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Peptide Profile

Melanotan II

MT-II · MT2 · Melanotan 2

Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a neuropeptide that activates melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC4R) involved in pigmentation, sexual arousal, and appetite regulation. By…

Reproductive & HormonalResearch Only
Used forsexual health
Half-life
~1-2 hours
Routes
subcutaneous, intranasal
Find providers View evidence

Educational research information — not medical advice. Review primary sources and consult a qualified professional before any decision.

Educational research tools — not medical advice.

Overview

What Melanotan II is

About Melanotan II

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

Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a neuropeptide that activates melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC4R) involved in pigmentation, sexual arousal, and appetite regulation. By agonizing MC4R receptors in the central nervous system, melanotan II promotes erectile function and sexual arousal through a centrally mediated pathway, distinct from the peripheral vasodilatory mechanism of PDE5 inhibitors. An early randomized controlled trial demonstrated significant improvements in erectile function and sexual desire in men with organic erectile dysfunction, and subsequent reviews have characterized the melanocortin receptor class as a pharmacological target for sexual dysfunction. Melanotan II is not approved by the FDA or any major regulatory agency for any indication; it is a research compound associated with significant off-target effects, and a related compound (bremelanotide, marketed as PT-141) holds FDA approval for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in pre-menopausal women. Melanotan II vs PT-141: bremelanotide (PT-141) was developed directly from the melanotan II research program as a cleaner successor compound. PT-141 was designed to retain the MC4R-mediated sexual response effects while reducing the tanning (MC1R) and nausea side effects that characterize melanotan II. The key practical distinction is that PT-141 has completed Phase 3 trials and holds FDA approval, while melanotan II remains an unapproved research compound. Melanotan II is associated with more pronounced side effects than its successor — including facial flushing, nausea, spontaneous erections, and significant skin pigmentation from MC1R activation — which contributed to its replacement by the more selective bremelanotide in clinical development. The side effect profile is dose-dependent, with nausea being the most commonly reported adverse event. Melanotan II has no approved clinical use in any jurisdiction; individuals interested in melanocortin-based sexual health compounds are better served by consulting providers offering FDA-approved PT-141 (bremelanotide), listed in the PeptideBase directory.

Melanotan II Benefits & 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)

Research Signals

Population research notes

18–2930s40s50+

These signals reflect research interest areas, not treatment indications.

Pharmacokinetics

Melanotan II half-life calculator

Compound & timing

Half-lifefrom PeptideBase data
Source: "~1-2 hours" · Melanotan II (PeptideBase)
to show amount remaining
2 h
0%25%50%75%100%02.14.26.28.310time since dose (h)
Plasma decay curve for Melanotan II: 25% to 50% remaining at 2 h after the dose.
range (~1-2 hours)slower half-life
25%–50%remaining in plasmaat 2 h after the dose
Half-life
1 – 2 h
~97% cleared after
10 h

Model: single-dose, first-order (single-compartment) estimate. Real clearance is multi-compartment and varies by individual and route.

The Research

What the evidence says about Melanotan II

Research Evidence

based on 2 studies · 1 RCT · dated evidence base — most recent 2014

Regulatory Status

Availability Status
Research Only
FDA Status
Source
View FDA source →

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.

Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.

Research Sources

2 sources cited · 1 strong · 1 weak

1 RCT · 1 Review

  • Effect of an alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone analog on penile erection and sexual desire in men with organic erectile dysfunction

    Urology · 2000

    In a double-blind crossover trial of 10 men with organic erectile dysfunction, subcutaneous Melanotan II (0.025 mg/kg) initiated subjectively reported erections in 12 of 19 injections versus 1 of 21 placebo doses, with mean tip rigidity >80% lasting 45.3 minutes versus 1.9 minutes for placebo (p=0.047), and significantly higher post-injection sexual desire scores, demonstrating central melanocortin receptor-mediated erectogenic and libido-enhancing activity.

    RCTn=10StrongPMID 11018622

  • Melanocortin receptor agonists in the treatment of male and female sexual dysfunctions: results from basic research and clinical studies

    Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs · 2014

    This review summarizes the clinical development of melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonists including Melanotan II and bremelanotide for male erectile dysfunction and female arousal and orgasmic disorders, documenting that central melanocortinergic activation modulates both peripheral genital vascular responses and central arousal circuitry, and reviewing the evidence base supporting MCR agonists as a therapeutic class for sexual dysfunction.

