For laboratory and educational research use only. Not medical advice.
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Skin & Hairearly_human

Melanotan II

Melanotan 2
Skin & Hair
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Category
Skin & Hair
Evidence grade
C
PubMed records
197
Female-tagged
39
Sex-analysis
1
CAS
—
C
Evidence grade C, Early human data only (Phase 1 / small-n) across 197 indexed studies. How grades work →
Female evidence: None
Melanotan II: of 197 PubMed records, 39 are tagged as including female subjects and 1 carry a sex-analysis tag.Counts reflect PubMed records as of 2026-07-17. “Female” uses the Female MeSH filter and “sex-analysis” the Sex Factors MeSH filter, automated proxies pending manual study-level review. Methodology →

Overview

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a heptapeptide whose ring structure improves its stability relative to the native hormone. Its non-selective activity across melanocortin receptors gives it a research-friendly profile as a tool compound for studying the melanocortin system as a whole.

In vitro and in preclinical systems, Melanotan II has been studied for its agonism at multiple melanocortin receptors, including MC1R and MC4R, and for its role in melanogenesis and pigmentation signaling. Early-phase human studies examined pigmentation-related endpoints, though it is not an approved drug and is associated with documented safety concerns; its more selective relative, bremelanotide, was developed separately.

What makes Melanotan II notable for a catalog is its breadth of receptor engagement, which links pigmentation and central melanocortin pathways in one molecule. Whether these mechanisms translate to female physiology remains an open research question; our evidence review tracks how many of the underlying studies included women.

Summary

Melanotan II is a synthetic, non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist sold illicitly as a tanning agent. Early-phase human studies examined pigmentation and erectile function, but it is not an approved drug and is associated with documented safety concerns. Its more selective metabolite, bremelanotide (PT-141), was developed separately and is FDA-approved for a female indication.

Evidence in women

Menstrual cycle
Unstudied
No studies examine menstrual cycle interactions.
Pregnancy & lactation
Contraindicated
No safety data; this is an unregulated compound and should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation.
Hormonal interactions
Unstudied
No data on estrogen, thyroid, or contraceptive interactions.
Perimenopause & menopause
Unstudied
No data in perimenopausal or menopausal populations.
Sex differences
Unstudied
The early human studies of the compound focused largely on men (e.g., erectile-function work); no female-specific pigmentation or safety analysis exists. For the female-studied melanocortin, see bremelanotide (PT-141).

Mechanism

Non-selective agonist at melanocortin receptors: MC1R activation drives melanogenesis (tanning), while MC4R activation produces central effects on appetite and sexual function.

Reported dosing & routes

◐

We don't give dosing or medical advice. The figures below describe what was used in published research, not a recommendation. Decide with your clinician.

Reported range (literature)No approved dose; early studies used subcutaneous dosing (reported for context only, not advice).
Routessubcutaneous
Female-specific dosingNot established

Contraindications: melanoma or atypical/changing nevi (pigmentary changes reported); pregnancy; cardiovascular concerns

Side effects

Reported in the research literature. Sex-specific incidence has not been separately analysed in the available records.

nauseafacial flushingdarkening of moles / new nevispontaneous erections (in men)rare rhabdomyolysis reports

Melanotan II reconstitution calculator

Enter this vial's amount, the bacteriostatic water you add, and a target amount to get the concentration and the U-100 syringe units to draw. Handling arithmetic for research use, not a dose recommendation.

Reconstitution

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Draw for Melanotan II

5
units on a U-100 insulin syringe
020406080100
U-100 insulin syringe — 1 mL = 100 units
That's 0.05 mL drawn to the 5-unit mark.
Concentration5 mg/mL (5,000 mcg/mL)
Volume to draw0.05 mL
Doses per vial40

Reference chart at 5 mg/mL

Target amountVolume (mL)U-100 units
100 mcg0.02 mL2
250 mcg0.05 mL5
500 mcg0.1 mL10
750 mcg0.15 mL15
1000 mcg0.2 mL20

Research-use arithmetic only. This tool converts a vial amount, diluent volume, and a target amount into a concentration and syringe draw for laboratory handling. It is not dosing guidance, a recommendation, or a claim of safety or efficacy, and it does not account for overfill, dead space, or peptide purity. Nothing here is medical advice. “U-100” means 100 units = 1 mL; confirm your syringe graduation before measuring. See the reconstitution & storage handbook for handling detail.

Frequently asked questions

Answers drawn only from Melanotan II's research facts and, where reviewed, its sex-disaggregated evidence. Nothing here is medical advice, dosing, or a claim of safety or efficacy.

What is Melanotan II?

Melanotan II, also known as Melanotan 2, is a research compound in our skin hair category. Melanotan II is a synthetic, non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist sold illicitly as a tanning agent.

Is Melanotan II studied in women?

Melanotan II: of 197 PubMed records, 39 are tagged as including female subjects and 1 carry a sex-analysis tag. We grade this none: no PubMed record for Melanotan II is tagged as including female subjects, so its effects in women are effectively unstudied. That blank is the finding, not a safety signal, and we do not fill it with guesses.

Has Melanotan II been studied during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Contraindicated. No safety data; this is an unregulated compound and should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation. This is not a safety clearance or a recommendation. Vera, our research chat, deliberately hard-stops on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and trying-to-conceive questions rather than answer them.

What evidence grade does Melanotan II have, and why?

Melanotan II carries evidence grade C. Early human data only (Phase 1 / small-n) across 197 indexed studies.. Grades are derived from the research record, never hand-assigned; see how grades work.

Is there a female-specific dose for Melanotan II?

No. A female-specific dose for Melanotan II is not established, and this site does not provide dosing or medical advice. Any figures we show describe what published research used, not a recommendation. Decide anything about use with a qualified clinician.

How is Melanotan II administered in research?

In the published literature, Melanotan II is administered via subcutaneous. Reported dose ranges on the Dosing tab describe what studies used for laboratory research, not a protocol for people. We don't provide dosing.

What side effects have been reported for Melanotan II?

Effects reported in the research literature include nausea, facial flushing, darkening of moles / new nevi, spontaneous erections (in men), rare rhabdomyolysis reports. Sex-specific incidence has not been separately analysed in the available records, so these are not broken out for women.

How should Melanotan II be stored and handled?

Melanotan II sold for research is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Lyophilized peptides are generally kept cold and dry, at roughly -20°C for longer-term storage and 2-8°C short-term, protected from light. Once reconstituted they are typically refrigerated and used within a short window, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles. This is general laboratory handling for research use only, not a directive for human use. Always follow the handling and purity details on the product's Certificate of Analysis.

Where can I buy Melanotan II for research?

Melanotan II is not currently listed by our research-use partner, Aurevena Research, but their catalog carries related compounds. Code research15 applies 15% off. We may earn a commission when you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you. Products are for laboratory research use only.

Browse the Aurevena catalog
Research-use supplier: Melanotan II isn't currently listed by our research-use vendor. Their catalog carries related compounds. Code research15 for 15% off, applied automatically at checkout. We may earn a commission when you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you. Products are for laboratory research use only.
Browse the catalog →

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Educational information for laboratory and research use only. Not medical advice, a recommendation, or a claim of safety or efficacy; no personal dosing. “Unstudied” means no qualifying study was found, not that a compound is safe or unsafe.