α-MSH analogue (cyclic)

Melanotan II

Cyclic α-MSH analogue, the parent of bremelanotide. Unapproved; significant adverse-event profile.

Preclinical only · t½ ~33 min · Not recommended — adverse-event risk

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CPreclinical onlyPreclinicalα-MSH analogue (cyclic)

Also: MT-II

Cyclic α-MSH analogue, the parent of bremelanotide. Unapproved; significant adverse-event profile.

Scientific Consensus Engine

Evidence Intelligence Score

Heuristic — no indexed evidence yet
3.6/ 10
Overall confidence
Insufficient
Outlook
Emerging
Evidence maturity
  1. Preclinical← current
  2. Pilot human
  3. RCT
  4. Multi-RCT
  5. Meta-analysis

Confidence aggregates eight dimensions of evidence — human data, safety maturity, mechanism, clinical readiness, momentum, consistency, long-term follow-up, and translational signal. It is a measure of what is known, not a recommendation. Methodology.

Eight-dimension breakdown
  1. Human evidence
    Weight of RCT and observational data
    3.8
  2. Safety maturity
    Follow-up depth and adverse-event signal
    2.1
  3. Mechanism confidence
    Pathway specificity and clarity
    6.2
  4. Clinical readiness
    Distance to physician-prescribable use
    2.8
  5. Research momentum
    Recency of indexed clinical evidence
    5.0
  6. Study consistency
    Effect direction across cohorts
    3.0
  7. Long-term data
    Follow-up beyond initial trial windows
    1.8
  8. Translational confidence
    Animal → human signal preservation
    4.4
Strongest supported claim

Mechanistic and preclinical evidence is suggestive; controlled human trials are not yet on the index.

Weakest / unclear

Translational confidence is limited until pre-registered human trials reproduce the preclinical signal.

Major unknowns

Interactions outside listed contraindications, long-term safety, and effect heterogeneity across age and sex are not fully resolved.

Scientific outlook

Outlook: speculative. A grade upgrade requires controlled human evidence, not additional preclinical confirmation.

Mechanism
Non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist (MC1, MC3, MC4, MC5).
Clinical evidence · 3 studies indexed

Libido & arousal

1 study

Tanning & pigmentation

1 study

Erectile function

1 study
Observed research protocols · 3 regimens

Erectile function

1 regimen
Clinical trialsource ↗

Nausea (most common, dose-limiting), facial flushing, decreased appetite, yawning, spontaneous erections. Not approved by any regulator.

All published clinical use was short-term; no approved maintenance regimen exists.

Libido & arousal

1 regimen
Clinical trialsource ↗

Nausea, flushing; non-approved investigational use.

Single-dose study; no longitudinal libido data.

Tanning & pigmentation

1 regimen
Clinical trialsource ↗

Nausea, facial flushing, decreased appetite; case reports link melanotan-II use to changes in nevi/melanoma — dermatologic surveillance advised.

Pigmentation faded after discontinuation. Long-term safety not established.

These are observed research regimens drawn from approved labels, clinical trials, or preclinical literature — not dosing recommendations. Suggestive, never prescriptive.

What we don't know yet
  • Long-term safety beyond reported study durations.
  • Effect size in populations under-represented in the cited trials.
  • Interactions with concomitant medications outside listed contraindications.

We surface uncertainty next to every claim. Suggestive, never prescriptive — discuss with a clinician.

Editorial team
Independent · No affiliate revenue
Reviewed quarterly
Brands carrying this peptide

1 brand across three tiers.

Research-use only

1 brand

Sold by chemical suppliers labelled 'for laboratory research only — not for human consumption'. No pharmaceutical-grade QC, no medical oversight. Listed for transparency.