Setmelanotide vs Leuphasyl
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
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 →Leuphasyl
Leuphasyl (Pentapeptide-18) is a cosmetic peptide that reduces muscle tension through a mechanism similar to enkephalins. Often combined with Syn-Ake for enhanced anti-wrinkle effects.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Setmelanotide | Leuphasyl |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Selective agonist of melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) in the hypothalamus, restoring the satiety signaling pathway that is disrupted in certain genetic obesity syndromes. | Mimics enkephalin and binds to enkephalin receptors on muscle cells, reducing acetylcholine release and thereby decreasing muscle contraction intensity. |
| Typical Dosage | Adults: Start 2mg daily, titrate based on tolerability up to 3mg daily. Pediatrics (6+): Weight-based dosing starting at 1mg daily. | Topical: 3-8% concentration in serums. Often used in combination products with other muscle-relaxing peptides. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection once daily. Requires genetic testing to confirm eligible mutations before prescribing. | Topical application to expression lines. Best results with consistent twice-daily use over 8+ weeks. |
| Side Effects | Injection site reactions, skin hyperpigmentation, spontaneous penile erections, depression, and suicidal ideation (boxed warning). GI effects less common than GLP-1s. | Very well-tolerated topically. No significant adverse effects reported at cosmetic concentrations. |
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