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Melanotan II

Skin Health & Anti-AgingResearch-Grade

Last reviewed: September 26, 2026

Quick Facts

What it is
A lab-made melanocortin receptor agonist studied for skin tanning and pigmentation and for libido — non-selective across MC1R–MC5R, which drives both its effects and a broad side-effect burden.
How it's taken
Subcutaneous injection, starting from a 0.1 mg test dose
Half-life
~hours in plasma; pigmentation effects accumulate over weeks
Typical research dose
0.25–1 mg per dose; never exceed 1 mg per dose
Research status
Not FDA-approved — research use only; health agency warnings in the US, UK, Australia, and EU.
On this page
  1. 1.Where to source Melanotan II
  2. 2.What is Melanotan II?
  3. 3.How does Melanotan II work?
  4. 4.What is Melanotan II used for?
  5. 5.How long does Melanotan II take to work?
  6. 6.How is Melanotan II dosed?
  7. 7.How is Melanotan II administered?
  8. 8.What does Melanotan II stack well with?
  9. 9.What are the side effects of Melanotan II?
  10. 10.Does Melanotan II interact with other drugs?
  11. 11.How should Melanotan II be stored?
  12. 12.What are the limitations of Melanotan II research?
  13. 13.Melanotan II FAQ
  14. 14.References
  15. 15.Published Studies

Where to source Melanotan II

MT-II is sold by specialty research peptide vendors as research-grade material despite regulatory warnings from multiple health agencies. We strongly recommend reading the full Side Effects & Safety section before considering use. The vendors highlighted below have been vetted for transparent third-party testing, traceable batch documentation, and verified discount codes.

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What is Melanotan II?

Melanotan II (also known as MT-II or MT2) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide — a melanocyte-stimulating hormone analog — that acts as a non-selective agonist of the melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R). It was developed in the 1980s at the University of Arizona as a successor to Melanotan I (afamelanotide, FDA-approved as Scenesse for erythropoietic protoporphyria). Originally developed as a sunless tanning agent, MT-II also produces strong sexual arousal effects (via MC4R) and appetite suppression. It is NOT FDA-approved for any indication, and health agencies in multiple countries have warned against its use. PT-141 (bremelanotide / Vyleesi) was specifically derived from MT-II by removing the C-terminal amide group — eliminating the strong tanning effect while preserving sexual arousal effects. MT-II is associated with documented serious adverse events including rhabdomyolysis, renal injury, and reversible darkening of moles. New to peptide research? Start with the basics

Reported benefits:

  • Sunless tanning (skin darkening via MC1R-mediated melanin production)
  • Appetite suppression (MC4R activation)
  • Sexual arousal / erection support in males (MC3R/MC4R)
  • Reduced UV exposure required for tan development

Reported risks (genuinely worth flagging upfront): Mole darkening, new moles, reported melanoma cases (causation unclear), rhabdomyolysis, renal infarction, sympathomimetic toxicity, severe nausea, priapism. See the full Side Effects & Safety section.

Common research dose: Starting dose: 0.1 mg subcutaneously to assess tolerance. Typical research range: 0.25–1 mg per dose, 2–3 times per week during loading phase, then weekly maintenance. Community sources describe 1 mg per dose as a hard ceiling in research contexts.

Where to buy: PP maintains a vetted list of peptide vendors with verified discount codes. See Verified Discount Codes for current options.

How does Melanotan II work?

MT-II is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R). Each receptor produces distinct effects: MC1R drives skin pigmentation (the tanning effect), MC3R/MC4R drive appetite suppression and sexual arousal, MC5R affects exocrine glands. The non-selective profile is responsible for both the desired effects and the broad side-effect burden — sympathomimetic activation can increase blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to documented rhabdomyolysis and renal injury cases at higher doses.

