Introduction How it works Side effects Sexual dysfunction Drug interactions Safety measures
Melanotan II is an unlicensed and largely untested form of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which causes pigmentation (tanning) of human skin. Melanotan II is a variant of melanotan I (afamelanotide), a drug used in the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Melanotan II is not approved for the treatment of any medical conditions currently. It has been reported to cause a wide range of potentially serious side effects. Warnings against its use have been issued from the US, UK and several other countries.
Melanotan II non-selectively mimics the action of melanocortin peptides. These are natural hormones involved with pigmentation, energy homeostasis, sexual functioning, the immune system, inflammation, and the cardiovascular system. Much like melanotan I (afamelanotide), melanotan II stimulates the production of eumelanin, causing the skin to go darker (tanning).
Melanotan II is usually administered as an injection of liquid underneath the skin, commonly every second day. Trials have shown that the tanning effect can occur within 5 doses.
Short term side effects after administration include:
Long term, there is concern that melanotan II may increase the risk of:
There is also concern about possible side effects due to contamination or lack of sterility if melanotan II is prepared incorrectly or needles are shared.
During clinic trials for its use as a tanning agent, melanotan II was found to be a potent stimulator of male erections. A new drug based on melanotan II, bremelanotide, was developed to take advantage of this property. It has been noted across several studies to increase rigidity and duration of male erection, as well as male sexual desire. It has also been shown to increase female sexual desire in patients with sexual arousal disorder.
No specific drug interactions have not been identified with melanotan II.
Melanotan II has not been fully tested, and due to its potential side effects it is not recommended that anybody use this drug.
No evidence exists for the use of melatonin II in pregnancy or breast feeding but it is recommended that it should be avoided.
Approved datasheets are the official source of information for medicines, including approved uses, doses, and safety information. Check the individual datasheet in your country for information about medicines.
We suggest you refer to your national drug approval agency such as the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), UK Medicines and Healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA) / emc, and NZ Medsafe, or a national or state-approved formulary eg, the New Zealand Formulary (NZF) and New Zealand Formulary for Children (NZFC) and the British National Formulary (BNF) and British National Formulary for Children (BNFC).
