Is Melanotan 2 the same as Melanotan 1?

No. Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) is a selective MC1R agonist, FDA-approved under the name Scenesse for a specific rare condition. Melanotan 2 is non-selective, which is why it affects pigmentation, appetite, and sexual function simultaneously.

Does Melanotan 2 require UV exposure to work?

No — pigmentation can occur without UV exposure over a full loading period, though brief UV exposure is sometimes noted as accelerating visible results.

How long does reconstituted Melanotan 2 last?

Refrigerated, roughly 1–2 weeks. Freezing single-use aliquots extends usable shelf life significantly longer.

How do you reconstitute Melanotan 2?

The most common dilution is a 10 mg vial with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water, yielding 5,000 mcg/mL — a 500 mcg dose is 10 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. A 3 mL dilution (3.33 mg/mL) is also common when finer dose control is wanted.

What are the main safety concerns with Melanotan 2 in the research literature?

Dermatology literature specifically flags darkening and altered appearance of existing moles, which can mask or mimic early melanoma warning signs. Nausea and flushing are the most commonly reported effects, spontaneous erections are a documented MC4R-mediated effect, and overdose case reports describe severe toxicity including rhabdomyolysis. Melanotan 2 is not FDA-approved and is illegal to sell for human use in the US, UK, and Australia.

RESEARCH PROTOCOL

Melanotan 2 (MT-2): Reconstitution, Dosing Reference & Research Overview

A non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist studied as a non-UV route to melanogenesis — reconstitution math, dosing ranges, and the safety notes that matter, for research context only.

Open the Calculator →

What Is Melanotan 2?

Melanotan 2 (MT-2) is a synthetic cyclic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), developed at the University of Arizona in the 1980s–90s as a non-UV route to melanogenesis for skin cancer prevention research. Its lactam bridge gives it a compact, enzyme-resistant structure roughly 1,000× more potent than natural α-MSH at MC1R.

It is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist — MC1R (pigmentation), MC3R, MC4R (appetite, libido), and MC5R — which is why its studied effects extend well past tanning into appetite suppression and sexual arousal. It has never received FDA approval and remains classified strictly as a research compound.

Mechanism

MC1R activation on melanocytes drives eumelanin production — the pigment pathway responsible for skin darkening independent of UV exposure.

The same non-selectivity that produces MT-2's off-target effects (MC4R-driven libido and appetite changes) is also what ended its clinical development path. Researchers later pursued more selective compounds — afamelanotide (Melanotan 1) for photoprotection, and PT-141 for sexual dysfunction — specifically to avoid MT-2's broader receptor activity.

Reconstitution & Calculator

Most common dilution: a 10 mg vial plus 2 mL of bacteriostatic water → 5,000 mcg/mL, where 500 mcg is 10 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. A 3 mL dilution (3.33 mg/mL) is also common when finer dose control is wanted. Add the BAC water slowly down the side of the vial, swirl gently until fully dissolved, and refrigerate.

Calculate your exact draw

Calculate Your Melanotan 2 Dose →View Full Dosage Chart

Dosing Reference Chart

Phase	Typical Range	Frequency	Notes
Initial tolerance check	100–250 mcg	Once daily	Start low regardless of eventual target — nausea response is the limiting factor early on
Loading	250–500 mcg	Once daily	Community protocols run 2–3 weeks; some published dosing frameworks reference up to 1 mg/day
Maintenance	250–500 mcg	1–2× weekly	To hold pigmentation once desired depth is reached

No standardized clinical dosing protocol exists for MT-2 — the ranges above reflect published research frameworks and documented community protocols, not a recommended regimen.

Safety & Research Notes

This is the section we'd rather over-explain than under-explain.

Mole and pigmented-lesion changes

MT-2 can darken and alter the appearance of existing moles. Dermatology literature flags this specifically because it can mask or mimic changes that are otherwise an early melanoma warning sign — anyone with atypical or numerous moles should treat this as a serious consideration, not a footnote.

Nausea and flushing

The most commonly reported effects, concentrated in the first several doses — which is why research frameworks typically start at lower initial doses to assess tolerance.

Spontaneous erections / priapism

A documented MC4R-mediated effect, reported at standard research doses.

Overdose toxicity

Case reports describe severe toxicity, including rhabdomyolysis, at doses well above standard research ranges.

Not FDA-approved

Illegal to sell for human use in the US, UK, and Australia. This page is a research and educational reference only — not a treatment plan or medical advice.

Storage & Stability

State	Storage	Shelf Life
Lyophilized (unmixed)	Freeze at -20°C (-4°F) or colder; protect from light	Long-term stable
Reconstituted vial	Refrigerate 2–8°C (35.6–46.4°F); protect from light	1–2 weeks
Single-use aliquots	Freeze; avoid repeat freeze-thaw cycles	Extended research timeline

Avoid repeat freeze-thaw cycles — split into single-use aliquots if planning a longer research timeline. Discard if cloudiness or particles persist after gentle mixing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

→ Peptide Calculator for exact syringe draw math
→ Full Peptide Dosage Chart to compare across compounds

Recommended Supplier

PSPeptides carries third-party tested, research-grade peptides with published COAs.

Discount Code: BANANAS10

Shop PSPeptides →

Affiliate disclosure: The Protocol Kit earns a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for research and educational purposes only. Melanotan 2 is not approved by the FDA for human use and is illegal to sell for human consumption in the US, UK, and Australia. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.