Melanotan II — Dosing, Cycles, Half-Life & Side Effects

Melanotan II is a melanocortin receptor agonist peptide with a half-life of 33 minutes. Synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Causes skin tanning, appetite suppression, and increases libido. Not approved for human use in any country. This page is educational harm-reduction reference compiled from peer-reviewed literature — not medical advice, not an endorsement, not a recommendation to use. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision.

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Quick Facts

Class	Melanocortin Receptor Agonist
Half-life	33 minutes
Hepatotoxicity	None
Suppression	0/10

Typical Dosing Ranges

Common dose range: 0.25-1mg 2-3x/week (loading), then weekly maintenance

Cycle length: Variable (maintenance dosing)

Dose ranges are compiled from published pharmacokinetic studies and community-reported usage. Where a value is community-reported rather than clinically studied, this page and its structured data flag it. Lower end of any range is always the safer starting point.

Stacking Considerations

No structural stacking blockers. Standard harm-reduction rules apply: minimize total androgen load, minimize oral exposure, and monitor bloodwork.

PCT Requirements

Never stack two SERMs. Extend a single SERM (tamoxifen OR enclomiphene/clomiphene) rather than combining.
Use the cycle planner to generate a full protocol based on your complete stack, not this compound alone.

Side Effect Profile

Not FDA approved
Nausea common (especially initially)
Mole darkening (monitor for changes)
Flushing and facial flushing
Unknown long-term risks
May affect existing moles/nevi

Known Interactions

No compound-specific interactions are catalogued in the current matrix. This does not mean no risk exists — it means there is no curated pairwise entry.

Monitoring (Bloodwork & Vitals)

Comprehensive metabolic panel (baseline, mid-cycle, post-cycle)
Lipid panel (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
CBC (hemoglobin, hematocrit — watch for erythrocytosis)
Sex-hormone panel (Total T, Free T, Estradiol sensitive, SHBG, LH, FSH)
Blood pressure (weekly self-check; flag systolic >140 or diastolic >90)

Baseline bloodwork is recommended before any cycle. Discontinue if liver enzymes exceed 3× upper limit of normal or if hematocrit exceeds 54%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the half-life of Melanotan II?

Melanotan II has a half-life of approximately 33 minutes. This figure is used to determine injection frequency (for esters) and post-cycle clearance timing.

What is the typical dose range for Melanotan II?

Commonly reported ranges for Melanotan II: 0.25-1mg 2-3x/week (loading), then weekly maintenance. Cycle length: Variable (maintenance dosing). These are compiled from published studies and community-reported usage — individual response varies and lower end is always preferred.

Does Melanotan II suppress natural testosterone?

Melanotan II causes minimal suppression of the HPTA axis (score 0/10). PCT may still be advisable depending on stack and duration.

What is Melanotan II typically used for?

Melanotan II is commonly used for: Tanning without UV, Appetite control, Libido enhancement. Intended-use context does not imply safety — every use case carries the same underlying pharmacological risks.

Is Melanotan II legal?

Melanotan II is a controlled substance in many jurisdictions (typically Schedule III in the US when it is an anabolic androgenic steroid). StackItSmart does not provide sourcing information. Possession, import, and use without a prescription carry legal consequences that vary by country and state.

Citations

Disclaimer

StackItSmart is an independent harm-reduction reference. The content above is compiled from peer-reviewed literature and is not medical advice, not an endorsement, and not a recommendation to use Melanotan II. Performance-enhancing compounds carry legal, endocrine, cardiovascular, and hepatic risks. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision. StackItSmart does not provide sourcing, procurement, or dosing prescriptions.