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A powerful but unapproved tanning peptide — with real safety warnings from regulators.
Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026 · How we rate evidence · Report an error
Melanotan II is a short, cyclic version of α-MSH developed in the 1990s. It darkens skin strongly and also affects appetite and sexual arousal — PT-141 (bremelanotide) was developed from it. It was never approved anywhere, and regulators in the US, UK and Australia have warned the public about unlicensed tanning injections and nasal sprays.
A non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist. MC1R activation drives tanning; MC3R/MC4R activation in the brain affects appetite and sexual function. That lack of selectivity is why side effects are common.
Evidence
3/5
Small, older human pilot studies (tanning; erectile function) plus a long list of case reports of harms. No modern trials and no approval.
Half-life
Roughly 1 hour or less (short); tan builds over repeated doses
Known as
MT-II, MT2, 'Barbie drug'
Compare Melanotan II with: Melanotan IPT-141or any other →
Some human dataSmall or older human trials, or bigger trials with mixed or negative results.
Small, older human pilot studies (tanning; erectile function) plus a long list of case reports of harms. No modern trials and no approval. How we rate evidence
Darkened skin in small early human studies, even with little sun.
Triggered erections in small pilot studies in men; this led to the development of PT-141.
Commonly reported by users.
“Anecdotal” means reported by users, not shown in controlled trials. Sources
Not recommendations. These are commonly cited ranges, shown so you can see what real-world use looks like.
| Plan | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community (test dose) Users commonly start this low to gauge nausea and flushing. | 100 mcg | Once | First dose only | Subcutaneous |
| Community (loading) Range 250–500 mcg cited. Higher doses mainly add side effects. | 250 mcg | Once daily or every other day | 1–3 weeks until desired color | Subcutaneous |
| Community (maintenance) | 250 mcg | 1–2× per week | As needed | Subcutaneous |
Set up for Melanotan II. Switch vial size any time. Educational math only, not dosing advice.
At a common mix of 10 mg of Melanotan II in 4 mL of water (2.5 mg/mL), these commonly reported doses come to the following on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL). They are examples of the arithmetic, not recommendations.
| Reported plan | Dose | Draw to | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community (test dose) Under 5 units is hard to measure accurately. Add more diluent for an easier draw. | 100 mcg | 4 units | 0.04 mL |
| Community (loading) | 250 mcg | 10 units | 0.1 mL |
Concentration (mg/mL) = vial mg ÷ mL of water; units = dose (mg) ÷ concentration × 100. A different vial size or amount of water changes every number above.
Amino Club sells Melanotan II as a research chemical. Its listings are research-use-only and not for human use; we show them for price tracking and their published lab reports.
Research-use-only listing — not for human use.
40% off through our link (code MYPEPSINFO applies automatically), until Dec 31, 2026.
| Size | Price | Per mg | Stock | Latest COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | $17.97 | $1.80 | In stock | 99.83% pure, lot MII0002 ILS Labs, tested Jul 30, 2026 |
Research-use-only listing — not for human use.
40% off through our link (code MYPEPSINFO applies automatically), until Dec 31, 2026.
| Size | Price | Per mg | Stock | Latest COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 mg | $35.99 | $2.40 | In stock | Passed, lot SMII0001 Ethos Analytical, tested Aug 20, 2026 |
List price, checked daily since Oct 7.
| Oct 7, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 8, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 9, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 11, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 12, 2026 | $29.95 | |
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| Oct 19, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 20, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 21, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 22, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 23, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 25, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 26, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 27, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 28, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Oct 31, 2026 | $29.95 | |
| Nov 1, 2026 | $29.95 |
HPLC purity from each published lab report; lowest 99.58%.
| May 29, 2026 | 99.58% | lot MII0001 |
| Jul 30, 2026 | 99.83% | lot MII0002 |
Amino Club list prices as of Nov 1, 2026; sale prices include the 40% applied through our link. Multi-buy: 2+ units 5% off, 3+ units 7.5% off, 10+ units 40% off. Prices change; confirm on the listing.
An email when it’s back in stock, its price drops, a sale starts, or its FDA or WADA status changes.
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All Melanotan II lab reports, lot by lot →
Diluent: Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) — allows multiple draws from one vial.
Amazon affiliate links. Disclosure
Powder
Freezer / fridge
Keep sealed vial in the freezer (−20 °C) for long-term storage; fridge (2–8 °C) is fine for a few weeks. Keep dry and out of light.
After mixing
~28 days
Refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Never freeze after mixing. Keep upright, capped, and out of light.
Travel
Keep cool
Short trips at room temperature are generally fine for powder; keep mixed vials cold.
Melanotan II has never been approved by the FDA or any other regulator. In 2007 the FDA issued a warning letter to a US distributor for illegally marketing it as a tanning agent and skin-cancer preventive. Its derivative PT-141 (bremelanotide, Vyleesi) is approved, but that is a different compound. Melanotan II was in FDA compounding Category 2 until April 2026, when its nomination was withdrawn; an FDA advisory committee is due to review it by February 2027.
Regulations change often — verify with the FDA, EMA, MHRA, Health Canada, TGA and WADA before acting.
It avoids needles, but the drug and its risks are the same. Spray dosing is also less precise.
It isn't selective — besides the tanning receptor, it activates brain receptors that control appetite and sexual arousal.
Darker skin gives some extra protection, but MT-II also raises mole and melanoma concerns. It is not a substitute for sunscreen.
It depends on the mix. At a common mix of 10 mg of Melanotan II in 4 mL of water (2.5 mg/mL), 100 mcg is 4 units (0.04 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe. The formula is dose in mg ÷ concentration in mg/mL × 100. Change the vial size or water in the calculator and the units update. This is math, not a dose recommendation.
Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) — allows multiple draws from one vial. A common mix is 10 mg + 4 mL, which gives 2.5 mg/mL. Less water makes a stronger mix and fewer units per dose; more water makes a weaker mix and more units. Pick the amount that lands your dose on an easy-to-read line.
Refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Never freeze after mixing. Keep upright, capped, and out of light. Plan on about 28 days once it is mixed, and discard it sooner if it turns cloudy or has particles. The calculator shows how long a vial lasts at your dose and flags a vial that outlasts its shelf life.
Evidence rating (3/5): Small, older human pilot studies (tanning; erectile function) plus a long list of case reports of harms. No modern trials and no approval.
Legal status: Melanotan II has never been approved by the FDA or any other regulator. In 2007 the FDA issued a warning letter to a US distributor for illegally marketing it as a tanning agent and skin-cancer preventive. Its derivative PT-141 (bremelanotide, Vyleesi) is approved, but that is a different compound. Melanotan II was in FDA compounding Category 2 until April 2026, when its nomination was withdrawn; an FDA advisory committee is due to review it by February 2027.
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