Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 vs Setmelanotide
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (Pal-GHK) is a lipopeptide that stimulates collagen production. It's one of two peptides in the Matrixyl 3000 complex, working synergistically with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7.
Full details →Setmelanotide
Setmelanotide (Imcivree) is an FDA-approved MC4R agonist for chronic weight management in patients with obesity due to specific genetic conditions (POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency).
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 | Setmelanotide |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Mimics the skin's own mechanism for producing collagen by acting as a messenger peptide that signals fibroblasts to produce more collagen and other extracellular matrix components. | Selective agonist of melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) in the hypothalamus, restoring the satiety signaling pathway that is disrupted in certain genetic obesity syndromes. |
| Typical Dosage | Topical: Typically 2-4% in serums, often combined with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as Matrixyl 3000. | Adults: Start 2mg daily, titrate based on tolerability up to 3mg daily. Pediatrics (6+): Weight-based dosing starting at 1mg daily. |
| Administration | Topical application 1-2 times daily. The palmitoyl group enhances skin penetration compared to non-lipidated versions. | Subcutaneous injection once daily. Requires genetic testing to confirm eligible mutations before prescribing. |
| Side Effects | Very well-tolerated. Suitable for most skin types including sensitive skin. | Injection site reactions, skin hyperpigmentation, spontaneous penile erections, depression, and suicidal ideation (boxed warning). GI effects less common than GLP-1s. |
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