Melanotan II Side Effects: What Studies and Users Report
What FDA labels and clinical studies report for Melanotan II, how strong that evidence is, and what is still unknown.
Side effects reported in studies
Side effects reported in published studies, strongest design first. Frequencies are quoted as the source gives them; animal results are labelled.
| Side effect | How common | Study type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Severe nausea | 12.9% at 0.025 mg/kg | Human controlled trialn = 20 | International journal of impotence research 2000, PMID 11035391 |
| Nausea and yawning“Nausea and yawning were frequently reported side effects due to Melanotan II” | Frequency not stated | Human controlled trialn = 20 | International journal of impotence research 2000, PMID 11035391 |
| Somnolence and fatigue | 1 of 2 subjects at 0.03 mg/kg | Human controlled trialn = 3 | Life sciences 1996, PMID 8637402 |
| Nausea“Mild nausea, not requiring antiemetic treatment, was reported at most MT-II dose levels.” | Frequency not stated | Human controlled trialn = 3 | Life sciences 1996, PMID 8637402 |
| Spontaneous penile erections“A stretching and yawning complex appeared to correlate with the onset of spontaneous, penile erections which were intermittently experienced for 1-5 hours after MT-II dosing, depending on the MT-II dose.” | Frequency not stated | Human controlled trialn = 3 | Life sciences 1996, PMID 8637402 |
| Oral mucosal malignant melanoma“Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a mucosal malignant melanoma.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery 2025, PMID 40210573 |
| Sympathomimetic symptoms“He suffered from sympathomimetic symptoms and was treated with lorazepam, supplemental potassium and intravenous fluid resuscitation.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde 2022, PMID 35736369 |
| Medical hazards of unregulated use“namely transmission of infectious diseases, use of potentially contaminated products, polypharmacy, and sunbed exposure” | Frequency not stated | Human observationaln = 205 | Dermatology 2021, PMID 34464955 |
| Renal infarction“We present a review of Melanotan II and the possible effects of this drug on the kidneys by including a case of a renal infarction most likely attributed to Melanotan II.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | CEN case reports 2020, PMID 31953620 |
| Low-flow priapism“This case study presents a patient attending the accident and emergency department, in a tertiary urology centre, with acute priapism after abdominal subcutaneous injection of melanotan.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | BMJ case reports 2019, PMID 30796078 |
| Persistent erectile dysfunction“The patient avoided requiring surgical shunting but had not yet recovered erectile function at 4-week follow-up.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | BMJ case reports 2019, PMID 30796078 |
| Nausea self-managed with benzodiazepines“She appeared assured in the self-administration of double dosage and self-management of nausea with benzodiazepines and by injecting before sleep.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | The International journal on drug policy 2014, PMID 24280586 |
| Tolerance and dependence awareness“Development of tolerance and awareness of dependence on synthetic tanning agents was described.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | The International journal on drug policy 2014, PMID 24280586 |
| Cutaneous melanoma“The melanocytic lesion was excised, and histology confirmed the diagnosis of melanoma.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | Dermatology 2014, PMID 24355990 |
| Intense pigmentation“Furthermore, her skin was universally intensely pigmented.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | Dermatology 2014, PMID 24355990 |
| Atypical naevi“We report a patient who developed multiple new onset atypical naevi within one week of receiving two Melanotan injections.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | Irish medical journal 2013, PMID 23914578 |
| Melanoma in situ“We report a case of melanotan-associated melanoma in situ.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | The Australasian journal of dermatology 2012, PMID 22724573 |
| Systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis“Melanotan II use resulted in systemic toxicity including apparent sympathomimetic symptoms, rhabdomyolysis, and renal dysfunction.” | Frequency not stated | Human case reportn = 1 | Clinical toxicology 2012, PMID 23121206 |
| Creatine kinase peak | CPK 17773 IU/L | Human case reportn = 1 | Clinical toxicology 2012, PMID 23121206 |
What is not known
- How common each effect is at the doses people use outside of studies.
- Effects that take longer to appear than the length of the published studies.
- How Melanotan II interacts with other medicines and supplements.
- Whether research-grade products, which are not checked by the FDA, behave like the material used in studies.
When to get medical help
Get urgent care for: trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, a widespread rash, severe or lasting stomach pain, fainting, or an injection site that becomes hot, red and spreading.
This is not a complete list. A doctor or pharmacist can help you judge whether a symptom is related.
Common questions
What are the side effects of Melanotan II?
Studies we summarise reported severe nausea, nausea and yawning, somnolence and fatigue. The table on this page gives how often each happened and links each source.
Is Melanotan II safe?
Its safety has not been established by an FDA review. Melanotan II is not FDA approved for any use. Research-chemical products are not checked for purity or dose.
More on Melanotan II
DosageDoses used in published studies, with the source for each.CalculatorVial, water and dose to syringe units.ResultsStudy outcomes and when they were measured.PricePrice per mg and per week from dated listings. No vendor links.Legal statusFDA, compounding and WADA status with dates.How to injectSites, syringe types and hygiene, step by step.
Sources
- 1Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: human studies with Melanotan II.International journal of impotence research · 2000PMID 11035391Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 2Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study.Life sciences · 1996PMID 8637402Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 3Melanotan II nasal spray: a possible risk factor for oral mucosal malignant melanoma?International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery · 2025PMID 40210573Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 4[The risks of tanning with the Barbie drug].Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde · 2022PMID 35736369Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 5Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums.Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021PMID 34464955Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 6Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report.CEN case reports · 2020PMID 31953620Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 7Melanotan-induced priapism: a hard-earned tan.BMJ case reports · 2019PMID 30796078Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 8An in-depth case examination of an exotic dancer's experience of melanotan.The International journal on drug policy · 2014PMID 24280586Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 9Melanoma associated with the use of melanotan-II.Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) · 2014PMID 24355990Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 10Atypical melanocytic naevi following melanotan injection.Irish medical journal · 2013PMID 23914578Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 11Melanotan-associated melanoma in situ.The Australasian journal of dermatology · 2012PMID 22724573Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 12Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis.Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) · 2012PMID 23121206Accessed 2 Oct 2026
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