MT2?
No. They are different melanocortin analogues with different structures, receptor profiles, clinical histories, and regulatory status.
Is SCENESSE a tanning drug?
No. SCENESSE is FDA-approved for increasing pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, not for cosmetic tanning.
Did Melanotan I increase tanning in human studies?
Yes. Small early human studies reported increased pigmentation and eumelanin after Melanotan I exposure. Those studies do not establish the safety or quality of modern unapproved online products.
Can afamelanotide darken moles or freckles?
Yes. Current SCENESSE labeling notes darkening of existing nevi and ephelides and recommends periodic full-body skin examinations.
Can the BACToBasics calculator be used for MT1 math?
It can perform generic concentration, mL, and U-100 syringe-unit math from user-entered labeled values. It is not a preparation guide for the FDA-approved SCENESSE implant and does not recommend a dose or use protocol.
Sources & References
4 sourcesOpen the references when you want to inspect the research and regulatory sources behind this guide.
Sources & References
4 sourcesOpen the references when you want to inspect the research and regulatory sources behind this guide.
Current FDA labeling for the 16 mg afamelanotide implant, including the EPP indication, skin-monitoring warning, hypersensitivity warning, and adverse reactions.
FDA record showing SCENESSE marketing approval in 2019 for erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Small human pharmacokinetic study reporting subcutaneous bioavailability and increased tanning after Melanotan I. PMID: 9113347.
Human pigmentation study reporting increased tanning and eumelanin after [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH / Melanotan I. PMID: 11045725.
BACToBasics provides educational information and math tools only. This content is not medical advice, dosing advice, injection instruction, or a recommendation to use any peptide or medication.