PT-141
Also known as Bremelanotide, Vyleesi
An FDA-approved melanocortin agonist for low sexual desire in premenopausal women, used off-label more broadly.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MD
Reviewed for clinical accuracy · Last reviewed July 22, 2026 · Review policy
Quick answer
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is an FDA-approved melanocortin receptor agonist, sold as Vyleesi for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. It is used off-label more broadly for libido in both sexes, where the evidence is weaker, and it acts on the brain rather than on blood flow like ED drugs.
- Drug class
- Melanocortin receptor agonist
- FDA status
- Approved (Vyleesi, 2019) for HSDD in women
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection (autoinjector)
- Evidence grade
- A (FDA-Approved)
- Banned in sport
- Not specifically listed
Key takeaways
- →PT-141 is FDA-approved as Vyleesi for acquired, generalized HSDD in premenopausal women.
- →It works centrally, on melanocortin pathways in the brain, unlike ED drugs that act on blood flow.
- →Use for male libido and general sexual performance is off-label and less well evidenced.
- →Common side effects include nausea, flushing, and injection-site reactions; it can transiently raise blood pressure.
PT-141, generically bremelanotide and sold as Vyleesi, is one of the few peptides in this reference that is genuinely FDA-approved, which places it in a different tier from research compounds. It is approved for a narrow indication (low sexual desire in premenopausal women), and its wider reputation for boosting libido in men comes from off-label use, where the evidence is thinner.
How PT-141 works
PT-141 activates melanocortin receptors in the central nervous system, influencing sexual desire and arousal through brain pathways rather than by increasing genital blood flow. That mechanism is the key difference from PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra), and it is why PT-141 is described as acting on desire rather than mechanics.
What the evidence shows, by use
Each use is graded on the same A-E scale, based on human-trial quality rather than popularity.
HSDD in premenopausal women
AFDA-ApprovedFDA-approved for this specific indication based on randomized trials showing improved sexual desire and reduced distress.
Male libido / erectile function
CEmerging Human DataUsed off-label and studied in earlier trials, but it is not FDA-approved for men and the evidence is more limited.
Dosing
The FDA-approved product is a fixed-dose subcutaneous autoinjector used as needed before anticipated activity, with a limit on doses per day and per month. Off-label and compounded versions may differ. Dosing should be set by a licensed clinician, particularly given the blood-pressure effect.
Side effects
- •Nausea · Common
- •Flushing · Common
- •Injection-site reactions · Common
- •Headache · Less common
Legal & regulatory status
PT-141 is FDA-approved as Vyleesi for HSDD in premenopausal women and is legal with a prescription. Use for other purposes or via compounding is off-label.
Is PT-141legal? 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
What is PT-141 approved for?+
It is FDA-approved as Vyleesi for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women.
Does PT-141 work for men?+
It is used off-label for male libido and was studied earlier for erectile dysfunction, but it is not FDA-approved for men and the evidence there is more limited.
How is PT-141 different from Viagra?+
PT-141 acts on melanocortin pathways in the brain to influence desire, whereas Viagra and similar drugs increase genital blood flow. They work through entirely different mechanisms.
How we grade evidence
Grade A: FDA-Approved. Approved by the FDA for at least one indication, supported by large randomized controlled trials. Our A-E scale reflects the strength of human evidence, not how popular a compound is.
Sources
- 1.Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs database · U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- 2.Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers · U.S. Food & Drug Administration