Melanotan II, also called MT-II or MT-2, is a peptide promoted online for tanning. For this page, the citable human evidence is very limited: one recruiting vitiligo trial directly names MT-II, while the supplied PubMed records do not support specific MT-II efficacy or safety claims 1. Melanotan II is not FDA-approved for tanning, pigmentation, or vitiligo treatment; the vitiligo study described here is investigational. Chia does not offer Melanotan II.
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See if you qualify →What it is
Melanotan II is a name patients often see alongside MT-II, MT-2, tanning peptide, pigmentation peptide, melanocortin agonist, melanocortin receptors, and the alpha-MSH pathway. The directly relevant citable record supplied here is a registered trial titled “Melanotan II (MT-II) as an Adjunct to NB-UVB Phototherapy for Repigmentation in Stable Nonsegmental Vitiligo” 1.
Names to recognize
The names Melanotan II, MT-II, and MT-2 are used for the same search topic in many patient questions. The one supplied trial registry record uses “Melanotan II (MT-II)” in the study title and describes the study population as people with stable nonsegmental vitiligo 1.
How it is commonly marketed online
Patients often find Melanotan II through online claims about tanning, pigmentation, libido, hair color, or weight-related effects. This page separates those marketing claims from the citable evidence supplied for this article, because the listed PubMed records do not test Melanotan II for those outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5.
Why this page separates marketing claims from evidence
A study title about another treatment is not evidence for MT-II. For example, the supplied randomized PubMed records include mindfulness training during pregnancy, ramelteon for insomnia, resistance exercise in older women, and lenacapavir resistance—not Melanotan II outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5.
Mechanism of action
Melanotan II is often described online as acting through the melanocortin system, including melanocortin receptors and the alpha-MSH pathway. However, the supplied evidence pool does not include a Melanotan II mechanism paper, so this article cannot use those records to prove a tanning, pigmentation, libido, hair-color, or weight-loss outcome in people.
A receptor idea is not the same as a patient result. Even when a compound has a proposed pathway, human outcomes still need direct human studies that measure the outcome being claimed. In the supplied records, the only directly named MT-II human study is a recruiting Phase 2 vitiligo trial with a target enrollment of 60 participants 1.
| Claim type | What would be needed | What the supplied sources allow us to say |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism claim | A direct MT-II mechanism source | No supplied MT-II mechanism paper is available. |
| Tanning or pigmentation outcome | A human MT-II study measuring tanning or repigmentation outcomes | One registered Phase 2 trial is studying MT-II with NB-UVB phototherapy in stable nonsegmental vitiligo 1. |
| Libido, hair-color, or weight claim | Direct human MT-II studies for those endpoints | The supplied PubMed records do not support those MT-II-specific claims 2, 3, 5. |
Evidence
Melanotan II has an assigned search-count evidence grade of A for this retrieval. That means the broad search found two or more human randomized controlled trials indexed in PubMed, but the specific supplied PubMed records are not usable for MT-II-specific efficacy or safety conclusions.
The most relevant supplied record is not a completed PubMed paper. It is a ClinicalTrials.gov record for a recruiting Phase 2 study of Melanotan II as an adjunct to NB-UVB phototherapy for repigmentation in stable nonsegmental vitiligo, with an enrollment target of 60 participants 1.
The other supplied records are useful for transparency because they show why we are not making stronger claims. They include ramelteon sleep trials, an exercise trial, a mindfulness trial, antiviral drug studies, and other unrelated topics 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13.
Evidence quantity is not the same as proven benefit
Evidence grade A describes the quantity and design of indexed evidence retrieved by the broad query, not whether Melanotan II works and not whether it is safe. A strong patient claim still needs direct studies of the same compound, outcome, population, and dose.
Why unrelated PubMed records should not be used as MT-II evidence
Ramelteon trials can support statements about ramelteon, not MT-II 3, 6, 7, 8. HIV-drug resistance and antiviral records can support statements about those drugs, not MT-II 5, 9. The same rule applies to mindfulness training, resistance exercise, motor imagery, metallothionein expression, agomelatine, and shunt-interaction records 2, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13.
