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Home/Compounds/Melanotan II
Cosmetic

Melanotan II

Also known as: MT-2 · MT2

Synthetic melanocortin peptide researched for tanning, sexual dysfunction, and appetite reduction.

C
Grade C
Animal studies only
Human studies26
PubMed citations30
Typical dose100 mcg – 500 mcg
Routesubcutaneous
Regulatory (US)Research only
Last verified2 days ago
TL;DR · 30-second summary
  • Significant increase in skin pigmentation
  • Improved erectile function in dysfunction patients
  • Appetite suppression observed
  • Concerns about nevi changes require monitoring

Mechanism of action

Non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist affecting MC1R (pigmentation), MC3R/MC4R (sexual function, appetite), and MC5R. Produces multiple systemic effects.

Evidence summary

26
Human studies
30
PubMed citations
1
Clinical trials
C
Evidence grade

Limited clinical trials show effective skin darkening and erectile function improvement. Safety concerns regarding mole changes and cardiovascular effects limit development.

Dosing protocols

Educational information only. Consult a licensed provider before using any peptide.
Dose range
100 mcg – 500 mcg

Loading: 100-250mcg daily until desired tan. Maintenance: 500mcg 1-2x weekly. UV exposure enhances effects.

Administration routes
subcutaneous

Side effects & safety

Reported side effects
NauseaFacial flushingFatigueSpontaneous erectionsMole darkening/changes
Contraindications
  • History of melanoma
  • Numerous atypical nevi
  • Cardiovascular disease

Interactions

No documented drug interactions on file.

Regulatory status

United States
Not FDA approved

Not FDA approved. Sold as research chemical. FDA has issued warnings.

Compounding
Not permitted

Not available via 503A/503B compounding pharmacies.

Regulatory data last verified 4/17/2026

Citations

PMID 39983726Chen H, Deng C et al. · Integrative spatial analysis reveals tumor heterogeneity and immune colony niche related to clinical outcomes in small cell lung cancer.Cancer cell (2025)HumanPMID 40752763Guzmán-Priego CG, Ramos-Rodríguez II et al. · Activation of spinal melatonin MT2 receptors reduces neuropathic pain in mice in a sex-dependent manner.European journal of pharmacology (2025)PMID 40223733Demirdjian S, Naik V et al. · Phenotypic Characterization of Replication-Impaired Lenacapavir-Resistant HIV Clinical Isolates.Journal of medical virology (2025)HumanPMID 41366729Maddahi A, Edvinsson JCA et al. · Expression of melatonin receptors in trigeminal and sphenopalatine ganglia: potential targets for primary headache disorders.The journal of headache and pain (2025)HumanPMID 39599720Bederska-Łojewska D, Szczepanik K et al. · Dietary Zinc Restriction and Chronic Restraint Stress Affect Mice Physiology, Immune Organ Morphology, and Liver Function.Nutrients (2024)HumanPMID 39381792Wang J, Gu J et al. · Melatonin Induces Analgesic Effects through MT2 Receptor-Mediated Neuroimmune Modulation in the Mice Anterior Cingulate Cortex.Research (Washington, D.C.) (2024)HumanPMID 39271015Rao J, Wang Z et al. · XBP1 Facilitating NF-κB-p65 Nuclear Translocation Promotes Macrophage-Originated Sterile Inflammation Via Regulating MT2 Transcription in the Ischemia/Reperfusion Liver.Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology (2024)HumanPMID 38723301You Y, Huang Y et al. · Ketogenic diet time-dependently prevents NAFLD through upregulating the expression of antioxidant protein metallothionein-2.Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2024)PMID 37564204Guan Q, Wang Z et al. · Melatonin Ameliorates Hepatic Ferroptosis in NAFLD by Inhibiting ER Stress via the MT2/cAMP/PKA/IRE1 Signaling Pathway.International journal of biological sciences (2023)HumanPMID 30518272Gitlin-Domagalska A, Mangold M et al. · Matriptase-2: monitoring and inhibiting its proteolytic activity.Future medicinal chemistry (2023)HumanPMID 35983281Gbahou F, Levin S et al. · Luminogenic HiBiT Peptide-Based NanoBRET Ligand Binding Assays for Melatonin Receptors.ACS pharmacology & translational science (2023)HumanPMID 35899960Mahdifar M, Rassouli FB et al. · Galbanic Acid Improves Accumulation and Toxicity of Arsenic Trioxide in MT-2 Cells.Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry (2023)HumanPMID 36889441Wang XL, Schnoor M et al. · Metallothionein-2: An emerging target in inflammatory diseases and cancers.Pharmacology & therapeutics (2023)HumanPMID 35075127Wang Q, Lu Q et al. · Structural basis of the ligand binding and signaling mechanism of melatonin receptors.Nature communications (2022)HumanPMID 35689787Boiko DI, Shkodina AD et al. · Melatonergic Receptors (Mt1/Mt2) as a Potential Additional Target of Novel Drugs for Depression.Neurochemical research (2022)HumanPMID 35188390Tomassi S, Dimmito MP et al. · CLIPSing Melanotan-II to Discover Multiple Functionally Selective hMCR Agonists.Journal of medicinal chemistry (2022)HumanPMID 34607253Patel A, Zhou EW et al. · Melatonin in neuroskeletal biology.Current opinion in pharmacology (2021)HumanPMID 34225974Oishi A, Gbahou F et al. · Melatonin receptors, brain functions, and therapies.Handbook of clinical neurology (2021)HumanPMID 30531911Karamitri A, Jockers R · Melatonin in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.Nature reviews. Endocrinology (2019)HumanPMID 28826164Hidalgo B, Hall T et al. · The efficacy of manual therapy and exercise for treating non-specific neck pain: A systematic review.Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation (2018)Human

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