  1. Non-Selective Melanocortin Agonism [1]. Activates MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. Each receptor has distinct effects: MC1R (skin pigmentation), MC3R/MC4R (appetite + sexual arousal + cardiovascular), MC5R (exocrine glands). The non-selective profile is responsible for both the desired effects and the broad side-effect profile.
  2. Melanin Production [2]. MC1R activation in melanocytes triggers eumelanin synthesis. This produces UV-independent skin darkening — sometimes called 'sunless tanning' — but does NOT confer the protective effects of avoiding UV exposure.
  3. Sexual Arousal [3]. MC4R activation in hypothalamus produces sexual desire and erection effects (male) and arousal (female). This is the basis for PT-141 / Vyleesi development — PT-141 retains this effect while removing the tanning effect through structural modification.
  4. Appetite Suppression [4]. MC4R in the arcuate nucleus reduces food intake. Effect contributes to MT-II's 'Barbie drug' profile (tanning + thinness). Setmelanotide, an FDA-approved selective MC4R agonist, uses this same pathway for rare obesity.
  5. Cardiovascular Effects. Sympathomimetic activation can increase blood pressure and heart rate. This is a major safety concern at higher doses and contributes to the documented rhabdomyolysis and renal injury cases in case reports.

What is Melanotan II used for?

MT-II's research history includes the University of Arizona Phase 1 tanning trials (1990s), erectile dysfunction research (spawned PT-141 development), multiple published case reports of serious adverse events (rhabdomyolysis, renal injury), mole darkening documentation, and the parallel setmelanotide FDA approval (selective MC4R agonist for rare obesity — the cleaner alternative). The non-selective pharmacology that produces MT-II's tanning effect also produces its side-effect burden.

  1. Sunless Tanning [5]. University of Arizona Phase 1 trials in the 1990s established the tanning effect. Tan develops over 5+ doses. Originally pursued as a cosmetic by Clinuvel; abandoned due to regulatory restrictions.
  2. Erectile Dysfunction Research [6]. Wessells et al. early trials in men with ED showed initiation of erections. This research line spawned PT-141 / bremelanotide development. PT-141 is now FDA-approved; MT-II is not.
  3. Adverse Event Case Reports. Multiple published case reports of rhabdomyolysis, renal infarction, and renal failure following MT-II use. Two notable cases: a 39-year-old male injecting 6 mg (severe rhabdomyolysis, ICU admission), and a 27 mg cumulative dose case with renal infarction.
  4. Mole Darkening. Reversible darkening of pigmented lesions and new mole formation are documented in case reports. This complicates melanoma surveillance and is a primary reason dermatology authorities warn against MT-II use.
  5. Setmelanotide Development. FDA-approved selective MC4R agonist for rare forms of obesity (POMC, LEPR mutations). Represents the cleaner pharmacology that MT-II's non-selective profile lacks. The selectivity of setmelanotide and PT-141 suggests pharma research has moved past MT-II's non-selective approach.

How long does Melanotan II take to work?

MT-II effects develop on multiple timescales. Tan development: 5–10 doses over 2–3 weeks for visible darkening. Sexual effects: 30–60 minutes after a single dose. Side effects (nausea, flushing, mole changes): 30–90 minutes after injection. Mole darkening can persist after discontinuation. Reported melanoma cases generally emerge over months to years of use.

Tan development: 5–10 doses over 2–3 weeks for visible darkening. Sexual effects: 30–60 minutes after a single dose. Side effects (nausea, flushing, mole changes): typically 30–90 minutes after injection. Mole darkening can persist after discontinuation. Reported melanoma cases in the literature generally emerge over months to years of cumulative use — and causation versus UV behavior in users remains contested.

How is Melanotan II dosed?

One small human pilot trial administered MT-II at a weight-based dose; the flat-mg figures that circulate in research communities are a separate, unverified convention that does not derive from that trial's numbers. That distinction matters especially here: because serious adverse events are documented at higher doses, and because the two dosing bases don't map cleanly onto each other, conservative dosing is critical.

Prof. Peptide reports what trials established and what research communities practice, labelled separately. Neither is a recommendation.

Need to calculate a dose?

Use the Prof. Peptide dosage calculator for accurate reconstitution and dosing math.

