Compounds / Melanotan II

Melanotan II

Also known as: MT-II, MT2, melanotan 2

Early clinical Not FDA-approved · subject of regulatory warnings Category: Melanocortin

The compounds described in this library are research-use-labeled chemicals and are not FDA-approved for human use. This content is factual scientific reference drawn from published literature. It is not medical, dosing, or purchasing advice. VialReport does not sell, supply, or distribute any compound.

Short summary

A synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that stimulates melanogenesis. Not FDA-approved, and the subject of consumer safety warnings from regulators in several countries.

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Origin and Development

Developed at the University of Arizona from research on melanocortin peptides, initially in the context of photoprotection through induced pigmentation. A related molecule from the same program, PT-141, was developed separately for a different indication.

Mechanism as Understood in the Literature

Non-selective agonist at melanocortin receptors, including MC1R, which mediates melanogenesis, and MC4R, which is involved in appetite and sexual function. That non-selectivity is why it produces effects beyond pigmentation.

Research Status

Human studies exist from its development period, examining pigmentation and other melanocortin-mediated effects. It did not proceed to approval. Regulatory bodies in several countries, including the FDA and agencies in the UK and Australia, have issued warnings about unapproved products containing it.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved for any indication. Unapproved Melanotan II products have been the subject of international regulatory warnings. Published case reports describe serious events including melanoma diagnoses, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, sympathomimetic toxicity, and priapism, named here as the published serious adverse event categories, with the caveat that case reports cannot by themselves establish causation but are material safety signals. Was on the FDA's Category 2 bulk drug substances list and is among the substances under consideration for further review.

Commonly Confused With

Distinct from PT-141 (bremelanotide), which came out of the same research program but is a different molecule with a selective profile and an FDA approval. Also distinct from afamelanotide (Scenesse), a related melanocortin analogue that is FDA-approved for a rare photosensitivity disorder. The three are frequently discussed together and are not interchangeable.

How This Compound Is Marketed

Vendor marketing for this compound typically references tanning and pigmentation. VialReport does not evaluate or endorse these claims. See Research Status above for what the published literature actually establishes.

Analytical Profile

A cyclic heptapeptide, molecular weight approximately 1024 Da. The cyclic structure is a distinguishing analytical feature relative to the linear peptides in most of this library.

Stability and Handling

Supplied lyophilized. Stability depends on molecular form, formulation, moisture, container closure, temperature, and reconstitution conditions, and published stability data may not apply to material sold through research channels.

Key Literature

  1. 01 Dorr RT, et al. Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study. Life Sci. 1996;58(20):1777-1784.
  2. 02 Hadley ME, Dorr RT. Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. Peptides. 2006;27(4):921-930.

VialReport publishes factual reference information and independent test data. Nothing here is medical, dosing, or purchasing advice.

Published reports

Reports for Melanotan II

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