Melanotan II

Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. It stimulates melanogenesis and has been sold illicitly as a tanning agent. It also has effects on sexual arousal via melanocortin receptors. NOT FDA-approved and associated with significant safety concerns including melanoma risk, priapism, and other adverse effects.

PubMed results: 194 · Human studies: 46 · Animal studies: 180

Ranges reflect protocols studied in published research and animal-model extrapolation. Presented for research purposes only, not a recommendation or instruction for human use.

Not recommended - safety concerns

• Subcutaneous — standard range 0.25-1 mg, Every 2-3 days. DISCLAIMER: Not FDA-approved, safety concerns

2-4 hours (low confidence)

• Melanogenesis stimulation (Moderate clinical): Melanotan II, a synthetic alpha-MSH analog, activates melanocortin receptors and has been studied for increased melanin production and pigmentation responses in human and experimental settings.
• Photoprotection and pigmentation research (including vitiligo contexts) (Limited): Research interest includes nonsegmental vitiligo and pigmentation pathways; controlled therapeutic evidence for unapproved Melanotan II products remains limited compared with regulated melanocortin agents.
• Sexual arousal pathway research (Moderate clinical): Melanocortin receptor activity has been studied for effects on sexual arousal pathways; related peptide research informed later melanocortin drug development, though Melanotan II itself is not FDA-approved.

• Nausea and flushing — Mild, Common. Nausea, facial flushing, and spontaneous erections are frequently reported in clinical and observational literature on Melanotan II.
• Darkening of existing moles / pigmentation changes — Moderate, Common. Melanocortin-driven pigmentation can darken nevi and freckles; this change is a documented research and pharmacovigilance concern.
• Priapism and serious adverse events — Serious, Rare. Priapism and other serious events have been reported in association with Melanotan II; unregulated product use also raises purity and melanoma-surveillance concerns in safety literature.

• Personal or family history of melanoma or atypical nevi under active surveillance (Clinical): Stimulated melanogenesis and mole darkening raise theoretical and clinical concern about confounding or accelerating pigmented lesion changes.
• Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease in research protocols (Theoretical / Preclinical): Vasomotor effects (flushing, blood-pressure changes) and adverse-event reports lead many research protocols to exclude high cardiovascular risk subjects.

Lyophilized (powder): Refrigerated (2-8°C), Up to 24 months. Light sensitive: yes, store dark

Reconstituted (solution): Refrigerated (2-8°C), 4-6 weeks. Solvent: Bacteriostatic water

• NCT07437560 — Melanotan II (MT-II) as an Adjunct to NB-UVB Phototherapy for Repigmentation in Stable Nonsegmental Vitiligo (PHASE2), status: RECRUITING. Indications: NonSegmental Vitiligo, Nonsegmental Vitiligo (Stable)