Melanotan II
Other ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Synthetic melanocortin agonist sold online for tanning and libido claims. It is not an FDA-approved consumer product, and FDA cites published serious adverse-event case reports.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This safety record covers a controlled, investigational, or otherwise out-of-scope substance. It remains available for reference, but it is not part of NutriStack's public supplement publication set.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Melanotan II is an other most often used for no approved wellness use, human efficacy evidence is insufficient for consumer guidance, reference-only safety profile. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as insufficient. A typical adult dose is Not provided; NutriStack does not provide dosing guidance for research peptides., commonly taken as not supported for human use outside approved clinical research or regulated medical care. This profile indexes 4 sources.
- No approved wellness use
- Human efficacy evidence is insufficient for consumer guidance
- Reference-only safety profile4
- Unknown product purity, potency, and sterility risk outside regulated drug supply
- Injection-site reactions or infection risk with injectable products
- Immune reactions are possible with peptide impurities or aggregation
- Pregnancy or nursing
- History of cancer or active malignancy unless specifically cleared by an oncologist
The bottom line
Evidence rating insufficient. Most-documented uses: no approved wellness use, human efficacy evidence is insufficient for consumer guidance, reference-only safety profile. 4 sources indexed (2012–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Melanocortin receptor agonism can stimulate melanogenesis and affect sexual/arousal pathways, but unregulated products create dermatologic, cardiovascular, neurologic, and purity risks.
Dosing & protocol.
Route-specific guidance is intentionally not provided for unapproved research peptides.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Unknown product purity, potency, and sterility risk outside regulated drug supply
- Injection-site reactions or infection risk with injectable products
- Immune reactions are possible with peptide impurities or aggregation
Contraindications
- Pregnancy or nursing
- History of cancer or active malignancy unless specifically cleared by an oncologist
- Use by competitive athletes subject to anti-doping rules
- Use without clinician supervision
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Reviews & position papers
1- 1Risks of unregulated use of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues: a reviewSource linkedPMIDHabbema L et al. · Int J Dermatol · 2017
Review highlights risks from unregulated alpha-MSH analog use.
Observational studies
2- 2Melanotan Tanning Injection: A Rare Cause of PriapismSource linkedPMIDMallory CW et al. · Sex Med · 2021
Case report linking melanotan tanning injection exposure to priapism.
- 3Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysisSource linkedPMIDNelson ME et al. · Clin Toxicol · 2012
Case report of systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis after Melanotan II injection.
Reference material
1- 4Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety RisksSource linkedURLU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA · 2026
FDA flags immunogenicity/impurity concerns and cites serious adverse events including melanoma, PRES, sympathomimetic toxidrome, and priapism.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Melanotan II, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Melanotan II?
Synthetic melanocortin agonist sold online for tanning and libido claims. It is not an FDA-approved consumer product, and FDA cites published serious adverse-event case reports.
What is Melanotan II used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Melanotan II include: No approved wellness use; Human efficacy evidence is insufficient for consumer guidance; Reference-only safety profile. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as insufficient.
What is a typical dose of Melanotan II?
A typical adult dose of Melanotan II is Not provided; NutriStack does not provide dosing guidance for research peptides.. The commonly recommended form is Not supported for human use outside approved clinical research or regulated medical care. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Melanotan II?
Reported side effects include unknown product purity, potency, and sterility risk outside regulated drug supply, injection-site reactions or infection risk with injectable products, immune reactions are possible with peptide impurities or aggregation. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Melanotan II?
NutriStack rates this as Insufficient, meaning the body of evidence reviewed in NutriStack's tiering framework. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Melanotan II in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.