Home › Peptides › Melanotan II
Melanotan II dosage and protocol
Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026. Editorial policy
US regulatory status: Off Category 2, review pending
Potent melanocortin peptide for tanning, appetite suppression, and sexual enhancement
- Vial size: 10 mg
- Reconstitution: 3 mL bacteriostatic water
- Concentration: 3.33 mg/mL
- Administration: subcutaneous
Research areas
- Tanning
- Sexual Enhancement
- Appetite Control
- UV Protection
Quick start
- Reconstitute: Add 3 mL bacteriostatic water to the 10 mg vial for about 3.33 mg/mL
- Typical dose: 250 mcg daily, rising weekly to 1000 mcg daily by week 4; then 500-1000 mcg 1-2x weekly
- Easy measuring: At 3.33 mg/mL, 1 unit is about 33.3 mcg on a U-100 syringe; 250 mcg = 7.5 units, 500 mcg = 15 units, 1000 mcg = 30 units
- Storage: Freeze unreconstituted at -20°C; refrigerate after mixing
Dosing protocol
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 250 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.075 mL (7.5 units) |
| Week 2 | 500 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.15 mL (15 units) |
| Week 3 | 750 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.225 mL (22.5 units) |
| Weeks 4–8 | 1000 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.30 mL (30 units) |
| Maintenance (after Week 8) | 500–1000 mcg | 1–2× weekly (SC) | 0.15–0.30 mL |
How it works
Melanotan II is a synthetic, cyclic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It is a non-selective agonist at several melanocortin receptors. Activation of MC1R on melanocytes increases production of eumelanin, the darker pigment, producing a tan even with limited sun exposure. Activation of MC3R and MC4R in the brain affects appetite and sexual function, which explains the reduced appetite and spontaneous erections or increased arousal commonly reported. Melanotan II was developed at the University of Arizona in the 1980s and 1990s and studied in small early human trials for tanning and erectile dysfunction. It was never approved for any use. Its work did lead to bremelanotide (PT-141), a related melanocortin agonist later FDA-approved as Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women, and the related compound afamelanotide (Melanotan I) became an approved drug for a rare photosensitivity disorder. Melanotan II sold online is unregulated, and health agencies in several countries have issued warnings about it. Case reports describe darkening and rapid change of existing moles, new moles, and isolated melanoma diagnoses in users, though causation has not been established. Tanning induced this way should not be assumed to provide meaningful protection against UV damage.
Units chart for a 10 mg vial
| Water added | Strength | 1 unit = | 250 mcg | 500 mcg | 750 mcg | 1 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 10 mg/mL | 100 mcg | 2.5 units | 5 units | 7.5 units | 10 units |
| 2 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg | 5 units | 10 units | 15 units | 20 units |
| 3 mL | 3.33 mg/mL | 33.3 mcg | 7.5 units | 15 units | 22.5 units | 30 units |
Units on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL).
Pages for each vial size and water volume
Reconstitution steps
- Draw 3.0mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe
- Inject slowly down the vial wall to avoid foaming; do not shake vigorously
- Gently roll or swirl the vial until the powder is fully dissolved
- Label the vial with the reconstitution date and store refrigerated at 2–8°C, protected from light
Storage
Evidence: Common practice. What vendors and users usually do. No published stability testing supports a specific number.
- Powder or unopened: Sealed powder: freezer (about −20 °C) for long-term storage, refrigerator for weeks. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening.
- Mixed or in use: Refrigerator, 2–8 °C. Do not freeze and thaw repeatedly.
- Use within: no tested number
- Light: Keep it in the box or another dark container.
Most reconstituted peptides are kept in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) and used within about 28 days. That is a convention, not tested data: the 28 days comes from the USP <797> limit for opened multiple-dose containers, which is about sterility, not about whether the peptide stays intact.
Sources: Crestigen: Peptide storage and handling guide; USP General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding: Sterile Preparations
Store unreconstituted at -20°C. Refrigerate after mixing
Important notes
- Binds to MC1R, MC3R, MC4R for multiple effects
- More intense than Melanotan I with higher side effect profile
- Can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, blood pressure increase
- Do NOT use with PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis)
- Risk of prolonged erection >4 hours
- Do NOT use with skin cancer history
- Requires more skill to dose properly
Supplies
- Bacteriostatic water (2mL)
- Insulin syringes (0.3mL)
- Alcohol swabs