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What the cited literature administered

Human trial (Phase I pilot, n=3) [7]. Dorr et al. (Life Sciences, 1996, PMID 8637402) ran a single-blind, alternating-day, placebo-controlled pilot in 3 healthy male volunteers at the University of Arizona. MT-II or saline was injected subcutaneously Monday–Friday for two consecutive weeks, starting at 0.01 mg/kg and escalating by 0.005 mg/kg increments — two subjects reached 0.03 mg/kg, one reached 0.025 mg/kg. Reported adverse events: the 0.03 mg/kg dose produced Grade II (WHO-scale) somnolence and fatigue in one of two subjects; mild nausea not requiring antiemetic treatment occurred at most dose levels; spontaneous penile erections, lasting 1–5 hours, were reported after MT-II dosing; and two subjects showed increased facial, upper-body, and buttock pigmentation a week after dosing ended. The paper concluded MT-II produces tanning in humans after only 5 low doses given every other day, and recommended 0.025 mg/kg/day as the dose for future Phase I work. This is a weight-based, physician-administered pilot in 3 subjects — not a large or randomized trial, and not itself a safety study of the higher doses linked to rhabdomyolysis and renal injury in the case reports covered under Side Effects.

Community-reported practice (unverified)

Reported research-community practice — not independently verified by Prof. Peptide, and not derived from the Dorr trial’s own numbers — uses flat milligram amounts rather than a weight-based dose: a 0.1 mg starting/test dose, a 0.25–0.5 mg loading-phase dose 3–5 days per week for 2–4 weeks, and 0.5 mg once or twice weekly for maintenance. This diverges from the cited trial in dose basis (flat mg versus the trial’s own mg/kg) and, at the upper end, in magnitude — the trial’s own recommended 0.025 mg/kg/day figure works out to roughly 1.5–2 mg/day for a 60–80 kg adult, above the community’s own stated 1 mg hard ceiling, though the trial gave that amount under medical supervision with escalation and monitoring, not as a self-administered research convention. No source was found deriving the community mg figures from the trial’s mg/kg numbers. Given this gap and the case-report toxicity documented at 6 mg, community sources describe NEVER exceeding 1 mg per self-administered dose as a hard ceiling.

MT-II is NOT FDA-approved. The risk profile is meaningfully worse than typical research peptides. The full Side Effects & Safety section below sets out what that risk profile consists of.

The Prof. Peptide dosage calculator converts between milligram figures and syringe units for a given reconstitution; it performs the arithmetic and does not set a schedule.

How is Melanotan II administered?

MT-II is given as a subcutaneous injection — under the skin, not into muscle — using a small insulin syringe. Community-reported practice starts with a 0.1 mg test dose to assess tolerance and stays under 1 mg per dose. For the practical mechanics of insulin syringes, units vs mcg conversion, and subcutaneous technique, see the syringes and injection technique guide.

  1. Route. Subcutaneous injection. Standard insulin syringe.
  2. Test dose first. Reported protocols start with 0.1 mg to assess tolerance before increasing.
  3. Time of day. Any, but avoid evening if nausea-sensitive (nausea peaks 30–90 minutes post-injection).
  4. Site rotation. Abdomen, thigh, upper arm.
  5. Anti-nausea prep (optional). Some users take oral ondansetron 30 minutes before injection. Light snack also helps.
  6. Needles. Single-use insulin syringes; sharing is a documented route for bloodborne infection.
  7. Hard ceiling. Community sources describe 1 mg per dose as a hard ceiling — documented near-fatal toxicity at 6 mg.

Timing context. MT-II's tanning effect is sometimes reported to develop cumulatively over 5–10 doses, and sexual effects within 30–60 minutes per dose — no trial or label has been identified establishing either timeframe. The dose-dependent risk profile is unusually steep — mild side effects at 0.25–0.5 mg become serious sympathomimetic and rhabdomyolysis risks above 1 mg. The narrow therapeutic-to-toxic window is the primary safety constraint, more than timing.

