yes i take peptides · shopping companion

Melanotan II

MT-II

Category · For SkinStatus · RUOCitations · 60Cancer Concern

The verdict

No. No defensible MT-II use case survives once you compare it to the cleaner molecules in its own family — afamelanotide (MT-I, Scenesse) for pigmentation and PT-141 (Vyleesi) for libido.

By source — cost, legality, risk

Brand
Not available
None — no FDA approval, no approval anywhere
No legal branded MT-II; PT-141 / Vyleesi is the only approved melanocortin agonist.
Compounded 503A pharmacy
Not meaningfully available
Not legitimately compounded for cosmetic use
Documented melanoma case reports + the existence of Vyleesi as the legal alternative mean almost no compounder will ship MT-II.
RUO research peptide
$25–$60/mo
Sold 'for research only'
Highest. The dominant channel. Cardiovascular and melanoma case reports apply regardless of source quality.
Gray-market raw
$4–$8/mo
Unregulated overseas import
Crypto/Wise pay; one 10mg×10 box covers years at typical cyclical dosing. Same melanoma + cardiovascular concerns as RUO.

Stop signals · abort if

Stop and see a dermatologist for: any new mole, any change in an existing mole (ABCDE
asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution), any non-healing pigmented lesion. Stop for: chest pain, persistent severe headache, severe nausea, mood changes, sustained BP elevation

Sources · top 5 of 60

01Todorovic M, et al. 5-Hydroxypyrroloindoline Affords Tryptathionine and 2,2'-bis-Indole Peptide Staples: Application to Melanotan-II. Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany). 2024;30(19):e202304270. PMID: 38285527.
02Wekwejt P, et al. Melanotan-II reverses memory impairment induced by a short-term HF diet. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. 2023;165:115129. PMID: 37478579.
03Peters B, et al. Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report. CEN case reports. 2020;9(2):159-161. PMID: 31953620.
04Gilhooley E, et al. Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums. Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland). 2021;237(6):995-999. PMID: 34464955.
05Evans-Brown M, et al. Use of melanotan I and II in the general population. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 2009;338:b566. PMID: 19224885.