An unapproved synthetic melanocortin agonist sold for tanning, which regulators in several countries have warned against.
Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that activates several melanocortin receptors. It darkens skin, and it also affects appetite and sexual function, which is how bremelanotide (PT-141) came out of its research.
Melanotan II is not approved in the US or the UK, and health regulators, including the UK's MHRA, have publicly warned consumers against tanning injections. It was among the twelve peptides FDA removed from 503A Category 2 in April 2026, which does not make it approved or lawful to sell for human use.
Status reflects public FDA actions and reporting as of October 8, 2026. An advisory committee vote is a recommendation, not an FDA decision, and inclusion on a compounding list is not FDA approval.
Early small studies documented tanning and side effects. It was never developed into an approved product. A related but distinct molecule, afamelanotide (Scenesse), is FDA-approved for a rare light-sensitivity disorder, erythropoietic protoporphyria.
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