Educational, research-use-only content. This article summarizes published scientific literature for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. The compounds discussed are supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and are not approved for human or veterinary use.
What is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that acts on melanocortin receptors, including pathways involved in melanin production (Hjuler & Lorentzen, 2013).
What the literature highlights — including risks
The published record on MT-II is notably cautionary. A dermatology case report described cutaneous melanoma in a young woman whose MT-II self-injection coincided with sunbed use, prompting clinicians to warn about potential hazards of this unlicensed and incompletely tested compound (Hjuler & Lorentzen, 2013). Separately, an analytical study of MT-II products sold illegally online found impurities and vials containing less than the labeled amount, illustrating quality risks of illicit-market material (Breindahl et al., 2014).
The limits and important context
- MT-II is not licensed or approved in the United States or elsewhere; its safety profile is not established, and a melanoma safety signal has been reported.
- This material is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research use only and is not for human use.
References
According to PubMed:
- Hjuler KF, Lorentzen HF. Melanoma associated with the use of melanotan-II. Dermatology. 2013. doi:10.1159/000356389
- Breindahl T, et al. Identification and characterization of melanotan II skin-tanning products sold illegally on the Internet. Drug Test Anal. 2014. doi:10.1002/dta.1655
