Melanotan II

Skin & Hair

aka Melanotan-2 · MT-II · MT2

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Formula

MW (Da)

Half-life

~30–60 min

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Overview

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It has never obtained mainstream regulatory approval and appears in official warnings as an unlicensed or unapproved product. Dosing, purity, sterility, and composition of gray-market products are usually not standardized.

Mechanism

Melanotan II is a nonselective melanocortin agonist at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. Reviews describe nanomolar affinity at human MC1R, MC3R, and MC4R, with roughly 5- to 7-fold higher affinity for MC4R than MC3R in one mechanistic summary. MC1R activation drives increased melanogenesis (the visible "tan"), while central MC4R and probably MC3R signaling explain the erectile and appetite-related effects. Unlike afamelanotide (Melanotan 1), Melanotan II is not selective for MC1R.

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Reported benefits

Tanning response in early-phase human work

In an early phase I study, only five low SC doses every other day produced visible tanning responses, and the authors recommended 0.025 mg/kg/day as the single dose for future phase I work.

[mt2-pubmed-phase1]

clinical

Increased erectile response in small psychogenic-ED studies

Small human studies in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction reported increased erectile responses and higher sexual desire versus placebo. Evidence is small-scale and never translated into an approved therapy.

[mt2-pubmed-phase1]

clinical

Reported side effects

Nausea, yawning/stretching, spontaneous erections, priapism risk
clinical
Trial literature is consistent: mild nausea was common and stretching/yawning correlated with spontaneous erections. In a sexual-function study, severe nausea occurred in 12.9% of subjects at 0.025 mg/kg. Priapism (painful prolonged erection) is a recognized risk.
Mole darkening and melanoma case associations
anecdotal
Case reports and reviews add concern for mole darkening and melanoma case associations when combined with UV exposure. Rhabdomyolysis with renal dysfunction and renal infarction have also been described.
Unregulated supply, FDA warning, contamination risk
anecdotal
The product is unlicensed; the FDA has issued explicit consumer warnings. There is no standardized contraindication list, and gray-market vials carry sterility and identity-verification risks beyond the pharmacology itself.

Dosing notes

Human trial dosing was subcutaneous, often beginning with 0.005 mg/kg increments toward 0.025–0.03 mg/kg. There is no authoritative approved dosing schedule and no standardized contraindication list because the drug is not licensed.

Research use only. Information on this page is editorial reference, not medical or dosing advice. Always consult qualified medical guidance before use.

Storage

Unspecified in authoritative regulated labeling — no approved patient product exists. Research-grade peptide handling: lyophilized storage at -20°C or colder, protected from light and moisture; aliquot after reconstitution to avoid repeated freeze-thaw.

Vendors carrying Melanotan II

No approved vendors are listing this peptide yet. Check back later or browse the full vendor directory.

Discussion

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References

[mt2-pubmed-phase1]
Melanotan II early-phase human pharmacology (tanning and sexual function)
Authors per PubMed entry · PubMed
Source
[mt2-mech-review]
Melanocortin receptor pharmacology of Melanotan II (review)
Authors per PMC entry · PubMed Central
Source
[mt2-fda-warning]
FDA warning on unapproved Melanotan II products
U.S. FDA · FDA
Source

Reported benefits

Tanning response in early-phase human work

Increased erectile response in small psychogenic-ED studies

Nausea, yawning/stretching, spontaneous erections, priapism risk

Mole darkening and melanoma case associations

Unregulated supply, FDA warning, contamination risk

Discussion