Comparison
Two melanocortin peptides: one approved for low libido, one used for tanning. Below, each one is shown with its status, the state of the human evidence and what named experts have said, word for word.
iNot medical advice. We don’t recommend any peptide or dose, and this page does not say which one is “better”. Every dose below is a quote from the person named.
| PT-141 (bremelanotide) | Melanotan II | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A US medicine for low sexual desire in women (Vyleesi). | An unapproved tanning injection that also affects libido. |
| Category | Sexual health & tanning | Sexual health & tanning |
| Status | US prescription medicine (Vyleesi, 2019); not authorised in EU/UK | Not approved anywhere; regulator warnings |
| How well studied in people | Approved medicine | Small human studies |
| Experts quoted | 4 | 4 |
| Dose statements | 2 | 2 |
Statements filed under one of them that also mention the other.
“out of all the choices that we have, I would forego Melanotan 2, I would forego PT-141, I would forego Selank […] And even though I got a libido boost from PT-141, it's not anywhere close to the libido boost I got from Semax.”
Context: Comparing compounds he has tried for libido. He gives no PT-141 dose. The cut removes his comment on Selank.
One statement per expert (the earliest), out of 2 statements on the full page. Quotes are word for word, with cuts marked […].
“PT-141 is dosed at typically 1 to 2 milligrams subq and it's used on an as needed basis, roughly 1 to two hours before you know you know what. For most of the clients that I work with, the sweet spot is two to three times per week throughout the cycle and as needed dose in layering on top of that when you actually want it. […] Start at the lower end though because PT-141 can cause a transient nausea and facial flushing.”
Context: The cut removes his explanation of keeping the pathway “responsive”. He says in his videos that he is not a doctor.
“Doing can be anywhere between a half to one and a half milligrams per dose, administered about 45 to 60 minutes before playtime. You can actually use the injection or nasal, but I noticed the injection is much better. But here's the important part. Maximum usage three times per week. This isn't something that you want to use daily.”
Context: “Doing” is how the captions render “Dosing”. The section is about PT-141 (bremelanotide).
All PT-141 (bremelanotide) statements, safety and research →
One statement per expert (the earliest), out of 2 statements on the full page. Quotes are word for word, with cuts marked […].
“Assess response to a very low dose first (50-75 mcg), and taper up from there. […] It took me weeks before I had even reached a dose of 250 mcg pre-tanning. […] I eventually made my way all the way up to 500 mcg pre-tanning (this took a couple months). […] Now, I can maintain a very dark and healthy looking tan with only one 250 mcg shot per week and a little bit of UV exposure.”
Context: From “The Best Melanotan II Protocol” section of his article (published 26 Apr 2016, updated 12 Jan 2023), which he calls a “hypothetical” protocol that he learned from a researcher online and follows himself. Cuts remove sentences on side effects and freckling.
These are the conditions used in the clinical trials that led to approval in women. They are not a guide for other uses.
See the studies on the PT-141 (bremelanotide) page
Melanotan II was only tested in very small early studies in the 1990s, dosed by body weight under supervision. Case reports since then describe melanomas in users. None of this establishes a safe dose.
PT-141 is available from PeptidesX10.
Compiled from the quotes and research already on each peptide page. Last updated 11 Oct 2026. More comparisons · Glossary