Melanotan II
Melanotan II (MT-II)
Bronze tan + libido
Sexual Health ★ 65
Half-life
~1 hour
Cycle
Loading 4-8 weeks, then low-dose maintenance.
Storage
Lyophilized: freezer. Reconstituted: 2-8°C, 4-6 weeks.
Research
Not approved — research compound
About
A cyclic melanocortin receptor agonist — developed as a tanning peptide. Also has libido effects.
Mechanism
Activates MC1R (melanin, tanning) and MC3R/MC4R (libido, appetite).
Dosage
250 mcg
1x per day (loading)
0102030405060708090100
Draw to 7.5 units on a U-100 insulin syringe
10 mg · 3 mL BAC
Route
SubQ
Duration
4-8 weeks loading
When to take: In the evening (usually). UV exposure (sun/tanning bed) is needed for 1-2 days after dosing to activate the tan.
Reconstitution
Vial size (mg): 10 mg · BAC water (mL): 3 mL · Concentration: 3.33 mg/mL
10 units on an insulin syringe = 333 mcg.
Benefits
- Dark and long-lasting tan
- Sunburn protection (theoretical)
- Increased libido
- Reduced appetite (bonus)
Side effects
- Nausea (common at first)
- Flushing
- Darkening of freckles and moles
- Spontaneous erections (men)
- IMPORTANT: monitor any new or changed moles
Gender notes
Sometimes causes unexpected erections initially. Lower doses are often sufficient.
Cautions
- History of melanoma
- Many moles on the skin
- Familial dysplastic nevus syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Cardiovascular disease
Research
- Dorr RT et al: Melanotan II safety study
Life Sciences · 1996
Early clinical trial of MT-II in healthy volunteers.
- Hadley ME: Discovery of melanocortin sexual function
Peptides · 2005
Review of the discovery that melanocortins regulate sexual function.