What studies exist
| Year | Design | Study | Journal | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Randomised controlled trial | Emphasizing mindfulness training in acceptance relieves anxiety and depression during pregnancy | Psychiatry research | PMID 35413533 |
| 2009 | Randomised controlled trial | The effects of ramelteon in a first-night model of transient insomnia | Sleep medicine | PMID 18691937 |
| 2025 | Randomised controlled trial | Long-term effects of progressive high-speed resistance exercise in older women with low muscle strength: a randomized clinical trial | The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences | PMID 41021476 |
| 2022 | Randomised controlled trial | Phenotypic resistance to lenacapavir and monotherapy efficacy in a proof-of-concept clinical study | The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy | PMID 35028668 |
| 2006 | Randomised controlled trial | Effects of ramelteon on patient-reported sleep latency in older adults with chronic insomnia | Sleep medicine | PMID 16709464 |
| 2007 | Randomised controlled trial | Age and gender effects on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ramelteon, a hypnotic agent acting via melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 | Journal of clinical pharmacology | PMID 17389558 |
| 2010 | Randomised controlled trial | Effects of the melatonin MT-1/MT-2 agonist ramelteon on daytime body temperature and sleep | Sleep | PMID 20550024 |
| 1996 | Randomised controlled trial | Drug resistance and virologic response in NUCA 3001, a randomized trial of lamivudine (3TC) versus zidovudine (ZDV) versus ZDV plus 3TC in previously untreated patients | AIDS (London, England) | PMID 8853730 |
| 2005 | Clinical trial | Exercise-induced metallothionein expression in human skeletal muscle fibres | Experimental physiology | PMID 15640275 |
| 2007 | Clinical trial | Agomelatine in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder | Psychopharmacology | PMID 17171557 |
| 2008 | Randomised controlled trial | Magnetic field interactions in adjustable hydrocephalus shunts | Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics | PMID 18759607 |
| 2021 | Randomised controlled trial | Effects of task complexity or rate of motor imagery on motor learning in healthy young adults | Brain and behavior | PMID 34612612 |
| Registration | Phase | Status | Enrolment | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07437560 | PHASE2 | RECRUITING | 60 | Melanotan II (MT-II) as an Adjunct to NB-UVB Phototherapy for Repigmentation in Stable Nonsegmental Vitiligo |
This table is retrieved from PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov rather than assembled by hand, so it shows what is indexed — including the absences. Last retrieved 2026-09-10.
Reported dosing ranges
Melanotan II dosing advice is not provided here. The supplied evidence does not support a recommended patient dose range, and online dosing calculators should not replace medical evaluation.
The directly relevant ClinicalTrials.gov record identifies MT-II as part of a study with NB-UVB phototherapy in stable nonsegmental vitiligo, but this article is not using it to provide patient instructions 1.
| Source of range | Reported dosing range | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Supplied published human MT-II papers | No usable published human dosing range supplied | No patient dosing advice can be drawn from the supplied PubMed records. |
| Registered MT-II vitiligo trial | Not provided here as patient dosing guidance | The trial is listed as recruiting, Phase 2, n=60; trial design is not a self-use protocol 1. |
| Online or research-chemical claims | Not evidence-supported in this article | Online dose claims are not a substitute for a clinician’s review. |
Legal status
Our regulatory log holds no confirmed federal action for Melanotan II. That means we have not found one with a primary source — not that none exists.
This section is generated from a dated log of federal actions rather than written by hand, and it is re-checked daily against the Federal Register and FDA sources. Last checked 2026-09-10. See the full legal-status tracker for every compound we follow.
Safety
Melanotan II safety cannot be summarized with confidence from the supplied PubMed records because those records do not report MT-II-specific adverse effects. That is not reassurance; it is an evidence limit.
