Catalog2 refs
Melanotan II
Cosmetic & DermalSkin, Hair & AestheticscosmeticIntegumentary / Metabolic / ReproductiveSexual HealthResearch use only
Educational use only. Not medical advice. Verify all information with primary sources and a licensed clinician before use.
Body Map
Skin
Overview
Melanotan II is a synthetic copy of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), nicknamed the tanning peptide because it darkens skin without much sun. It also triggers erections and can blunt appetite, and became the template for the FDA-approved drug bremelanotide (PT-141). It is a non-selective agonist of the melanocortin receptors, hitting MC1, MC3, MC4, and MC5. Not FDA approved; research discontinued due to side effects including melanoma risk and other safety concerns.
Primary Uses
Skin darkening / tanning without UV exposure
Sexual arousal and libido enhancement in both sexes
Spontaneous erections
Appetite suppression and satiety
Skin tanning without UV exposure
Photoprotection / skin cancer prevention
Libido enhancement
Appetite suppression
Tanning and melanocortin signaling
Libido research
Appetite suppression studies
Melanogenesis
UV-Free Tanning
Photoprotection
Even Pigmentation
Enhanced Libido
Erectile Function
Female Sexual Arousal
Fat Loss Support
Skin tanning
Increased libido
Sexual enhancement
Tanning / melanin production
Erectile dysfunction treatment
Increasing libido / sexual arousal
Protocol Reference
Dose
250 mcg
Frequency
Daily for 1 week (loading); 2x weekly (maintenance)
Half-life
~1 Hour
Route
Subcutaneous
Evidence
Mixed Evidence / Phase 2 / Well Studied / Preclinical (disputed)
Research References· 6
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11018622/
PubMedPMID 11018622- [https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melanotan-ii](https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melanotan-ii)
Research Models
HumanMouseRat
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