Melanotan II

Common questions about Melanotan II

What is melanotan II?

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic non-selective melanocortin-receptor agonist. It is studied for tanning effects (via MC1R) and for sexual-arousal endpoints (via MC4R), and is the parent compound from which the more selective bremelanotide (PT-141) was derived.

Is melanotan II FDA-approved?

No. Melanotan II is not approved by the FDA, MHRA, Health Canada, or the TGA for any indication. It is sold by research-peptide vendors as a research compound only.

What is the half-life of melanotan II?

Pepticker does not publish a quantitative plasma half-life for melanotan II — published pharmacokinetic data in humans are limited compared to its more selective derivative PT-141 (bremelanotide), and ranges reported in the literature vary by route.

What dose of melanotan II is used in research?

Doses reported in published preclinical and self-experimentation literature vary widely by route and endpoint. Pepticker does not publish a dosing protocol — non-selective melanocortin agonism produces side effects (nausea, hyperpigmentation patterns) that researchers should review in the original literature before designing any protocol.

How is melanotan II different from PT-141?

Melanotan II is non-selective across the melanocortin receptors and produces strong pigmentation (MC1R) effects. PT-141 (bremelanotide) is more selective for MC4R, which is why it was developed clinically for sexual-arousal indications without the pigmentation pattern.

Is melanotan II legal?

Melanotan II is sold for research use in the US, Canada, and the UK. In Australia it is TGA Schedule 4 and personal import is tightly controlled. Status is informational — not legal advice.

Editorial summary of published research. Not medical advice. See /methodology for sourcing.