Melanotan II
Melanotan II is not approved as a tanning product. The early human evidence is extremely small; regulators warn about products that have not been assessed and serious safety reports.
Peptipedia explains research and prescribing information. It does not replace medical advice and is not an invitation to use a substance.
Research areas
Evidence matrix
- Molecular identity
- Confirmed
Melanotan II is the cyclic melanocortin analogue defined in the pilot study. This does not confirm the identity, purity or content of unapproved tanning products.
- Human research
- Very limited
- Replication
- Single research group
- Clinical endpoints
- Surrogate measures
- Safety
- Limited characterization
- Approval
- No documented approval
The dimensions are presented separately and are not combined into an overall score.
What the source shows
The pilot study included only three men. TGA reports with Melanotan II include increased moles and freckles, plus reports of kidney dysfunction and swelling of the brain.
- Increased eumelanin expression and tanning is induced by a superpotent melanotropin [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH in humansHuman study1996
Dorr RT et al.
Accessed:
- TGA: Don’t risk using tanning products containing melanotanRegulatory source2025
Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration
Accessed:
Research gaps
- ·The pilot does not establish a safe tanning product; quality, content and long-term effects of unapproved products are uncertain.
- ·Short profile: not a complete benefit–risk assessment. Unlisted contraindications and interactions are not adequately established in this profile; missing information does not establish safety.
Mechanism
Melanocortin pathways affect pigmentation and sexual responses; this does not establish safe cosmetic benefit.
- Increased eumelanin expression and tanning is induced by a superpotent melanotropin [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH in humansHuman study1996
Dorr RT et al.
Accessed:
Study protocols
No sufficiently supported, exactly citable study protocols are available.
Calculator
Arithmetic based only on your entries. Not a dose or use recommendation.
Reported adverse effects
- ·Evidence is insufficient; absence of data is not evidence of safety. Reported effects included nausea, fatigue and spontaneous erections. A case report describes ischaemic priapism, an acute medical emergency; FDA notes published case reports of serious events including melanoma and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. These reports do not establish frequency or causality, but are relevant safety signals.
Contraindications and warnings
No reviewed information on this point has been recorded here yet. This does not mean there are no risks or contraindications.
Interactions
No reviewed information on this point has been recorded here yet. This does not mean there are no risks or contraindications.
Research gaps
- ·The pilot does not establish a safe tanning product; quality, content and long-term effects of unapproved products are uncertain.
- ·Short profile: not a complete benefit–risk assessment. Unlisted contraindications and interactions are not adequately established in this profile; missing information does not establish safety.
- TGA: Don’t risk using tanning products containing melanotanRegulatory source2025
Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration
Accessed:
- FDA: certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risksRegulatory source2026
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Accessed:
Sources
Sources checked: · Version 3
- Increased eumelanin expression and tanning is induced by a superpotent melanotropin [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH in humansHuman study1996
Dorr RT et al.
Accessed:
- TGA: Don’t risk using tanning products containing melanotanRegulatory source2025
Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration
Accessed:
- Melanotan tanning injection: a rare cause of priapismHuman study2021
Mallory CW; Lopategui DM; Cordon BH
Accessed:
- FDA: certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risksRegulatory source2026
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Accessed: