Description

Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of the peptide hormone α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that stimulates melanogenesis to facilitate tanning. It may also increase sexual arousal.

It was developed as a successor to afamelanotide (“Melanotan I”), an FDA approved drug operating through a similar pathway. Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals intended to offer it as a cosmetic, but abandoned this pursuit in the 2000s due to regulatory restrictions and concerns about the promotion of suntanning. Unlicensed Melanotan II is found on the internet, although health agencies advise against its use due to legality and a lack of testing.