Melanotan II

Sexual health Research compound (not approved for human use)

Cyclic melanocortin receptor agonist (alpha-MSH analog) · also known as MT-II, MT2, Melanotan 2

For reference only — not medical advice. Figures are commonly reported values compiled from published sources and may be wrong or out of date. Many compounds listed are not approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician before using any compound.

Melanotan II was originally developed as a potential tanning agent and was studied in a few small human trials. It is not approved as a drug in the US, and health agencies in several countries have warned about unregulated products. Bremelanotide (PT-141) is a related compound that was derived from it.

Commonly reported dosing (10 mg vial)

Reconstituted with 3 mL → 3.333 mg/mL.

Phase	Dose	Volume	U-100 units
Loading – starting	250 mcg	0.075 mL	7.5
Loading – upper	1 mg	0.3 mL	30
Maintenance (1-2x weekly) Reference charts describe 500-1000 mcg once or twice weekly after the loading phase.	500 mcg	0.15 mL	15

Frequency: Commonly reported once daily during a 6-8 week loading phase, then 1-2 times weekly · Half-life: Not well characterized in humans

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Commonly reported dose escalation

Weeks	Dose	Volume	U-100 units
Weeks 1-1	250 mcg	0.075 mL	7.5
Weeks 2-2	500 mcg	0.15 mL	15
Weeks 3-3	750 mcg	0.225 mL	22.5
Week 4+	1 mg	0.3 mL	30

Higher steps may need a larger vial or more than one draw. Escalation schedules vary; dosing decisions belong to a licensed clinician.

Commonly reported reconstitution steps

Vials are usually brought to room temperature (about 15-20 minutes) first.
3 mL of bacteriostatic water is added slowly down the inside wall of the 10 mg vial.
The vial is swirled gently until clear, not shaken.
This gives 3.33 mg/mL. Mixed vials are typically labeled with the date and refrigerated.

Storage

Before mixing: Lyophilized research vials are commonly stored frozen (around -20 °C), dry and protected from light.

After mixing: Reconstituted solution is commonly kept refrigerated (2-8 °C), protected from light, and not frozen; product-specific use-by guidance varies.

How it works

As a non-selective agonist at several melanocortin receptors, it stimulates melanocytes through MC1R to increase pigmentation and acts on central MC3R and MC4R pathways linked to appetite and sexual arousal.

Researched for

Early small human studies reported dose-dependent skin darkening.
A placebo-controlled crossover study in 20 men with erectile dysfunction reported erections without sexual stimulation in 17 of 20 men.
Studied for effects on sexual desire and appetite.

Notes

Commonly reported effects include nausea, flushing, yawning and spontaneous erections; severe nausea occurred in some men at higher doses in trials.
Dermatology sources raise concern about new or changing moles, and unregulated products carry contamination risk.
Not approved for any medical use; evidence comes from a handful of small trials.