What is the difference between Alpha-MSH and Melanotan II?

Alpha-MSH: Melanocortin peptide; activates MC1R (pigmentation/anti-inflammatory), MC3R (energy balance), MC4R (appetite); suppresses NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines Melanotan II: Synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist (MC1R-MC5R); activates MC4R for erectile function/libido; MC1R for melanogenesis; MC3R for appetite suppression

Is Alpha-MSH FDA approved?

Alpha-MSH is not evaluated or approved by the FDA. It is discussed for research and educational purposes only, not as medical guidance.

How is Alpha-MSH administered in research settings?

In research settings, Alpha-MSH is typically administered via the subcutaneous or intranasal routes. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

How is Melanotan II administered in research settings?

In research settings, Melanotan II is typically administered via the subcutaneous or intranasal routes. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

Home›Research›Compare›Alpha-MSH vs Melanotan II

Peptide Comparison

Alpha-MSH vs Melanotan II

Name: Alpha-MSH vs Melanotan II — Per-mg Price Comparison
Creator: PeptideBase
License: https://peptidebase.io/terms

Both are Reproductive & Hormonal peptides.

Alpha-MSH

Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

RecoveryNot EvaluatedResearch Only

Half-life: ~3-5 minutes (plasma)

No providers listed yet

Full Alpha-MSH profile →

Melanotan II

MT-II

Sexual HealthResearch Only

Half-life: ~1-2 hours

94 providers listed

Full Melanotan II profile →

Bottom line

Melanotan II carries stronger published evidence (RCT, 2 key studies) than Alpha-MSH (Review, 12); both are research compounds.

Quick Verdict

Alpha-MSH

Half-life

~3-5 minutes (plasma)

Melanotan II

Half-life

~1-2 hours

Which One Should You Choose?

Your goal	Better option
Stronger clinical evidence	Melanotan II
Less frequent dosing (longer half-life)	Melanotan II
More provider options (0 vs 94)	Melanotan II

Research summary only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before making any decisions.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Alpha-MSH

Melanotan II

Mechanism Family

Reproductive & Hormonal

Half-life

~3-5 minutes (plasma)

~1-2 hours

FDA Status

not evaluated

nomination withdrawn

Admin Routes

subcutaneous, intranasal

Availability

Research Only

Providers

None listed

94 listed

Avail. Notes

Endogenous 13-aa neuropeptide. No FDA-approved drug. Bremelanotide (PT-141/Vyleesi) is an approved derivative but a distinct compound. Not on FDA 503A bulks list. Research use only.

Not FDA-approved. Not to be confused with bremelanotide (PT-141/Vyleesi, which is approved). No NDA. Sold illicitly as research chemical. FDA warns against injectable tanning products.

Research Evidence

Alpha-MSH

Review · 12 key studies · most recent 2026

Melanotan II

RCT · 2 key studies · dated evidence base — most recent 2014

Research Citations

Alpha-MSH

Animal2026 · Appl Radiat Isot

Preclinical assessment of (177)Lu-DOTA-Pip-Nle-CycMSH(hex): In vivo evaluation and human dosimetry estimation.

Animal2026 · Sci Rep

Antrodia cinnamomea extract exhibits anti-melanogenic and anti-photoaging effects: potential for cosmetic and…

Animal2026 · Chem Biodivers

Depigmenting Effects of Vitex rotundifolia Cone Essential Oil in Melanocytes and Its Chemical Composition.

Animal2026 · Sci Rep

Hypothalamic orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides in the rotenone model of Parkinson's disease.

+8 more

Melanotan II

RCT2000 · Urology

Effect of an alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone analog on penile erection and sexual desire in men with org…

Review2014 · Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs

Melanocortin receptor agonists in the treatment of male and female sexual dysfunctions: results from basic re…

About Alpha-MSH

Melanocortin peptide; activates MC1R (pigmentation/anti-inflammatory), MC3R (energy balance), MC4R (appetite); suppresses NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines

Research Areas

anti-inflammatoryappetite suppressionthermoregulationskin pigmentation

About Melanotan II

Synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist (MC1R-MC5R); activates MC4R for erectile function/libido; MC1R for melanogenesis; MC3R for appetite suppression

Research Areas

central MC4R-mediated sexual arousal and erectile functionskin tanning via MC1R melanogenesis activationappetite suppression (MC4R hypothalamic pathway)significant side effect profile — nausea, flushing, pigmentation (vs cleaner successor PT-141)

Safety Profile

Information below reflects published research data only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before use.

Alpha-MSH

Reported (Unverified — Pending Clinical Review)

melanoma historyuncontrolled hypertension

No established clinical contraindications

Melanotan II

Warnings & Cautions

No FDA approval — investigationalMelanoma / dysplastic nevi — caution (melanocyte stimulation)Cardiovascular effectsPriapism (males)Known hypersensitivity

Class-based (investigational)

Used Together?

Melanotan II

Antihypertensive medications
Research notes that Melanotan II may influence cardiovascular function via melanocortin receptor activation. Combined use with antihypertensive medications may require blood pressure monitoring. Consult your prescriber before combining.

Price (per mg)

Alpha-MSH

Not enough vendor pricing yet.

Melanotan II

$4.00/mg

$3.45 – $4.36 range

37 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

Providers offering

Alpha-MSH

Browse directory →

Providers offering

Melanotan II

94 listed

Browse directory →

PeptideBase lists providers for educational research purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before obtaining or using any peptide.

More Reproductive & Hormonal Comparisons

Browse all peptides →

Educational research tools — not medical advice.

Cite this page

Data last updated August 26, 2026

Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:

PeptideBase. (2026). Alpha-MSH vs Melanotan II — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved September 11, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/alpha-msh/melanotan-ii

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