--- title: "MT-2 (Melanotan II) | PepTracker Pro" url: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/mt-2 description: "A melanocortin receptor agonist studied for tanning, sexual function, and appetite suppression." lang: en --- Skip to main content **Educational information only.** This site does not provide medical advice. Read full disclaimer (https://peptrackerpro.com/disclaimer) **Research-only content.** This page is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Read full disclaimer → (https://peptrackerpro.com/research-disclaimer) # MT-2 (Melanotan II) Medium Evidence A melanocortin receptor agonist studied for tanning, sexual function, and appetite suppression. Aliases Melanotan II +1 more Evidence Medium Evidence Last Updated 2026-06-26 Reading Time 2 min ## What It Is Melanotan II (MT-2) is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that binds to melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R) with broad activity. It was originally developed at the University of Arizona for skin tanning via MC1R-mediated melanogenesis, but its non-selective melanocortin receptor binding produces multiple effects including appetite suppression (MC4R), sexual arousal (MC4R/MC3R), and modulation of inflammatory pathways. MT-2 has been extensively studied in preclinical and small clinical settings for erectile dysfunction and female sexual arousal disorder, though its non-selective receptor profile produces unpredictable side effects including nausea, facial flushing, and involuntary erections. The more selective MC4R agonist bremelanotide (PT-141/Vyleesi) was developed from MT-2 to isolate the sexual function effects and gained FDA approval in 2019 for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women. Melanotan II has been associated with melanoma-related safety concerns — case reports have documented atypical nevi (mole changes) and rare melanoma diagnoses in users, though causality has not been established in controlled studies. As of May 2026, MT-2 is expected to remain on the FDA's Category 2 restricted list, likely staying prohibited from compounding due to its safety profile concerns. It is classified as a prohibited substance by WADA and is not FDA-approved for any indication. Also known as: Melanotan II, Melanotan 2 ## Regulatory Status Category 1 — Bulk Compounding (PCAC review before February 2027) Removed from Category 2 in the FDA's April 2026 reclassification. MT-2 (Melanotan II) is in the second PCAC session group (alongside LL-37, Dihexa, GHK-Cu injectable, and PEG-MGF) scheduled before February 2027. Effective: April 2026 View FDA Source (https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding) ## Why Researchers Study It Melanotan II is studied for its unique ability to activate multiple melanocortin receptor subtypes simultaneously. Its broad-spectrum activity has provided key insights into melanocortin receptor pharmacology and led directly to the development of the FDA-approved drug bremelanotide (PT-141). Current research interest centers on understanding MC4R-mediated appetite suppression and the relationship between melanogenesis stimulation and melanoma risk. ## Proposed Mechanisms - Binds MC1R on melanocytes, stimulating melanin production (tanning effect) - Activates MC4R in the hypothalamus, producing appetite suppression and sexual arousal - Non-selective binding to MC3R and MC5R contributes to metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects - Increases intracellular cAMP in melanocytes via MC1R activation - May modulate inflammatory cytokine production through central melanocortin signaling ## Evidence Snapshot Medium Evidence Low Medium High ## Commonly Discussed Benefits Pigmentation: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/pigmentation Sexual Health: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/sexual-health Fat Loss: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/fat-loss Researching MT-2 (Melanotan II)? Track it, set reminders, and keep notes in the free app. Track in App (https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=mt-2) ## Safety & Cautions - Not approved by any regulatory agency - Multiple off-target effects due to non-selective receptor activation - Reports of nausea, facial flushing, and elevated blood pressure - Unregulated sources pose significant quality risks - May darken existing moles — dermatological monitoring advised ## Comparisons See how MT-2 (Melanotan II) compares to related peptides: MT-2 (Melanotan II) vs MT-1 (Melanotan I): https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/mt-2-vs-mt-1 MT-2 (Melanotan II) vs PT-141: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/mt-2-vs-pt-141 MT-2 (Melanotan II) vs Setmelanotide: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/mt-2-vs-setmelanotide ## Calculator Tools Use our research tools to explore dosing and reconstitution data: Reconstitution Calculator: https://peptrackerpro.com/calculators ## Citations 1. [1] Dorr RT. et al. — Effects of a superpotent melanotropic peptide. Life Sci. 1996 PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) ### Keep researching in the app - Log MT-2 (Melanotan II) to your private tracker - Set a dosing reminder - Compare it side-by-side with your stack Open PepTracker Pro Free: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=mt-2 Browse more peptides: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides ## Related Peptides ### MT-1 (Melanotan I) High Evidence A melanocortin receptor agonist FDA-approved (in Europe) for preventing phototoxicity in erythropoietic protoporphyria. Pigmentation: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/pigmentation Skin: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/skin View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/mt-1 \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=mt-1 Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=mt-1 ### PT-141 High Evidence A melanocortin receptor agonist FDA-approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. Sexual Health: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/sexual-health View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/pt-141 \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=pt-141 Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=pt-141 ### Setmelanotide High Evidence A once-daily subcutaneous cyclic octapeptide melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist, FDA-approved for several rare genetic and acquired forms of obesity that act through the leptin-melanocortin pathway. Weight Management: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/weight-management Appetite Regulation: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/appetite-regulation View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/setmelanotide \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=setmelanotide Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=setmelanotide ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "PepTracker Pro", "url": "https://peptrackerpro.com", "logo": "https://peptrackerpro.com/favicon.png", "description": "Evidence-based educational resource dedicated to improving peptide research literacy.", "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "email": "hello@peptrackerpro.com", "contactType": "customer support" }, "sameAs": [] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "MedicalWebPage", "name": "MT-2 (Melanotan II)", "description": "A melanocortin receptor agonist studied for tanning, sexual function, and appetite suppression.", "url": "https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/mt-2", "lastReviewed": "2026-06-26", "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "PepTracker Pro Research Team", "url": "https://peptrackerpro.com" }, "isPartOf": { "@type": "WebSite", "name": "PepTracker Pro", "url": "https://peptrackerpro.com" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://peptrackerpro.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Peptides", "item": "https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "MT-2 (Melanotan II)", "item": "https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/mt-2" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "People researching melanocortin pharmacology?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "MT-2 (Melanotan II) is a research peptide studied in preclinical models. 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