Melanotan II Dosage: Cosmetic Research Protocol

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Dosage and protocol figures on this page are reproduced only from the matching PeptideDosages.com protocol. The 3 ml table is arithmetic based on those source amounts and the listed vial sizes. Educational research only — not instructions or medical advice.

Dosage chart

The dosage amounts and schedules below come only from PeptideDosages.com. Syringe-unit figures are mathematical conversions of those source amounts using exactly 3 ml of bacteriostatic water. Educational reference only — not instructions or medical advice.

Melanotan II · 10 mg Vial

Melanotan II is dosed at 250 mcg–1 mg daily via subcutaneous injection in educational protocols.

Typical daily range: 250–1000 mcg once daily (gradual titration over 8–12 weeks).

Standard / Gradual Titration

Week / Phase	Daily Dose
Week 1	250 mcg (0.25 mg)
Week 2	500 mcg (0.5 mg)
Week 3	750 mcg (0.75 mg)
Weeks 4–8	1000 mcg (1 mg)
Maintenance<br>(after Week 8)	500–1000 mcg<br>(1–2× weekly)

3 ml conversion

Select vial strength

10 mg + 3 ml = 3.33 mg/ml. Choose your vial strength to update the units below.

Source dose	U-100 syringe
250 mcg	7.5 units
500 mcg	15 units
750 mcg	23 units
1000 mcg	30 units

Source chart on peptidedosages.com

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Melanotan II: research background

What Melanotan II Is

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic, cyclic truncated peptide analog of melanocortin, a family of multifunctional peptidergic hormones (PMID 16412534). It is a non-selective melanocortin-receptor agonist (PMID 31953620). Melanotan II is not approved for use on the market due to safety concerns and is used illegally, often for tanning, earning it the nickname "Barbie drug" (PMID 39302005).

How It Is Thought to Work

Melanotan II acts as an agonist for melanocortin receptors (PMID 31953620, PMID 20935665). Melanocortin peptides from hypothalamic neurons are known to induce satiety to limit food intake (PMID 32244188). Studies in humanized mouse models suggest that Melanotan II can restore anorexigenic (appetite-suppressing) responses in mice with certain melanocortin type 4 receptor (MC4R) mutations, which are linked to obesity (PMID 33434184). In zebrafish larvae, Melanotan II demonstrated a higher capacity for melanophore dispersion (skin pigmentation) than human alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) (PMID 34502223). In a chronic decerebration procedure in animals, injections of Melanotan II into the fourth ventricle could trigger gene expression related to thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (PMID 20935665).

What Laboratory and Animal Studies Report

In a zebrafish animal model, Melanotan II showed a higher capacity for melanophore dispersion compared to human α-MSH (PMID 34502223). This finding was consistent with previous results in an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) mouse model where Melanotan II improved ASD behavioral symptoms (PMID 34502223). In humanized mouse models of obesity with MC4R mutations, Melanotan II restored the anorexigenic response (PMID 33434184). Animal studies also suggest that Melanotan II can stimulate thermogenic responses in brown adipose tissue (PMID 20935665).

Human Evidence So Far

In humans, Melanotan II is associated with increased skin pigmentation, spontaneous penile erection, and sexual stimulation (PMID 31953620). However, it has been described as inducing rhabdomyolysis and renal failure (PMID 31953620). A case report attributed a renal infarction, an acute disruption of kidney blood flow, most likely to Melanotan II use (PMID 31953620). There is also a reported case in a 20-year-old woman where Melanotan II use, combined with sunbed tanning, coincided with cutaneous melanoma (PMID 24355990).

Open Questions and Limitations

Melanotan II is an unlicensed drug and has not been completely tested, meaning the full extent and types of adverse effects are unknown (PMID 24355990). Forensic analysis of Melanotan II can be challenging due to its molecular weight and multi-charged nature, which may contribute to its popularity on the illicit market (PMID 39302005). The mechanism of renal injury with Melanotan II may involve thrombotic pharmacological influence and potential direct toxic effects on kidney tissue (PMID 31953620).

Key Terms Explained

Melanocortin-receptor agonist: A substance that activates melanocortin receptors in the body (PMID 31953620). Renal infarction: An uncommon, potentially life-threatening condition caused by an acute disruption of blood flow to the kidney (PMID 31953620). Rhabdomyolysis: A condition where damaged muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the blood (PMID 31953620). Melanophore dispersion: The spreading out of pigment cells, contributing to skin darkening (PMID 34502223). Anorexigenic response: The suppression of appetite (PMID 33434184).

Studies cited in this section

Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report. — CEN case reports, 2020 (PMID 31953620)
Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. — Peptides, 2006 (PMID 16412534)
Hypothalamic POMC deficiency increases circulating adiponectin despite obesity. — Molecular metabolism, 2020 (PMID 32244188)
Pharmacological chaperone action in humanized mouse models of MC4R-linked obesity. — JCI insight, 2021 (PMID 33434184)
Zebrafish Bioassay for Screening Therapeutic Candidates Based on Melanotrophic Activity. — International journal of molecular sciences, 2021 (PMID 34502223)
Sympathetic and sensory innervation of brown adipose tissue. — International journal of obesity (2005), 2010 (PMID 20935665)
Melanoma associated with the use of melanotan-II. — Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland), 2014 (PMID 24355990)
Barbie drug identification: Not a child's play. — Journal of forensic sciences, 2024 (PMID 39302005)

Summarised from the PubMed abstracts listed above. Educational reference only — not medical advice or instructions.

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Melanotan II dosage protocol