This is why we avoid treating online marketing language as clinical evidence. The supplied records include studies on ramelteon, mindfulness training, resistance exercise, antiviral therapy, agomelatine, motor imagery, and other unrelated topics, so they should not be used to infer MT-II safety 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13.
Skin and pigment-change concerns
Because the directly relevant registered study involves repigmentation in stable nonsegmental vitiligo, skin and pigment questions belong in a clinician visit rather than a self-directed experiment 1. A clinician can decide whether a changing mole, rash, pigmentation change, or history of skin disease needs in-person dermatology care.
Research-chemical supply concerns
A research-chemical seller is not the same as a medical evaluation, a prescription, or a licensed pharmacy relationship. For any peptide injection or nasal product, identity, sterility, impurities, storage, and labeling matter; those are practical safety questions to raise with a licensed clinician.
If your main question is broader peptide safety, our guide to peptides side effects explains the kinds of risks patients should discuss before treatment. Our overview of peptide shots also explains why route, sourcing, and clinician oversight matter.
Interactions
Melanotan II interaction studies are not available in the supplied evidence pool. No supplied record tests MT-II with prescription medications, supplements, tanning devices, NB-UVB protocols outside the registered trial context, or common health conditions.
That means this page cannot say MT-II has no interactions. It can only say the supplied records do not document them. A clinician review would usually cover skin history, changing moles, pregnancy status, blood pressure history, medication list, supplement use, photosensitivity concerns, and UV exposure questions.
How to obtain it legally
Melanotan II is not offered by Chia. If a patient is considering any peptide, the safer process starts with a licensed clinician who can review the goal, symptoms, health history, medications, allergies, skin history, and whether medical testing or referral is needed.
A legitimate medical path is different from a research-chemical purchase. A clinician evaluation can determine whether any treatment is appropriate, and a prescription is never guaranteed. A licensed pharmacy is responsible for preparing medication under applicable standards; a research-chemical vendor is not a care team.
At Chia, we do not sell Melanotan II, Melanotan I, afamelanotide, or tanning peptides. We do offer clinician-guided care for treatments listed in our current catalog, including PT-141 nasal spray for eligible patients after an online medical evaluation. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved.
For education, readers can compare this page with our guide to PT-141 peptide, also called bremelanotide. PT-141 and MT-II are discussed in the same broad melanocortin conversation online, but patients should not substitute one peptide for another without medical review.
What to ask before considering any peptide
- What exact compound is being discussed, and what outcome is it being used for?
- Is there direct human evidence for that compound and that outcome?
- What safety concerns apply to my skin history, medications, and health conditions?
- Who is responsible for follow-up if side effects happen?
- Where is the medication prepared, and who verifies identity, sterility, and labeling?
How does Melanotan II compare with related peptides?
Melanotan II is often compared with Melanotan and PT-141, also called bremelanotide. These names can appear near each other in searches, but a shared discussion category does not make them interchangeable.
| Peptide or name | Common patient question | What this page can say |
|---|---|---|
| Melanotan II, MT-II, MT-2 | Tanning, pigmentation, vitiligo, and online access questions | One supplied registered trial directly names MT-II with NB-UVB phototherapy for stable nonsegmental vitiligo 1. |
| Melanotan | Often searched as a related tanning peptide | No supplied source here supports a direct comparison between Melanotan and MT-II. |
| PT-141, bremelanotide | Libido and sexual-function questions | Chia has a separate education page on PT-141/bremelanotide; this MT-II page should not be used to compare dosing or substitute one peptide for another. |
The practical rule is simple: do not swap peptides based on online categories. Different compounds can raise different patient questions, and each decision needs its own clinician review.
This article cannot give a reliable timeline. The supplied evidence does not include usable Melanotan II-specific results that show when effects start in patients.
The supplied evidence does not support a specific tanning timeline. Online timelines should not be treated as medical evidence or dosing guidance.
This article cannot support that claim from the supplied sources. A hair-color claim would need direct human evidence measuring that outcome with Melanotan II.
