Melanotan II
A synthetic melanocortin peptide studied for tanning, sexual function, and appetite suppression. Not FDA-approved; the FDA has issued public warnings against its use.
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This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
What is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It was originally developed at the University of Arizona as a potential sunless tanning agent. It activates melanocortin receptors broadly, which is why it affects multiple systems including skin pigmentation, sexual function, and appetite. The FDA has issued explicit warnings against the use of Melanotan II, citing safety concerns including unpredictable pigmentation changes, mole changes that may complicate skin cancer screening, and reports of serious adverse events. It is not recommended for any use outside of supervised research settings.
Why People Talk About It
Skin tanning without UV exposure
EmergingSexual function enhancement (PT-141/bremelanotide is the FDA-approved derivative for this use)
EmergingAppetite suppression
PreliminaryHow It Works
Melanotan II activates the same receptors that natural melanocyte-stimulating hormone uses. These receptors control skin pigmentation (tanning), sexual arousal, and appetite. Because it activates multiple receptor subtypes, it has broad effects — which is both its appeal and its risk.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • FDA has issued warnings against use
- • May complicate skin cancer screening
- • Unpredictable pigmentation changes
- • Not approved for any medical use
- • Quality control concerns with unregulated sources
What We Don't Know
Long-term effects on melanocyte biology and skin cancer risk are not well characterized. This is a significant concern given the mechanism of action.
Published Research
31 studiesMelanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: human studies with Melanotan II
Synthetic melanotropic peptide initiates erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study
Effect of an alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone analog on penile erection and sexual desire in men with organic erectile dysfunction
Nanostructured porous silicon microparticles enable sustained peptide (Melanotan II) delivery
The use of telemetry technology to test the proerectile effect of melanotan-II (MT-II) in conscious rats
Exploring the site of anorectic action of peripherally administered synthetic melanocortin peptide MT-II in rats
Extensive structure-activity studies of lactam derivatives of MT-II and SHU-9119: their activity and selectivity at human melanocortin receptors 3, 4, and 5
A comparison of HPLC and bioassay methods for plasma melanotan-II (MT-II) determination: application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats
Risks of unregulated use of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues: a review
Changes in Oral Mucosa Associated with Melanotan II Injections: A Case Report
Melanotan II nasal spray: a possible risk factor for oral mucosal malignant melanoma?
The unregulated use of melanotan-II is of public health interest to Australian dermatologists
Eruptive naevi and darkening of pre-existing naevi 24 h after a single mono-dose injection of melanotan II
[Eruptive nevi after injection of drugs marketed as melanotan II. The first two Swedish cases described]
Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis
[Dermoscopic changes in melanocytic nevi during use of melanotan II]
Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report
5-Hydroxypyrroloindoline Affords Tryptathionine and 2,2'-bis-Indole Peptide Staples: Application to Melanotan-II
Antidepressant-like and antistress effects of the ACTH(4-10) synthetic analogs Semax and Melanotan II on male rats in a model of chronic unpredictable stress
Melanotan-II reverses memory impairment induced by a short-term HF diet
CLIPSing Melanotan-II to Discover Multiple Functionally Selective hMCR Agonists
Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food
LC-HRMS characterization of the skin pigmentation and sexual enhancers melanotan II and bremelanotide sold on the black market of performance and image enhancing drugs
Melanotan II, a melanocortin agonist, partially rescues the impaired thermogenic capacity of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide deficient mice
Combining MALDI mass spectrometry imaging and droplet-base surface sampling analysis for tissue distribution, metabolite profiling, and relative quantification of cyclic peptide melanotan II
Melanotan-II reverses autistic features in a maternal immune activation mouse model of autism
Melanotan II causes hypothermia in mice by activation of mast cells and stimulation of histamine 1 receptors
Effect of Melanotan-II on Brain Fos Immunoreactivity and Oxytocin Neuronal Activity and Secretion in Rats
Identification and characterization by LC-UV-MS/MS of melanotan II skin-tanning products sold illegally on the Internet
Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums
Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
Related Peptides
Quick Facts
- Class
- Melanocortin Agonist
- Evidence
- Emerging
- Safety
- Use Caution
- Updated
- Jan 2026
- Citations
- 31PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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