What is Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide)?
Melanotan 1 reconstitution starts with knowing what the vial holds. Melanotan 1 is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Its international name is afamelanotide. It keeps the natural hormone’s full chain of 13 amino acids as a straight, linear peptide, with two substitutions: norleucine in place of methionine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine in place of L-phenylalanine at position 7. That is why it is also written as [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH or NDP-MSH.
You will see it labeled Melanotan 1, Melanotan I, MT-1 or afamelanotide. This page covers melanotan 1 reconstitution math only: how the water you add sets the concentration and how an amount you already have maps onto a U-100 syringe. It does not describe any use in people.
Melanotan 1 vs Melanotan II: how they differ
Despite the shared name, these are two separate molecules. Melanotan 1 is linear and full-length. Melanotan II is a shorter peptide closed into a ring, which changes how it binds melanocortin receptors. They also differ in regulatory status: afamelanotide exists as an FDA-approved implant, while Melanotan II has no FDA approval in any form.
The reconstitution formula is identical for both, but the name on your label decides which page to use. If your vial says Melanotan II, MT2 or Melanotan 2, switch to the Melanotan II calculator so the notes and chart match the product you have.
How much BAC water for a Melanotan 1 10mg vial?
Research vials of Melanotan 1 are most often labeled 10 mg of freeze-dried powder. The powder amount is fixed; the water volume sets the concentration. The chart below shows micrograms per unit on a U-100 syringe for a 10 mg vial at several water volumes.
| BAC water | 10 mg vial |
|---|---|
| 2 mL | 50 mcg/unit 5 mg/mL |
| 2.5 mL | 40 mcg/unit 4 mg/mL |
| 4 mL | 25 mcg/unit 2.5 mg/mL |
| 5 mL | 20 mcg/unit 2 mg/mL |
Each cell shows mcg per unit on a U-100 syringe (100 units = 1 mL) and the resulting concentration.
Each step up in water lowers the micrograms in every unit. A volume that divides evenly into 10 mg gives round numbers that are easy to re-check later. These volumes are only examples of the arithmetic; the product labeling decides what actually goes into the vial. The BAC water to peptide ratio chart lines up other vial sizes the same way.
Worked example: melanotan 1 10mg reconstitution in syringe units
The melanotan 1 reconstitution calculator above uses three steps. Vial mg ÷ water mL gives the concentration. The amount you enter ÷ that concentration gives the volume in mL. Volume in mL × 100 gives U-100 units. For example, if the amount you already have is 400 mcg, and the vial is 10 mg with 5 mL of water added:
The math: 10 mg ÷ 5 mL = 2 mg/mL (2,000 mcg/mL), which is 20 mcg per unit. 400 mcg ÷ 2,000 mcg/mL = 0.2 mL = 20 units on a U-100 syringe.
The 400 mcg figure is arbitrary and was chosen only because it divides cleanly. Enter your own vial size, water volume and amount to get your own result. If the answer ever looks far too large or too small, compare the mg and mcg selectors first, since 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. The guide to checking peptide calculator math shows how to confirm each step by hand.
Melanotan 1 reconstitution notes from suppliers
Product labeling controls the diluent, the volume and the storage conditions for any Melanotan 1 vial. Some suppliers specify bacteriostatic water; others list sterile water. Some suppliers specify letting the liquid run down the inside wall of the vial and swirling gently until the powder dissolves, rather than shaking. How long a mixed vial is kept, and at what temperature, varies by product, so follow the label and a qualified professional.
- Label the vial with the water volume and the mixing date.
- Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which slows some bacterial growth but does not sterilize.
- An opened multi-dose vial is commonly dated and discarded within 28 days unless the manufacturer specifies a different date.
For how storage dates work once a vial of BAC water is opened, see bacteriostatic water storage and shelf life.
Afamelanotide implant vs research Melanotan 1 vials
Afamelanotide is the active ingredient in Scenesse, a solid implant the FDA approved in 2019. It is a finished product placed by a health care professional, not a powder that anyone reconstitutes, and this calculator does not apply to it. Powder vials labeled Melanotan 1 for research use are not Scenesse. They carry no approved labeling, and their identity, purity and sterility depend on the supplier.
A correct calculation cannot confirm what is in a vial. It only shows how the label amount, the water you added and the syringe marks relate. Other research compounds are listed in the peptide library.
Melanotan 1 FAQ
Is Melanotan 1 the same as afamelanotide?
Yes. Afamelanotide is the international name for the peptide known as Melanotan 1 or MT-1. The approved afamelanotide product is an implant, while research vials are freeze-dried powder.
How is Melanotan 1 different from Melanotan II?
Melanotan 1 is a linear 13-amino-acid peptide close to the natural hormone. Melanotan II is a shorter cyclic peptide. They are different compounds, so use the page that matches your label.
How much BAC water goes in a Melanotan 1 10mg vial?
There is no single correct amount. The water volume only changes the concentration. The chart on this page shows the result for several volumes; the product labeling decides the diluent and volume.
Does this calculator work for the Scenesse implant?
No. Scenesse is a solid implant that is not reconstituted. The calculator applies only to powder vials mixed with a measured volume of liquid.
Is this a Melanotan 1 dosage calculator?
It converts an amount you already have into mL and U-100 syringe units. It does not recommend or check any dose, schedule or frequency.