Melanotan II
Also known as MT-II, Melanotan 2
A melanocortin agonist used for tanning and libido, with notable safety concerns and no FDA approval.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MD
Reviewed for clinical accuracy · Last reviewed July 22, 2026 · Review policy
Quick answer
Melanotan II is a synthetic melanocortin agonist used to darken skin (tanning) and, secondarily, for libido and erections. It is not FDA-approved, and it carries notable safety concerns including changes to moles, nausea, and prolonged erections (priapism). Health authorities have warned against it.
- Drug class
- Melanocortin receptor agonist
- FDA status
- Not approved
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection
- Evidence grade
- D (Preclinical Only)
- Banned in sport
- Not specifically listed
Key takeaways
- →Melanotan II stimulates melanin production to darken skin, and also activates pathways affecting sexual arousal.
- →It is not FDA-approved, and multiple health authorities have issued warnings against its use.
- →Notable safety concerns include darkening or changes to moles, nausea, and prolonged erections (priapism).
- →Because it affects pigmentation, changes to existing moles are a specific reason for caution and monitoring.
Melanotan II is one of the peptides where safety concerns, not just weak evidence, dominate the picture. It is a synthetic melanocortin agonist used mainly to darken skin without sun exposure, with libido and erection effects as a secondary draw. It is not FDA-approved, and regulators in several countries have specifically warned consumers against it.
How Melanotan II works
Melanotan II activates melanocortin receptors, stimulating melanocytes to produce more melanin (darkening skin) and influencing central pathways involved in sexual arousal. The same broad receptor activity is behind both its intended effects and several of its side effects.
What the evidence shows, by use
Each use is graded on the same A-E scale, based on human-trial quality rather than popularity.
Skin tanning
DPreclinical OnlyIt does darken skin, but it is unapproved and the safety trade-offs, including effects on moles, are significant.
Libido / erectile effects
DPreclinical OnlyRelated to the approved peptide PT-141, but Melanotan II itself is unapproved and less characterized for this use.
Dosing
Melanotan II is not approved and has no validated dose. It is sold as a research chemical of unverified quality. Given the documented safety concerns, this is a compound where the more important message is caution rather than a dosing framework; a licensed clinician should be involved in any decision.
Side effects
- •Nausea · Common
- •Facial flushing · Common
- •Darkening or change in moles and freckles · Common
- •Prolonged erections (priapism) · Less common
Legal & regulatory status
Melanotan II is not FDA-approved and is sold as a research chemical. Regulators in several countries have warned against its use.
Is Melanotan IIlegal? Full regulatory status →Where to get it: TeleRanked independently ranks the telehealth providers that offer clinician-prescribed peptides. See our Sexual Health rankings. We rank providers, we do not sell compounds, and rankings are never for sale.
Frequently asked questions
Is Melanotan II safe?+
It carries notable safety concerns, including changes to moles (relevant to skin-cancer monitoring), nausea, and prolonged erections (priapism). It is unapproved, and regulators have warned against it.
Is Melanotan II the same as PT-141?+
They are related melanocortin agonists. PT-141 (bremelanotide) is FDA-approved for a specific indication; Melanotan II is not approved and is used mainly for tanning.
How we grade evidence
Grade D: Preclinical Only. Evidence is largely limited to animal or laboratory studies; human data is minimal or absent. Our A-E scale reflects the strength of human evidence, not how popular a compound is.
Sources
- 1.Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers · U.S. Food & Drug Administration