What is Afamelanotide?
The short answer
Afamelanotide is a peptide, a short chain of amino acids. In the US, you need a prescription to get Afamelanotide.
- 1 source
- Status as of
- How we source
- Ellum doesn't sell peptides.
Get updates on Afamelanotide
What it is
- Type
- Alpha-MSH analog (peptide implant)
- Also known as
- scenesse, melanotan 1, melanotan i
Regulatory status
FDA-approved (Rx) How we label status
As of October 4, 2026, Afamelanotide is an FDA-approved prescription drug for phototoxic reactions in erythropoietic protoporphyria.
- Federal (FDA)
- Approved Rx (Scenesse NDA210797, 2019)
- 503A compounding
- Approved-drug component (not in any 503A category) (as of May 14, 2026)
References
Sources as of October 4, 2026