AspectReported
Frequency3–5×/week (loading); 1–2×/week (maintenance)
Best time of dayAny, but avoid evening if nausea-sensitive
FoodLight snack before injection may reduce nausea
Injection site rotationAbdomen, thigh, upper arm
Half-life~hours plasma; pigmentation effects accumulate over weeks
Hard dose ceilingA published case report (Nelson et al., 2012, Clinical Toxicology) describes near-fatal systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis following a 6 mg dose — the documented basis for treating 1 mg per dose as a ceiling

Reconstitution math. Water volume sets concentration: a lower volume yields a higher concentration and a smaller syringe draw for a given mg amount, and the reverse for a higher volume. MT-II research vials are typically 10 mg. Because doses are very small (0.1–1 mg), 1–2 mL reconstitution is the common research convention — it keeps the syringe draw within insulin syringe capacity at all dose levels. All units below are measured on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL). The table assumes a 10 mg vial.

BAC waterConcentration0.1 mg (test)0.25 mg dose0.5 mg dose1 mg (ceiling)
1 mL10 mg/mL1 unit3 units5 units10 units
2 mL5 mg/mL2 units5 units10 units20 units
3 mL3.33 mg/mL3 units8 units15 units30 units

Units vs mcg. At a 10 mg vial, each unit drawn delivers 100 mcg of MT-II at 1 mL reconstitution, 50 mcg at 2 mL, and 33 mcg at 3 mL — the reconstitution volume determines the mcg-per-unit conversion. For a primer on reading insulin syringes and choosing the right barrel size, see our guide on syringes and injection technique.

What does Melanotan II stack well with?

Given MT-II's risk profile, no stacking combination here is supported by data. The most important non-stacking is PT-141 — same melanocortin receptor system, additive cardiovascular and side-effect risk. PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil) have theoretical additive cardiovascular effect — monitor closely. Other peptides (BPC-157, TB-500) are not documented to interact but use in separate protocols rather than combined.

  1. Standalone use. No stacking combination is supported by data — MT-II's risk profile is the reason it is reported standalone.
  2. Conflicts: PT-141. Combining with PT-141 is not supported: both are melanocortin agonists, and combination produces additive cardiovascular and side-effect risk.
  3. PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil). Theoretical additive cardiovascular effect; monitor closely.
  4. Other peptides. BPC-157, TB-500 — no documented interaction; generally safe to use in separate protocols.
  5. Anti-nausea protocol. Some users take oral ondansetron 30 minutes before injection. Ginger tablets are a non-prescription alternative.

What are the side effects of Melanotan II?

MT-II is NOT FDA-approved. Health authorities in the US, UK, Australia, and EU have issued warnings. The combined risk profile — documented rhabdomyolysis, renal injury, mole darkening, theoretical melanoma risk — makes MT-II one of the higher-risk research peptides commonly available. Multiple published case reports describe ICU admissions for severe muscle breakdown and acute kidney injury at higher doses. Common effects include nausea, flushing, mole darkening, appetite suppression, and spontaneous erections in males.

Common (most users)

  1. Nausea. 40–65% at doses >0.5 mg.
  2. Flushing. Facial warmth, transient.
  3. Mole darkening. Reversible during use; can persist after stopping.
  4. Decreased appetite. MC4R-mediated.
  5. Spontaneous erections in males. MC4R-mediated.

Less common (moderate)

  1. Hyperpigmentation. Reported on the face, gums, and breasts.
  2. Persistent mole changes. May not resolve after discontinuation.
  3. Headache, dizziness.
  4. Mild blood pressure elevation.

Serious (documented in case reports)

  1. Rhabdomyolysis with renal failure. ICU admission documented in published case reports.
  2. Renal infarction. Documented in published case reports.
  3. Sympathomimetic toxicity.
  4. Priapism. Prolonged erection requiring medical intervention.
  5. Reported melanoma cases. Causation unclear, may relate to UV behavior in users.

MT-II is NOT FDA-approved. Health authorities in the US, UK, Australia, and EU have issued warnings. PT-141 (Vyleesi) is the only FDA-approved derivative for sexual arousal indications. The combined risk profile — documented rhabdomyolysis, renal injury, mole darkening, theoretical melanoma risk — makes MT-II one of the higher-risk research peptides commonly available.

Does Melanotan II interact with other drugs?

