← All peptides

Melanotan II

Research Use Only
peptideSubcutaneous injection

A synthetic peptide that stimulates your skin to produce more melanin (giving you a tan without UV exposure), suppresses appetite, and boosts libido. Basically a tanning, fat-loss, and sexual function peptide rolled into one.

What to Expect

1

Week 1–2

Nausea common on first doses. Facial flushing. Skin darkening begins within days. Appetite suppression. Possible spontaneous erections.

2

Week 3–6

Significant skin tanning without UV exposure. Sustained appetite suppression. Increased libido. Moles and freckles may darken.

3

Week 8+

Maximum tanning effect reached. Transition to maintenance dosing. Long-term mole monitoring important.

Common Side Effects

Nausea (common initially)Facial flushingAppetite suppressionSpontaneous erectionsMole darkeningFatigue
Tolerance: Pigmentation becomes self-sustaining — reduce to maintenance dose
Cycling: Loading phase 2-3 weeks, then maintenance 1-2x per week as needed. Monitor moles regularly.

Dosing

Loading: 250-500 mcg daily for 2 weeks. Maintenance: 250 mcg once or twice a week.

Practical Guide

Reconstitution

Mix 10mg vial with 2mL BAC water. Loading dose: 250-500mcg. Maintenance: 500mcg 1-2x/week.

Storage

Refrigerate after reconstitution. Use within 30 days. Protect from light.

Injection Sites

Lower abdomenOuter thigh

Subcutaneous with insulin syringe. Start with very low dose (100mcg) to assess nausea tolerance. Anti-nausea medication may help initially.

Timing

Evening dosing — nausea and flushing easier to manage while sleeping. Tanning effects occur with or without UV exposure.

Food

Inject on empty stomach to reduce nausea. Have anti-nausea medication available for first doses.

Benefit Profile

Skin & Hair
6/10
🧬 Fertility & Hormones
5/10
🔥 Fat Loss
4/10

Medical Considerations

Medical oversight strongly recommendedNot safe during pregnancy

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy/nursing
  • History of melanoma or atypical moles
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Autoimmune conditions

Drug Interactions

Antihypertensives (BP fluctuations)Other melanocortin agonists (PT-141)PDE5 inhibitors (additive effects on erections)

Recommended Monitoring

  • Full body mole check before starting and every 3 months
  • Blood pressure monitoring
  • Watch for mole changes, asymmetry, or new growths

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol.

Pricing

VendorVariantPrice
Skye Peptides10mg$29.99
Swiss Chems
FDA warning letter received late 2024
10mg$32.95
Amino Asylum
Reported federal raid in 2025
10mg$24.99BEST
Peptide Sciences
Announced voluntary shutdown
10mg$39.00

Published Research

20 studies indexed(1996–2026)2 clinical trials8 reviews

Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: human studies with Melanotan II.

Wessells H, Levine N, et al.·Int J Impot Res·2000
Clinical Trial

Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study.

Dorr RT, Lines R, et al.·Life Sci·1996
Clinical Trial

Role of Temozolomide Regimen on Survival Outcomes in Molecularly Stratified WHO Grade II Gliomas: A Systematic Review.

Ghaffari-Rafi A, Ghaffari-Rafi S, Leon-Rojas J·Asian J Neurosurg·2021
Review

Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report.

Peters B, Hadimeri H, et al.·CEN Case Rep·2020
Review

Effect of Treatment Modalities on Progression-Free Survival and Overall Survival in Molecularly Subtyped World Health Organization Grade II Diffuse Gliomas: A Systematic Review.

Ghaffari-Rafi A, Samandouras G·World Neurosurg·2020
Review

Melanotan-induced priapism: a hard-earned tan.

Dreyer BA, Amer T, Fraser M·BMJ Case Rep·2019
Review

Metallothionein in Brain Disorders.

Juárez-Rebollar D, Rios C, et al.·Oxid Med Cell Longev·2017
Review

Protective role of metallothionein in chemical and radiation carcinogenesis.

Fujiwara Y, Satoh M·Curr Pharm Biotechnol·2013
Review

A review of metallothionein isoforms and their role in pathophysiology.

Thirumoorthy N, Shyam Sunder A, et al.·World J Surg Oncol·2011
Review

Discovery and development of novel melanogenic drugs. Melanotan-I and -II.

Hadley ME, Hruby VJ, et al.·Pharm Biotechnol·1998
Review
Showing 10 of 20 studies. Search PubMed for the complete list.

Stacks Well With