A synthetic cyclic analog of alpha-MSH researched for skin tanning and secondarily appetite and sexual function; not approved, with notable safety concerns.
Unapproved — and actively warned against. Not approved by FDA, EMA, MHRA or TGA for any use. Multiple regulators have issued public safety warnings, seized shipments and taken enforcement action against sellers. (The approved drug afamelanotide/Scenesse is a different molecule.)
Also known as: MT-II, MT2, melanotan 2
A non-selective melanocortin agonist (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R). At skin MC1R it raises cAMP and the PKA-CREB-MITF pathway to drive eumelanin (tanning); centrally MC3R/MC4R suppress appetite and stimulate arousal. It crosses the blood-brain barrier.
MT-II is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist studied experimentally for tanning and sexual arousal — the line of work that led to the more selective PT-141. It reliably darkens skin, but no regulator has judged it safe or effective, and the human data are small, older studies rather than robust modern trials. A significant safety concern: it darkens and can change the appearance of moles, which may mask or complicate melanoma detection, and case reports describe melanoma and rapidly changing pigmented lesions in users. Sold as an unregulated gray-market product, purity and contamination are additional risks.
We report both positive and negative trial results. For exact study protocols, read the sources — we cite them rather than repackage them.
Bars reflect the strength & volume of research evidence for each use — not a guarantee of results.
Nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, spontaneous yawning and stretching, appetite suppression, and darkening of moles and skin. Priapism (prolonged erection) is a recognised serious effect. Regulators emphasise unknown long-term safety and the melanoma-masking concern.
PT-141 — its more receptor-selective, FDA-approved descendant. Afamelanotide (Melanotan I) — the approved melanocortin analog. Combining melanocortin agonists adds overlapping side effects without validated benefit.
Mechanistic context only — we don't publish combinations, amounts or protocols.
Versus PT-141, MT-II is less selective — hitting receptors that drive both pigmentation and arousal, hence more side effects — and, unlike PT-141, has no regulatory approval. Versus afamelanotide it is an unregulated gray-market peptide rather than a controlled prescription product.
No. Regulators worldwide warn against it, and it can darken moles in ways that mask melanoma.
No. PT-141 is a more selective, FDA-approved derivative; MT-II is unapproved and non-selective.
No. Tanning from MT-II does not equate to demonstrated photoprotection, and no regulator accepts it as safe or effective.
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⚠️ Educational research information only — not medical advice. Many peptides are sold strictly for laboratory research and are not approved treatments. The evidence scores reflect research interest and strength, not efficacy or safety for any individual. Always consult a qualified professional.