Afamelanotide vs Melanotan II
Both came out of the same University of Arizona research programme, but they are different molecules. Afamelanotide, or melanotan I, is a linear 13-residue α-MSH analogue acting mainly at MC1R. Melanotan II is a shorter cyclic peptide that activates several melanocortin receptors.
Potent α-MSH analogue acting mainly at MC1R
Choose Afamelanotide if
- ✓ You need the approved, MC1R-focused reference
- ✓ Evidence maturity matters for your design
Non-selective cyclic melanocortin agonist
Choose Melanotan II if
- ✓ You want broad melanocortin-receptor activity
- ✓ You are comparing cyclic and linear melanocortin scaffolds
Side-by-side specification
| Compare | Afamelanotide Potent α-MSH analogue acting mainly at MC1R | Melanotan II Non-selective cyclic melanocortin agonist |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Melanocortin receptor agonist | Non-selective melanocortin agonist |
| Research area | Melanocortin | Melanocortin |
| Receptor targets | MC1R (also other melanocortin receptors) | MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R |
| Length | 13 amino acids (linear) | 7 amino acids (cyclic) |
| Molecular mass | ≈ 1.65 kDa | ≈ 1.02 kDa |
| Origin | Synthetic α-MSH analogue | Synthetic alpha-MSH analogue |
| Evidence level | 5/5 Approved drug, phase 3 trials | 2/5 Mostly animal and in vitro |
| Regulatory status | Approved prescription medicine (one rare indication) | Not approved |
| Nordapep from | £33.88 | £33.88 |
| Best price per mg | £3.39/mg | £3.39/mg |
| View Afamelanotide at Nordapep → | View Melanotan II at Nordapep → |
On price per mg at Nordapep, Melanotan II is the lower-cost option at £3.39/mg on its best-value size.
What separates them
Afamelanotide went through formal clinical development and is an approved medicine for one rare condition in the EU and US. Melanotan II has never been approved, and regulators have warned about unlicensed products sold under the melanotan name.
Read the full guides for Afamelanotide and Melanotan II, or add a third compound in the comparison tool.
FAQ
Is melanotan I the same as melanotan II?
No. They have different structures, receptor profiles and regulatory histories.
Which is approved?
Afamelanotide, as a prescription implant for one rare indication. Melanotan II has never been approved.
Which is cheaper per mg, Afamelanotide or Melanotan II?
At Nordapep, Melanotan II works out cheaper at £3.39/mg on its best-value size, against £3.39/mg for Afamelanotide.
Are Afamelanotide and Melanotan II approved medicines?
Afamelanotide: Approved prescription medicine (one rare indication). Melanotan II: Not approved. Research-grade material of either is not a medicine and is supplied for in vitro research only.
Where can I buy Afamelanotide and Melanotan II?
Nordapep lists compounds with a Certificate of Analysis matched to the batch reference. Check each compound page for current availability.
More comparisons
Where to buy
Why we send researchers to Nordapep
Comparing compounds is only half the job. The other half is knowing the vial contains what the label says. Nordapep publishes batch documentation for every compound it sells.
Browse the Nordapep catalogue →Each batch reference on the label matches its CoA, so you can check what is in the vial.
Enter the batch reference from your vial into Nordapep's batch-verification tool.
Purity is reported by RP-HPLC, the standard method for peptides of this size.
Bundled stacks for common comparisons, plus tiered pricing for volume orders.