    ReviewTheoreticalPMID 25096243

Melanotan II Side Effects & Safety Considerations

No FDA-approved label for this compound. Cautions below are extrapolated from its mechanism/drug class — investigational; educational only.

Warnings & cautions

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

Class-based (investigational)

Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.

Known Interactions

1 noted

Pharmaceutical interactions are noted for research awareness. Always consult your prescriber before combining Melanotan II with any medication.

Use With Caution1
Antihypertensive medicationsPharmaceutical
Emerging

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.

Wikberg JE (1999) Melanocortin receptors: perspectives for novel drugs. Eur J Pharmacol; Moller CL et al. (2011) Melanocortin-4 receptor agonists and cardiovascular effects. J Endocrinol

These interactions reflect published research and are provided for educational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before combining any compounds or medications.

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Melanotan II

Third-party testing data

5 verified COAs

Median tested purity

99.8%

Median tested purity of 99.8% across 5 verified third-party lab COAs (interquartile range 99.8%–99.9%), as reported by the independent testing labs below. PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product.

Independent labs
Freedom Diagnostics, Janoshik Analytical
Most recent test
June 2026

PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.

Certificates of Analysis

Cross-vendor verified16 COAs on record for Melanotan II

PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product. Confirmed by lab results were matched against the issuing laboratory's own records — either the lab served the document, or its own hosted copy matches ours byte for byte. For every other result the badge states what is known about the lab: that it can be checked and no result is recorded yet, that it can't be checked, or that we have not reviewed it.

PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions — Melanotan II

Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a neuropeptide that activates melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC4R) involved in pigmentation, sexual arousal, and appetite regulation. By agonizing MC4R receptors in the central nervous system, melanotan II promotes erectile function and sexual arousal through a centrally mediated pathway, distinct from the peripheral vasodilatory mechanism of PDE5 inhibitors.

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

Research on Melanotan II primarily documents effects related to central MC4R-mediated sexual arousal and erectile function and skin tanning via MC1R melanogenesis activation and appetite suppression (MC4R hypothalamic pathway) and significant side effect profile — nausea, flushing, pigmentation (vs cleaner successor PT-141). These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.

Reported contraindications and considerations for Melanotan II include No FDA approval — investigational, Melanoma / dysplastic nevi — caution (melanocyte stimulation), Cardiovascular effects. 2 additional considerations are noted in the safety profile above. This is educational information only — consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.

For Melanotan II, its FDA status is Nomination Withdrawn, and it is designated for research use only. Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.

81 providers in the directory currently offer Melanotan II.

Across 37 research vendors tracked on PeptideBase, Melanotan II has a median price of about $4.00 per mg, typically ranging $3.45–$4.36 per mg. This reflects research-use vendor pricing, not clinical or prescription costs.

In a double-blind crossover trial of 10 men with organic erectile dysfunction, subcutaneous Melanotan II (0.025 mg/kg) initiated subjectively reported erections in 12 of 19 injections versus 1 of 21 placebo doses, with mean tip rigidity >80% lasting 45.3 minutes versus 1.9 minutes for placebo (p=0.047), and significantly higher post-injection sexual desire scores, demonstrating central melanocortin receptor-mediated erectogenic and libido-enhancing activity.

Melanotan II is featured in the following research stacks on PeptideBase: Melanotan II + Gonadorelin: Central & Hormonal Sexual Health.

Access

How to get Melanotan II

Market Pricing

37 vendors
$3.45/mgBudget
$4.00/mgMedian
$4.36/mgPremium
$3.45
$4.00
$4.36

Price per mg varies by quantity, vendor type, and formulation. Research use only.

Data verified August 2026 · Melanotan II price intelligence

Compare 37 vendors →
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Where to buy Melanotan II

81 providers
●48 Clinics●1 Pharmacy●31 Online Vendors●1 Physician94 in stock
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Research stacks

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Commonly stacked with

Gonadorelin

Questions to ask your provider

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Cite this page

Data last updated August 26, 2026

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

PeptideBase. (2026). Melanotan II — Per-mg Price Benchmark. Retrieved September 11, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/melanotan-ii
https://peptidebase.io/peptides/melanotan-iiMethodologyLicenseDownload JSONDownload CSV

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