Liraglutide vs Melanotan 1
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
GLP-1 / Weight Loss AgonistsFat Loss & Metabolic
LiraglutideSkin & CosmeticSexual Health & Libido
Melanotan 1- Summary
- Liraglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and chronic weight management (Saxenda). It reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, improves insulin secretion, and promotes weight loss of 5–10% in clinical trials.
- Melanotan 1 (Afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of α-MSH that selectively stimulates melanogenesis (tanning) through MC1R activation. It provides UV-independent skin pigmentation and is FDA/EMA-approved under the name SCENESSE for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and vitiligo.
- Half-Life
- ~13 hours (once-daily dosing)
- ~40–60 minutes (free peptide); implant formulation (SCENESSE) releases over months
- Admin Route
- SubQ
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- Start 0.6 mg, titrate to 3 mg
- 0.5–1 mg
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Daily until desired color achieved, then maintenance
- Key Benefits
- Promotes weight loss (5–10% average)
- Reduces appetite and caloric intake
- Improves blood glucose control (HbA1c reduction)
- Reduces cardiovascular events in T2DM (LEADER trial)
- Slows gastric emptying
- FDA-approved for T2DM and chronic weight management
- Cardioprotective effects shown in clinical trials
- May improve fatty liver (NAFLD/NASH)
- Induces skin pigmentation/tanning without UV exposure
- Provides photoprotection in photosensitivity conditions (EPP)
- FDA-approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria (SCENESSE)
- Approved in EU for EPP treatment
- Anti-inflammatory via MC1R
- Mild libido enhancement
- Potential skin cancer prevention through melanin protection
- Side Effects
- Nausea (very common, especially initially)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Decreased appetite
- +5 more
- Nausea (especially at higher doses)
- Facial flushing
- Fatigue
- Injection site reactions
- +3 more
- Stacks With
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