Melanotan I vs Octreotide
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Melanotan I
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It is FDA-approved as Scenesse for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare genetic disorder causing severe sun sensitivity.
Full details →Octreotide
Octreotide (Sandostatin) is a synthetic somatostatin analog FDA-approved for acromegaly, carcinoid tumors, and VIPomas. It inhibits growth hormone and various GI hormones.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Melanotan I | Octreotide |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Binds to melanocortin 1 receptors (MC1R) on melanocytes, stimulating eumelanin production. This increases skin pigmentation and provides photoprotection without UV exposure. | Binds to somatostatin receptors (primarily SSTR2 and SSTR5) to inhibit GH, glucagon, insulin, and gastric secretions. Reduces blood flow to GI tract and inhibits tumor hormone secretion. |
| Typical Dosage | Clinical: 16mg implant every 2 months. Research protocols for tanning typically use 0.5-1mg daily for loading, then maintenance dosing. | Varies by indication. Acromegaly: 50-100mcg three times daily initially, up to 500mcg TID. LAR (long-acting): 20-30mg IM every 4 weeks. |
| Administration | FDA-approved form is a subcutaneous implant. Research use involves subcutaneous injection. Often combined with minimal UV exposure to enhance results. | Subcutaneous injection for immediate-release (between meals). Intramuscular for LAR depot form. Requires monitoring of gallbladder, glucose, and thyroid. |
| Side Effects | Nausea (especially initially), facial flushing, fatigue, headache, and darkening of existing moles or freckles. | GI effects (diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain), gallstones (up to 25% of long-term users), injection site reactions, and blood glucose changes. |
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