*Doses are commonly-reported figures from public sources, not a recommendation. Educational only.
| Year | Title / venue | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Melanotan-II reverses memory impairment induced by a short-term HF diet Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · preclinical | PMID 37478579 |
| 2022 | CLIPSing Melanotan-II to Discover Multiple Functionally Selective hMCR Agonists Journal of medicinal chemistry · preclinical | PMID 35188390 |
| 2022 | Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food Neuropeptides · preclinical | PMID 36155088 |
| 2021 | Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) · preclinical | PMID 34464955 |
| 2020 | Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report CEN case reports · human | PMID 31953620 |
| 2019 | Melanotan-II reverses autistic features in a maternal immune activation mouse model of autism PloS one · preclinical | PMID 30629642 |
| 2019 | Eruptive Melanocytic Nevi: A Review American journal of clinical dermatology · preclinical | PMID 31119650 |
| 2019 | Melanotan-induced priapism: a hard-earned tan BMJ case reports · human | PMID 30796078 |
| 2015 | [Undesirable pigmentation] Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete · preclinical | PMID 26315100 |
| 2014 | Melanoma associated with the use of melanotan-II Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) · preclinical | PMID 24355990 |
| 2012 | Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) · human | PMID 23121206 |
| 2009 | Use of melanotan I and II in the general population BMJ (Clinical research ed.) · preclinical | PMID 19224885 |
| 2006 | Melanotan-II: Investigation of the inducer and facilitator effects on penile erection in anaesthetized rat Neuroscience · preclinical | PMID 16360286 |
| 2002 | Co-treatment with melanotan-II, a potent melanocortin, does not protect against cisplatin ototoxicity Hearing research · preclinical | PMID 12361873 |
| 1996 | Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study Life sciences · human | PMID 8637402 |
Melanotan II (Melanotan II (MT-II)). Synthetic non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist. Stimulates melanogenesis (MC1R) producing skin tanning; also has appetite and sexual-function effects via MC4R.
Commonly discussed uses: skin tanning (cosmetic, research), libido (anecdotal). There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Note: most uses are not approved indications.
Mechanism: Synthetic non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist. Stimulates melanogenesis (MC1R) producing skin tanning; also has appetite and sexual-function effects via MC4R.
Reported considerations: nausea, facial flushing, spontaneous erections, darkening of moles/new nevi, concerns re: melanoma surveillance. There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Subject of explicit safety warnings from TGA/FDA/MHRA, particularly regarding skin cancer/mole monitoring. Not approved anywhere. This is not a safety endorsement; safety data for unapproved compounds is incomplete.
Commonly cited ranges (educational reference, not a recommendation): low loading 250mcg/day, typical loading then 500mcg-1mg 2x/week maintenance, high 1mg/day (higher side-effect risk). Administration: subcutaneous. Half-life: ~hours.
Australian status: Prohibited import without authorisation; not ARTG-registered; TGA-warned product. Subject of explicit safety warnings from TGA/FDA/MHRA, particularly regarding skin cancer/mole monitoring. Not approved anywhere. General regulatory context: most active peptides are Schedule 4 and require a prescription; import via the Personal Importation Scheme requires a valid Australian prescription for prescription-only goods.
Reconstitution/storage reference: 1-2ml BAC water per 10mg vial; storage: refrigerated; light-protected.
Commonly discussed combinations (anecdotal for unapproved compounds): used standalone. Stacking increases interaction/safety uncertainty.