Rankings / Hormones & Endocrine
Melanotan II (MT-II)
Hormones & Endocrine · Non-selective melanocortin agonist
Tier C-
High-risk evidence profile
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Melanotan II (MT-II) as C- (4.5/10) based on moderate evidence, med-high benefit magnitude, and a high-risk safety profile.
Its high-risk evidence profile reflects a Safety score of 2/10; reported benefits and harms can differ by indication, dose, route, duration, and population.
Popular for simultaneous tanning + sexual function effect.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 0. — Not FDA-approved anywhere; research peptide; gray market; not individualized guidance.
Citation correction in progress
1 PubMed link was found to be unrelated to this entry and removed from public output. The remaining sources are shown below, but this row's claims and score still need a full source-by-source revalidation.
What the evidence says
Popular for simultaneous tanning + sexual function effect. Mole darkening case reports and at least several melanoma case reports raise concern — not causation-established but concerning in people with dysplastic nevi. Counterfeit/underdosed products widespread.
Mechanism
Non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist (MC1R/3R/4R/5R); MC1R activation induces tanning (melanogenesis); MC4R activation drives libido/erection; never FDA-approved for any use
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
0.25-1 mg subQ per dose (highly individual tolerance)
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about Melanotan II (MT-II)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Melanotan II (MT-II) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med-high, producing an overall grade of C- (4.5/10). Popular for simultaneous tanning + sexual function effect.
- What safety findings are reported for Melanotan II (MT-II)?
- Melanotan II (MT-II) has a high risk profile in the database. High (nausea, flushing, high BP, darkening of existing moles — case reports of melanoma following use; chronic use concerns) Legal status: Not FDA-approved anywhere; research peptide; gray market.
- What does the low Safety score for Melanotan II (MT-II) represent?
- The Safety score is 2/10. It records the substantial harms described for one or more use contexts; the Benefit score, indication, dose, route, duration, population, and legal status remain separate parts of the evidence profile.
- What doses or routes are reported for Melanotan II (MT-II)?
- 0.25-1 mg subQ per dose (highly individual tolerance) This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does Melanotan II (MT-II) work?
- Non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist (MC1R/3R/4R/5R); MC1R activation induces tanning (melanogenesis); MC4R activation drives libido/erection; never FDA-approved for any use
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.