Melanotan is a lab-made chemical. It is similar to a hormone found in the body. It was originally made as a drug to help treat certain skin conditions. It is also sold over the internet as a supplement.
Melanotan is commonly used for skin tanning. It is also used to produce erections in men with erectile dysfunction (ED), for rosacea, for fibromyalgia, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also concern that melanotan might not be safe when used as a shot under the skin.
Be careful not to confuse melanotan with melatonin.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED). Most early research suggests that giving melanotan as a shot under the skin helps men with erectile dysfunction achieve and keep an erection. However, side effects like nausea mean that this is not the best product to use. Also, melanotan is now only available as an unregulated product over the internet.
- Tanning of the skin.
- Preventing skin cancers due to sun exposure, when given as a shot under the skin.
- Rosacea.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of melanotan for these uses.
Is it Safe?
Melanotan is similar to a substance in our bodies, called "melanocyte-stimulating hormone." This hormone increases the production of skin-darkening pigments. Melanotan might also work in the brain to stimulate erections of the penis.
When given as a shot: Melanotan is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when given as a shot. It can causes nausea, stomach cramps, decreased appetite, flushing, tiredness, yawning, darkened skin, spontaneous erections of the penis, and other side effects. In some people, especially those with light skin, a change in the shape of moles, new moles, and skin cancer, have all occurred in people using melanotan.
When sprayed in the nose: There isn't enough reliable information to know if melanotan is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if melanotan is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
It is not known if Melanotan interacts with any medicines. Before taking Melanotan, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY INJECTION UNDER THE SKIN:
- For erectile dysfunction (ED): the typical dosage of melanotan is 0.025 mg/kg.
Afamelanotide, Barbie Drug, Melanotan I, Melanotan II, Melanotan-I, Melanotan-II, MT-I, MT-II, Synthetic Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (a-MSH) Analogues.
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