Melanotan II research

Studies this site relies on

Ordered by strength of design. Conclusions are quoted verbatim from each abstract as indexed by PubMed; read the full paper before relying on any of them.

1. Randomized trial Urology · 2000 PMID 11018622

   Effect of an alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone analog on penile erection and sexual desire in men with organic erectile dysfunction

   Wessells H, Gralnek D, Dorr R, et al.

   The erectogenic properties of Melanotan II are not limited to cases of psychogenic erectile dysfunction; men with a variety of organic risk factors developed penile erections. The finding of increased sexual desire warrants further investigation of centrally acting agents on disorders of sexual desire.

2. Clinical trial J Urol · 1998 PMID 9679884

   Synthetic melanotropic peptide initiates erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study

   Wessells H, Fuciarelli K, Hansen J, et al.

   Melanotan-II is a potent initiator of erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction and has manageable side effects at a dose of 0.025 mg./kg.

3. Phase 1 trial Life Sci · 1996 PMID 8637402

   Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study

   Dorr RT, Lines R, Levine N, et al.

   These results demonstrate that MT-II has tanning activity in humans given only 5 low doses every other day by subcutaneous injection. The recommended single MT-II dose for future Phase I studies is 0.025 mg/kg/day.

4. Primary study Dermatology · 2021 PMID 34464955

   Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums

   Gilhooley E, Daly S, McKenna D

   Motivations for MT II use included the pursuit of a tanned appearance, often in anticipation of sun holidays and fitness/body building competitions. Clinicians should be aware not only of the potential risks in relation to pigmented skin lesions, but also remain cognisant of the other medical hazards associated with the use of this …

5. Primary study Dermatology · 2014 PMID 24355990

   Melanoma associated with the use of melanotan-II

   Hjuler KF, Lorentzen HF

   This observation brings attention to the potential risks related to the use of the cyclic α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogue MT-II. There are several hazardous aspects of the possible widespread use of MT-II. As the drug is unlicensed and incompletely tested, the extent and types of adverse effects are unknown. Clinicians are …

6. Case report Sex Med · 2021 PMID 33460908

   Melanotan Tanning Injection: A Rare Cause of Priapism

   Mallory CW, Lopategui DM, Cordon BH

   Melanotan Tanning Injection: A Rare Cause of Priapism. Sex Med 2021;9:100298.

7. Case report Clin Toxicol (Phila) · 2012 PMID 23121206

   Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis

   Nelson ME, Bryant SM, Aks SE

   Melanotan products are purchased via the Internet and have three main formulations (Melanotan I, Melanotan II, and bremelanotide). Melanotan I increases melanogenesis and eumelanin content to produce sunless tanning. Melanotan II also increases skin pigmentation but also produces spontaneous penile erections and sexual stimulation. …

8. Review CEN Case Rep · 2020 PMID 31953620

   Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report

   Peters B, Hadimeri H, Wahlberg R, et al.

   We present a review of Melanotan II and the possible effects of this drug on the kidneys by including a case of a renal infarction most likely attributed to Melanotan II. In the mechanism of renal injury with Melanotan II, thrombotic pharmacological influence and possible direct toxic effect on renal parenchyma must be considered.

9. Review Int J Dermatol · 2017 PMID 28266027

   Risks of unregulated use of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues: a review

   Habbema L, Halk AB, Neumann M, et al.

   Although conclusive evidence linking these phenomena is lacking, publications have stressed the importance of awareness that melanotan is a part of a 'tanning culture' in certain subpopulations. Multiple national health organizations have issued safety warnings regarding the use of melanotan I and II.

Clinical-trial publications in PubMed

5 records carry PubMed’s clinical-trial publication type. Tagging is done by NLM indexers and occasionally includes secondary analyses.

Newest records

The most recent PubMed additions for this query at the data-edition date, regardless of design.

• Peptides in urology and sexual medicine: clinical effectiveness, dosing, indications, and safety: a narrative review Sex Med Rev · 2026 · Review
• Goldilocks-Inspired Design of Mid-Size Macrocycles for Selective Targeting of Human Melanocortin Receptors J Med Chem · 2026 · Primary study
• Dangers of Injectable Peptides and Other Unregulated "Biohacking" Drugs Mo Med · 2026 · Review
• Combined AGT M235T-ACE I/D genotype and risk of essential hypertension in Vietnamese adults: a hospital-based case-control study BMC Cardiovasc Disord · 2026 · Primary study
• Changes in Oral Mucosa Associated with Melanotan II Injections: A Case Report Life (Basel) · 2026 · Case report
• Pharmacological inhibition of myosin reduces the cytotoxic effect of a Lys49 PLA(2)-like myotoxin on human and rat cardiac muscle Biomed Pharmacother · 2026 · Primary study
• Metallothionein-dependent recovery of alcohol-related liver injury by zinc-glutathione J Nutr Biochem · 2026 · Primary study
• Myotoxin II, a snake venom Lys49 phospholipase A(2) homolog, induces activation of the ryanodine receptor in artificial bilayers Toxicon · 2025 · Primary study
• Melanotan II nasal spray: a possible risk factor for oral mucosal malignant melanoma? Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg · 2025 · Case report
• Detecting the contribution of V5/MT in reading, reading-related tasks, eye-movements and EEG-oscillations in children and adolescents with developmental dyslexia via high-definition tDCS: a protocol study BMC Psychol · 2025 · Clinical trial