PubMed
Des(1-3)IGF-I: a truncated form of insulin-like growth factor-I
Ballard FJ, Wallace JC, Francis GL, et al. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 1996
Compare
IGF-1 DES vs Melanotan II
Side-by-side observational reports from PeptIQ users. This compares self-reported patterns — not clinical head-to-head trials.
Last reviewed . By the PeptIQ team.
Observational reporting only — not medical advice. Does not recommend doses, protocols, or treatments.
IGF-1 DES
2337 community reports
Overall experience
From check-in ratings — separate from side effects logged below. Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Favorable 51% · Mixed 32% · Unfavorable overall 17%
Most reported benefits
Benefits users selected when logging a favorable or mixed check-in.
Skin appearance
48
Appetite control
39
Energy
127
Mood
93
Focus
112
Most logged side effects
Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Headache
144
GI discomfort
118
Dizziness
92
Fatigue
89
Nausea
111
Self-reported dose per injection
Median bucket: 0.4–0.6 mg · Most common: 0.2–0.4 mg
Reports span 0.05–2 mg
0.05–0.1 mg
7
0.1–0.2 mg
15
0.2–0.4 mg
18
0.4–0.6 mg
14
0.6–1 mg
8
1–2 mg
2
Anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users — not prescribing guidance. Buckets group similar logged amounts; open-ended top buckets mean “at least” that dose.
Commonly stacked with
Common discussion topics
timing21stacking19side effects17igf-1 des20
How repeat users are trending
Among repeat reporters, 61% said they felt similar to their last entry, 43% more positive, and 21% more negative.
Overall, repeat reporters leaned more positive than their previous entry.
Median gap between entries: 23 days · Based on 514 repeat reporters
Melanotan II
46 community reports
Overall experience
From check-in ratings — separate from side effects logged below. Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Favorable 97% · Mixed 3% · Unfavorable overall 0%
Most reported benefits
Benefits users selected when logging a favorable or mixed check-in.
Libido
142
Mood
141
Appetite
73
Most logged side effects
Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Fatigue
2
Nausea
2
Self-reported dose per injection
Median bucket: 0.4–0.6 mg · Most common: 0.2–0.4 mg
Reports span 0.01–2 mg
0.01–0.025 mg
1
0.05–0.1 mg
1
0.1–0.2 mg
7
0.2–0.4 mg
49
0.4–0.6 mg
23
0.6–1 mg
33
1–2 mg
28
Anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users — not prescribing guidance. Buckets group similar logged amounts; open-ended top buckets mean “at least” that dose.
Commonly stacked with
How repeat users are trending
Among repeat reporters, 94% said they felt similar to their last entry, 6% more positive, and 0% more negative.
Overall, repeat reporters leaned more positive than their previous entry.
Median gap between entries: 50 days · Based on 32 repeat reporters
Sources (9)
Published sources linked on the IGF-1 DES and Melanotan II wiki pages.
- Wiki study page →Source
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
Enhanced potency of truncated insulin-like growth factor-I (des(1-3)IGF-I) relative to IGF-I in lit/lit mice
Gillespie C, Read LC, Bagley CJ, et al. J Endocrinol. 1990
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
In vivo actions of IGF analogues with poor affinities for IGFBPs: metabolic and growth effects in pigs of different ages and GH responsiveness
Walton PE, Dunshea FR, Ballard FJ. Prog Growth Factor Res. 1995
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
IGF-I variants which bind poorly to IGF-binding proteins show more potent and prolonged hypoglycaemic action than native IGF-I in pigs and marmoset monkeys
Tomas FM, Walton PE, Dunshea FR, et al. J Endocrinol. 1997
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
Insulin-like growth factor-I and its N-terminal modified analogues induce marked gut growth in dexamethasone-treated rats
Read LC, Tomas FM, Howarth GS, et al. J Endocrinol. 1992
- Wiki study page →Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
des(1-3)IGF-1 / IGF-1 DES studies on ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov. Clinical trial registry. 2024
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
Melanotan II and its molecular mechanisms
Dorr RT, Dawson BV, Hadley ME, et al. Life Sci. 2009
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
LC-HRMS characterization of the skin pigmentation and sexual enhancers melanotan II and bremelanotide sold on the black market of performance and image enhancing drugs
Mestria S, Odoardi S, Frison G, et al. Drug testing and analysis. 2021
- Wiki study page →Source
PubMed
Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis
Nelson ME, Bryant SM, Aks SE. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2012