Product Description — Melanotan II

Product Name: Melanotan II (sometimes marketed as “Melanotan-2” / user typed “Melentan 2”)
CAS Number: 121062-08-6. PubChem

Regulatory notice (must appear on product pages):
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not an FDA-approved drug. Do not market as a treatment, preventive, or diagnostic for any disease. See regulatory guidance and safety literature before use. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1

Brief overview (regulation-safe)

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic peptide analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that acts as a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist. It has been investigated in preclinical and early human studies for its ability to stimulate melanogenesis (skin tanning) and other effects mediated by melanocortin receptors. Melanotan II is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic or therapeutic use and has been the subject of regulatory warnings and safety reports. PubChem+2PubMed+2

Chemical / physical properties (summary)

• CAS: 121062-08-6. PubChem

• Molecular formula / mass: C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉; MW ≈ 1024.2 Da. PubChem

• Sequence (example catalog listing): Ac-Nle-Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys-NH₂ (cyclic / analogue variants exist). AAPPTEC

• Appearance: lyophilized white to off-white powder (catalog specifications vary by vendor). AAPPTEC

Safety, regulatory & clinical context

• Melanotan II has produced tanning effects in small, early human studies but is unlicensed and unapproved for cosmetic tanning or medical indications in major jurisdictions. PubMed+1

• Reported adverse events in the literature and case reports include nausea, flushing, appetite changes, vasomotor effects, and in some cases more serious events such as systemic toxicity (e.g., rhabdomyolysis, renal dysfunction) after unregulated use. There are also concerns about changes to pigmented lesions (moles) and unclear long-term melanoma risk in the context of unregulated use and UV exposure. PubMed+1

• Regulatory bodies (FDA and multiple national medicines agencies) have issued warnings about the sale and promotion of Melanotan II for human use; marketing it for tanning or other cosmetic/therapeutic purposes without approval can lead to enforcement action. Always display clear “Research use only — Not for human use” labeling. U.S. Food and Drug Administration

• “For laboratory research and investigational use only. Not for human or veterinary use.”

• “This product is not an FDA-approved drug and makes no claims regarding the treatment, prevention, or cure of any disease.”

• “Intended for in vitro or animal research only; follow institutional biosafety and handling procedures.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Melanotan II (CAS 121062-08-6) — Research Peptide (Investigational Use Only)
Melanotan II is a synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist peptide studied in preclinical and early clinical settings for its effects on melanogenesis and related biological pathways. This product is supplied as a lyophilized peptide for laboratory research purposes only. Not for human or veterinary administration. No claims are made regarding therapeutic benefit, and the compound is not an FDA-approved medication. Users should follow applicable institutional and legal requirements for handling and disposal. PubChem+1

Storage & handling (recommended, non-clinical)

• Store lyophilized peptide at -20 °C or colder in a desiccated environment.

• Reconstitute using sterile technique for laboratory assays only. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.

• Use appropriate PPE and follow institutional biosafety procedures. Dispose of unused material per local regulations.

SEO / keywords

Use these informational keywords for search optimization on a research/product page (avoid phrasing that implies human use or health claims):

• Melanotan II research peptide

• Melanotan-2 CAS 121062-08-6

• melanocortin agonist peptide (research)

• synthetic α-MSH analogue (research)

• Melanotan II pharmacology (preclinical)

• Melanotan II safety reports (research)

• tanning peptide (research only)

• PT-141 / MT-II research (note: PT-141/ bremelanotide is a related peptide with distinct development history)

Representative medical / scientific references (for “Further reading”)

(These are examples of peer-reviewed and regulatory sources you can link to from a product/research page.)

1. Dorr RT, et al. Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanocortin receptor agonist: tanning activity in humans. 1996. (early human dose-finding / tanning). PubMed

2. Nelson ME, et al. Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis. Case report highlighting safety concerns. 2012. PubMed

3. Royalty JE, et al. Investigation of Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and… (clinical/pharmacology analyses of melanocortin analogues). 2013. PMC

4. PubChem: melanotan-II (CID 92432) — chemical identifiers and CAS. PubChem

5. Regulatory action & FDA communications (historical warning letters re: Melanotan marketing). See FDA documents and notices. U.S. Food and Drug Administration