Melanotan II
Dosage Protocol
Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic analog of α-MSH that broadly activates melanocortin receptors MC1R through MC4R. While it produces rapid, potent tanning and sexual arousal effects, its non-selectivity means it carries a more complex side effect profile than Melanotan I. It is not FDA-approved and is used exclusively as a research compound.
What is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II was developed at the University of Arizona as a potent melanocortin agonist, initially with the goal of producing a 'sunless tan' for photoprotection. Its cyclic structure (cyclo[Nle4, Asp5, D-Phe7, Lys10]-α-MSH(4-10)) confers exceptional potency and receptor breadth — activating all four melanocortin receptors (MC1–4R) with high affinity.
MC4R activation produces its well-known sexual arousal effects (spontaneous erections in males, increased sexual desire), while MC3R activation is associated with appetite suppression and MC1R drives melanogenesis. These combined effects have generated significant research interest for erectile dysfunction, female sexual arousal disorder, and melanogenesis — but also account for its significant side effect profile.
Dosing Schedule
Parameters documented in published preclinical and clinical research.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 0.25 mg | Daily SubQ (evening) | Days 1–5 | Very low starting dose to assess nausea and flushing tolerance. |
| Loading | 0.5–1 mg | Daily SubQ | Weeks 1–4 | Increase gradually per tolerance. Take before sleep to sleep through nausea. |
| Maintenance | 0.5 mg | Every 2–3 days | Per protocol | Lower-frequency maintenance once target pigmentation achieved. |
| Acute use | 0.5–1 mg | 1–2h before activity | As needed | Pre-activity dosing for sexual arousal effect research. |
Safety & Side Effects
Academic References
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[1]
Dorr RT, et al. (1996). Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study. Life Sci. 58(20):1777–84. PubMed ↗
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[2]
Wessells H, et al. (1998). Effect of an alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone analog on penile erection and sexual desire in men with organic erectile dysfunction. Urology. 51(6):1024–7. PubMed ↗
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[3]
Hadley ME, Dorr RT. (2006). Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. Peptides. 27(4):921–30. PubMed ↗
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[4]
King SH, et al. (2007). Melanotan II treatment and penile erection in rats with a cavernous nerve crush injury. J Urol. 177(1):362–6. PubMed ↗