What are the side effects of MT-1 (Melanotan I)?
The most commonly reported MT-1 (Melanotan I) side effects are nausea (first doses, usually fades), facial flushing, appetite suppression. Most are mild and tend to be dose dependent. It is generally avoided with personal history of melanoma. Human clinical evidence for MT-1 (Melanotan I) is limited, so this reflects reported and observed effects, not a complete safety profile.
Reported MT-1 (Melanotan I) side effects
- Nausea (first doses, usually fades)
- Facial flushing
- Appetite suppression
- Mole / freckle darkening (mole-map first)
- Headache
Who should avoid it
- Personal history of melanoma
- Atypical mole syndrome
- Pregnancy / nursing
References
- Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (Scenesse approval data) — Langendonk JG et al., NEJM, 2015
- Skin pigmentation and pharmacokinetics of melanotan-I in humans — Ugwu SO, Blanchard J, Dorr RT, Levine N, et al.; Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition; 1997
- Afamelanotide: An Orphan Drug with Potential for Broad Dermatologic Applications — Wu J, Cotliar R; Journal of Drugs in Dermatology; 2021
Pepdex is an editorial reference, not medical advice. Peptides vary in legal and approval status by country, many are research compounds without full human safety data. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting anything.
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Last updated 2026-06-06.