Is Melanotan I legal in Maryland?
status · caveats apply
FDA-approved as Scenesse (NDA 210797, Oct 8 2019) for EPP; lyophilized 'Melanotan I' from retail vendors is unapproved diversion of an approved drug. No state-level peptide restrictions beyond federal law in Maryland.
category: approved drug diversion · last verified May 13, 2026
§ 01
Quick answer
FDA-approved as Scenesse (NDA 210797, Oct 8 2019) for EPP; lyophilized 'Melanotan I' from retail vendors is unapproved diversion of an approved drug. No state-level peptide restrictions beyond federal law in Maryland.
§ 02
Full status breakdown
Federal status
FDA approval
approved as drug · brand: Scenesse · NDA 210797 · approved Oct 8, 2019
Indications: Increase pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)
DEA scheduling
not scheduled
503A compounding
Bulks list: not on list
Do-not-compound list: not on list
Not a §503A candidate as the approved Scenesse is a 16 mg subcutaneous implant administered every 2 months by HCP. Non-implant bulk forms of 'melanotan I' from retail vendors are diversion of a different formulation.
FDA Warning Letters
none on record for this compound
Shortage status
not currently on shortage list
Sale framing
Research-use-only posture: Critical cross-reference: Afamelanotide = Melanotan I = Scenesse. Vendors selling lyophilized 'Melanotan I' powder for SC injection are selling the same molecule as Scenesse, just a different dose form. This is FDCA §505 unapproved drug + §301 misbranding + potential §304 anti-counterfeiting.
Personal possession: Not federally criminalized.
Maryland — state-specific
Sport-body status
WADA 2026
USADA
unknown
NCAA
unknown
What we couldn’t verify
§ 03
Also known as
Melanotan I is also marketed or referenced under the following names (vendor pseudonyms, brand names, chemical identifiers):
AfamelanotideScenesseMT-1Melanotan-ICUV1647NDA 210797
§ 04
Disclaimer
§ 05
Related
- Back to peptide legality lookup — pick a different compound or state
- Peptide pricing index — what each compound costs per mg across audited vendors
- Janoshik COA verifier — a separate question from legality: does the COA the vendor cites actually exist?
the roundup · monthly
Receipts in your inbox. Once a month.
New audits, expired coupons pruned, lab notes from vials still on the bench. No marketing. No lifestyle copy. Unsubscribe in one click.
14,200 subscribers· 0 sponsored items· 11 issues since launch