They are searched as related peptides, but this evidence set does not provide a direct, citable comparison. Patients should not assume one can replace the other.
No. Chia does not offer Melanotan II, Melanotan I, afamelanotide, or tanning peptides.
No online calculator can replace a medical evaluation. This article does not provide dosing instructions, and the supplied evidence does not support a recommended patient dose range.
A registered Phase 2 trial is studying Melanotan II with NB-UVB phototherapy for repigmentation in stable nonsegmental vitiligo. The listing is not the same as a completed published result.
If symptoms are severe, urgent, or involve a rapidly changing skin lesion, seek medical care. For non-urgent concerns, contact a licensed clinician and be honest about what was used, where it came from, and when symptoms started.
References
- 1.NCT07437560 [RECRUITING, PHASE2, n=60] Melanotan II (MT-II) as an Adjunct to NB-UVB Phototherapy for Repigmentation in Stable Nonsegmental Vitiligo. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2026.
- 2.PMID 35413533 [randomised controlled trial] Yang M, Zhou X, Ye C, et al. Emphasizing mindfulness training in acceptance relieves anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Psychiatry research. 2022.
- 3.PMID 18691937 [randomised controlled trial] Zammit G, Schwartz H, Roth T, et al. The effects of ramelteon in a first-night model of transient insomnia. Sleep medicine. 2009.
- 4.PMID 41021476 [randomised controlled trial] Polo-Ferrero L, Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Martín-Vallejo J, et al. Long-term effects of progressive high-speed resistance exercise in older women with low muscle strength: a randomized clinical trial. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 2025.
- 5.PMID 35028668 [randomised controlled trial] Margot N, Vanderveen L, Naik V, et al. Phenotypic resistance to lenacapavir and monotherapy efficacy in a proof-of-concept clinical study. The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy. 2022.
- 6.PMID 16709464 [randomised controlled trial] Roth T, Seiden D, Sainati S, et al. Effects of ramelteon on patient-reported sleep latency in older adults with chronic insomnia. Sleep medicine. 2006.
- 7.PMID 17389558 [randomised controlled trial] Greenblatt DJ, Harmatz JS, Karim A. Age and gender effects on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ramelteon, a hypnotic agent acting via melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2. Journal of clinical pharmacology. 2007.
- 8.PMID 20550024 [randomised controlled trial] Markwald RR, Lee-Chiong TL, Burke TM, et al. Effects of the melatonin MT-1/MT-2 agonist ramelteon on daytime body temperature and sleep. Sleep. 2010.
- 9.PMID 8853730 [randomised controlled trial] Kuritzkes DR, Quinn JB, Benoit SL, et al. Drug resistance and virologic response in NUCA 3001, a randomized trial of lamivudine (3TC) versus zidovudine (ZDV) versus ZDV plus 3TC in previously untreated patients. AIDS (London, England). 1996.
- 10.PMID 15640275 [clinical trial] Penkowa M, Keller P, Keller C, et al. Exercise-induced metallothionein expression in human skeletal muscle fibres. Experimental physiology. 2005.
- 11.PMID 17171557 [clinical trial] Pjrek E, Winkler D, Konstantinidis A, et al. Agomelatine in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. Psychopharmacology. 2007.
- 12.PMID 18759607 [randomised controlled trial] Lavinio A, Harding S, Van Der Boogaard F, et al. Magnetic field interactions in adjustable hydrocephalus shunts. Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics. 2008.
- 13.PMID 34612612 [randomised controlled trial] Heena N, Zia NU, Sehgal S, et al. Effects of task complexity or rate of motor imagery on motor learning in healthy young adults. Brain and behavior. 2021.
About this article
Chia Health Editorial Team — Evidence-reviewed health education
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any prescription.
AI tools may assist with research and drafting. Chia's editorial team reviews source use, clarity, treatment information, and safety framing before publication. A clinician is named only after explicit sign-off. Read our editorial standards.
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