Is Melanotan I legal?
Yes, as a prescription drug: FDA has approved it (Scenesse). A vial sold as a 'research peptide' is not the approved product, and selling it for human use breaks federal drug law. Pharmacies may compound it only when the product is not a copy of the approved drug.
DESCRIBES THE LAW · NOT LEGAL ADVICE · NO DOSING INFORMATION
Federal, compounding and sport status
CHECKED 12 OCT 2026Federal status
Sport-body status
What we couldn’t verify
State rules
NONE FOUNDWe found no state statute, board rule or enforcement action that names Melanotan I. The federal position above applies in all 50 states and DC.
Questions
3 ANSWERSIs Melanotan I legal in the US?
Yes, as a prescription drug: FDA has approved it (Scenesse). A vial sold as a 'research peptide' is not the approved product, and selling it for human use breaks federal drug law. Pharmacies may compound it only when the product is not a copy of the approved drug.
Can a pharmacy compound Melanotan I?
Afamelanotide is the active ingredient of Scenesse, an implant given by a health professional. 503A rules on approved components and 'essentially a copy' apply; we found no FDA statement on compounded afamelanotide.
Is Melanotan I banned in sport?
It is not on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List. Afamelanotide is an approved drug (Scenesse), so S0 does not apply, and melanocortin agonists are not otherwise listed.