MT-II's important interactions are with sympathomimetic medications (decongestants, ADHD stimulants — additive cardiovascular risk), antihypertensives (BP effects unpredictable), other melanocortin agonists (PT-141, setmelanotide — same receptor system, additive risk), and alcohol (additive nausea, dehydration, cardiovascular effects). The sympathomimetic risk is genuine and contributes to documented rhabdomyolysis cases.

  1. Sympathomimetic medications (decongestants, ADHD stimulants). Additive cardiovascular effects. Combining the two is reported to compound that risk.
  2. Antihypertensives. MT-II raises BP transiently; effects on patients on BP meds are unpredictable.
  3. PT-141 (bremelanotide). Same receptor system as MT-II, with reported additive risk from combining the two.
  4. Setmelanotide. Same receptor system as MT-II.
  5. Alcohol. Additive nausea, dehydration, and cardiovascular effects.

How should Melanotan II be stored?

  1. Lyophilized: -20°C long-term, 2–8°C short-term.
  2. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, 14–30 days max.
  3. Light-sensitive — store in original carton.
  4. A cloudy or discolored solution is discarded.
  5. Reconstitution uses bacteriostatic water for injection. Swirl gently — do not shake.
  6. The reconstituted solution is never frozen.

What are the limitations of Melanotan II research?

Melanotan II is NOT FDA-approved for any human use. Health agencies in the US, UK, Australia, EU, and elsewhere have issued warnings against its use. Multiple published case reports document serious adverse events including rhabdomyolysis, renal injury, severe sympathomimetic toxicity, priapism, and reported melanoma cases. The 'research peptide' market for MT-II is largely unregulated. PT-141 (bremelanotide) is the FDA-approved derivative — the cleaner pharmacology MT-II's non-selectivity lacks. NOT WADA-prohibited.

Melanotan II is NOT FDA-approved for any human use. Health agencies in the US, UK, Australia, EU, and elsewhere have issued warnings against its use.

Multiple published case reports document serious adverse events including rhabdomyolysis, renal injury, severe sympathomimetic toxicity, priapism, and reported melanoma cases. The “research peptide” market for MT-II is largely unregulated — purity and potency vary widely.

Long-term safety data are limited and concerning for melanoma risk (though causation vs UV behavior remains debated). PT-141 (bremelanotide) is the FDA-approved derivative for sexual arousal applications and represents the cleaner pharmacology that MT-II's non-selectivity lacks.

Anti-doping: not currently on the WADA prohibited list. We strongly recommend reading the full Side Effects & Safety section before considering use.

Melanotan II FAQ

Is Melanotan II FDA-approved?

No — and health agencies in the US, UK, Australia, and EU have issued explicit warnings against its use. Multiple case reports document serious adverse events including rhabdomyolysis, renal injury, and severe sympathomimetic toxicity. PT-141 (bremelanotide / Vyleesi) is the only FDA-approved derivative, and it was specifically engineered to remove MT-II's strong tanning effect.

How is MT-II different from PT-141?

PT-141 was derived from MT-II by removing the C-terminal amide group. This single structural change eliminates the strong melanocyte-stimulating effect (tanning) while preserving the sexual arousal effects. PT-141 is FDA-approved (Vyleesi, June 2019) for HSDD in premenopausal women; MT-II is not FDA-approved for any indication and carries multiple regulatory warnings. PT-141 represents the cleaner pharmacology that MT-II's non-selective melanocortin profile lacks.

Is sunless tanning from MT-II safe?

There is no documented safety basis for MT-II as a tanning agent. Reversible darkening of moles, formation of new moles, and reported melanoma cases (causation unclear) are documented in the literature. The original developers at the University of Arizona did not pursue MT-II for sunless tanning specifically because of these concerns. Health authorities worldwide have warned against this use case.

Will MT-II protect against UV damage?

No. The skin darkening from MT-II is from increased melanin production, but this does NOT replace the protective effects of avoiding UV exposure. An MT-II-induced tan does not provide equivalent UV protection. UV damage to skin and DNA still accumulates regardless of MT-II-induced pigmentation.

What is the most dangerous MT-II side effect?

