Melanotan II Reconstitution Calculator

No. MT2 is unlicensed and sold as an unregulated "research peptide"; Australia's TGA explicitly warns against its use. A pilot Phase I clinical study ran in 1996, but no approval pathway followed (RCT-grade human data begins and ends there). One 2025 analysis found 37 of 100 searches surfaced vendors selling MT2 as injectable, nasal spray, or powder, commonly labeled "for research purposes only". (observational)

Subcutaneous (SC) is the dominant route: users reconstitute lyophilized powder with bacteriostatic water and inject with insulin needles; nasal sprays are also marketed. Route alters central exposure: IV MT-II in rats markedly increased Fos expression and firing of hypothalamic oxytocin neurons, while intranasal delivery did not, suggesting sprays achieve lower CNS concentrations. (animal)

Yes. MT2 activates melanocortin-1 receptors (MC1R) on melanocytes, driving eumelanin production with pigmentation occurring independent of UV exposure. In a 28-person interview study, 100% of users reported skin darkening; motivations included tanning plus sunburn prevention. Pigmentation also appears in oral mucosa (gingiva and buccal mucosa). (case report/qualitative)

No approved dose exists. Community protocols (community protocol) typically use a loading phase of 250-500 mcg SC daily until the desired tan develops, then 250-500 mcg SC 1-2x/week maintenance; forum-reported regimens vary widely. Vials are sold in 2-100 mg quantities. Independent testing of 10 mg-labeled vials found actual content of 4.3-8.8 mg plus 4.1-5.9% impurities, under-dosing and unknown contaminants are the norm. (observational)

Risk is unresolved. Melanoma has been diagnosed in MT2 users, a 20-year-old after a 3-4-week injection course with sunbed use, and melanoma in-situ four weeks after starting pharmacy-compounded MT2. A single dose produced eruptive naevi and darkening of pre-existing naevi within 24 h. Counterpoint: topical MTII suppressed melanoma growth in mice via MC1R-mediated PTEN upregulation and COX-2 inhibition, but that is topical, tumor-directed dosing in an animal model, not SC tanning use. Users often believe eumelanin is photoprotective; that belief outpaces evidence. Dermatologic surveillance is warranted for all users and ex-users. (case reports/animal)

Yes, among the most commonly reported effects. MT2's high MC4R affinity underlies its ED investigation, which led to the FDA-approved derivative bremelanotide (PT141). Users commonly report increased libido and spontaneous erections. Ischemic priapism requiring surgical penoscrotal decompression has occurred after SC injection, and priapism is documented in overdose. This is a potential surgical emergency, not a cosmetic nuisance. (case reports/qualitative)

In animals, yes. Central MTII (1 nmol/day ICV, 6 days) reduced caloric intake, body weight, and visceral adiposity while increasing brown-fat UCP1 thermogenesis in diet-induced obese rats. Its anorectic effect requires beta-arrestin 2 signaling at MC4R neurons, deletion largely abolished MTII hypophagia in mice. Seven-day MTII in the central amygdala reduced food intake and body mass in rats. It is marketed as an appetite suppressant. Human RCT data on appetite or weight do not exist; early-use nausea may itself suppress intake. (animal/mechanistic)

MT2 is illegal or restricted in most jurisdictions, and active TGA warnings mean border seizure risk if traveling with it. Storage: keep lyophilized vials refrigerated; after reconstitution with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate and discard within ~30 days (community protocol). Shared or contaminated products carry infectious-disease risk. Duration of effects: buccal pigmentation nearly resolved one month after stopping, while gingival pigmentation persisted at reduced intensity at three months; skin tan fades gradually over weeks-to-months as eumelanin turns over (community protocol).