A to Z / Pigmentation

Melanotan II

Also known as MT-II, MT2, the tanning peptide.

Best known for The injectable tanning peptide

Evidence★☆☆☆☆

Safety dataPoorly characterised

Route injectable (subcutaneous) · nasal (sold · not studied)

United StatesNot approved

AustraliaSchedule 4 (Prescription Only)

as at 16 September 2026

What it is

Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), the hormone that triggers pigment production. It was developed in university research and did not progress to approval. It is not approved anywhere, and it is widely used for tanning without sun exposure.

It has the most documented consumer harm of any compound in this book, and one of the few with an enforcement history in Australia.

A regulatory point worth stating clearly: Melanotan II is sometimes described as rescheduled to Schedule 9 (Prohibited Substance). It was not. The current Poisons Standard lists it as Schedule 4 only.{{CITE:susmp-2026-06}}{{CITE:tga-mr-2026-05-21-mt2}}

What the full entry covers

The book carries the rest of this entry:

Where the research stands, with every claim cited
What people commonly ask, and what the research shows so far
Dosing in four labelled bands, described and not recommended
Side effects, serious risks, cautions and interactions
Questions to discuss with your doctor
How it compares with Melanotan I, PT-141

Related entries

Melanotan IThe melanotan that became an approved medicine · Evidence ★★★★☆
PT-141The approved libido medicine, also used outside prescription · Evidence ★★★★☆

A certificate of analysis tells you what is in a vial. The evidence rating above tells you whether the compound has been shown to work in humans. Neither answers the other's question. How to read a certificate of analysis.

This page describes what is known and not known about Melanotan II. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use it.