Rhabdomyolysis with renal failure is the most dangerous documented side effect. Multiple published case reports describe MT-II users requiring ICU admission for severe muscle breakdown and acute kidney injury. One published case described a 39-year-old male injecting 6 mg (six times the typical research dose) who developed severe rhabdomyolysis. Renal infarction has also been reported.

Can MT-II cause melanoma?

Reported melanoma cases exist in the MT-II literature. Causation is debated — some researchers attribute these cases to UV behavior in users (people who use MT-II often spend more time in the sun) rather than to direct MT-II carcinogenicity. The drug certainly causes mole darkening and new mole formation, which makes melanoma surveillance more difficult. The combined risk profile is a strong argument for avoiding MT-II.

How does MT-II affect appetite?

MT-II reduces appetite via MC4R activation in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. This is part of the basis for setmelanotide's FDA approval for rare forms of obesity (POMC, LEPR mutations). The combination of tanning + appetite suppression earned MT-II its informal nickname "Barbie drug." Decreased appetite and nausea are reported as a common compound side effect.

Where can I buy Melanotan II?

MT-II is sold by specialty research peptide vendors as research-grade material despite regulatory warnings from multiple health agencies. We strongly recommend reading the full Side Effects & Safety section before considering use. PP maintains a list of vetted vendors with verified discount codes — see Verified Discount Codes .

References

  1. Wikipedia. Melanotan II. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanotan_II
  2. Hadley ME, Dorr RT. Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. Peptides. 2006;27(4):921-30.
  3. Wessells H, Levine N, Hadley ME, et al. Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation. Int J Impot Res. 2000;12 Suppl 4:S74-9.
  4. Nelson ME, Bryant SM, Aks SE. Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis. Clin Toxicol. 2012;50(10):1169-73. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23121206/
  5. DermNet NZ. Melanotan II. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melanotan-ii
  6. Peters B, Hadimeri H, Wahlberg R, et al. Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature. CEN Case Rep. 2020;9(4):361-365. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7148395/
  7. Dorr RT, Lines R, Levine N, et al. Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide. Life Sci. 1996;58(20):1777-84.

Published Studies

Plain-English summaries of the peer-reviewed studies behind the claims above. Click any title to read the source paper.

Life Sciences / PubMed · 1996Paywalled
Evaluation of Melanotan-II — A Superpotent Cyclic Melanotropic Peptide — in a Pilot Phase I Clinical Study →

Dorr RT, Lines R, Levine N, et al.

The first human Phase I clinical trial of Melanotan II at the University of Arizona. The trial confirmed visible tanning within 5 doses without UV exposure, and documented the now well-known side effects: nausea, facial flushing, fatigue, yawning, and spontaneous penile erections — the last of which redirected subsequent research toward MT-II's effects on sexual function.

Peptides / PubMed · 2005Paywalled
Discovery That a Melanocortin Regulates Sexual Functions in Male and Female Humans →

Hadley ME

The paper documenting the accidental discovery that Melanotan II enhances sexual function in both males and females — first noted during tanning trials. This led directly to the development of bremelanotide (PT-141), a more selective MC4R agonist now FDA-approved for female sexual dysfunction.

Peptides / PubMed · 2006Paywalled
Melanocortin Peptide Therapeutics — Historical Milestones, Clinical Studies and Commercialization →

Hadley ME, Dorr RT

A comprehensive review of the full Melanotan program — from initial discovery through clinical development and the pivot toward commercialization. Traces MT-I (afamelanotide) and MT-II development, and describes the development of PT-141 (bremelanotide) as a more selective derivative.

PMC / Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2025Open Access
An Overview of Benefits and Risks of Chronic Melanocortin-1 Receptor Activation →

Böhm M, Robert C, Malhotra S, et al.

The most current and balanced risk assessment of Melanotan II, documenting five reported cases of melanoma occurring during or after MT-II use. The review explains the biological mechanism of concern: MT-II stimulates melanocyte activity through MC1R, which can accelerate melanocytic activity in pre-existing nevi. The authors recommend against the use of unlicensed melanocortin agents.

Skin Health & Anti-AgingMelanocortin AgonistTanningResearch-Grade

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