At a glance
A melanocortin analogue discussed in pigmentation and systemic signaling.
This profile separates the compound’s scientific background from specification-specific preparation and source schedules. Begin with the research findings and limitations, then select the formulation you want to examine.
How it works
Potential benefits & side effects
Interpret each outcome in the context of the study population, formulation and evidence type. Research findings do not establish a personal treatment outcome.
Potential benefits & research findings
Pigmentation findings should be read together with adverse events and case reports. Increased pigmentation is not evidence of protection from ultraviolet damage or skin cancer.[1][2][3]
Read the original publications to see the measured endpoints, comparator, duration and uncertainty. Mechanistic plausibility and a favorable experimental result are different from demonstrated clinical benefit.
Side effects & evidence limitations
Interpret the reported adverse effects together with the study population, route and observation period. Small or short studies can miss uncommon and delayed harms. Evidence from a related compound does not establish the safety of Melanotan II.
Source-reported adverse effects and cautions
Sources are available for independent reading. Individual claims and research schedules have not yet undergone an independent clinical review by Pep Science.
- Editorial responsibility
- Pep Science editorial desk
- Last independent review
- Not yet recorded
SPECIFICATIONS & SOURCE SCHEDULES
Explore a vial size
Select the exact formulation. Vial content, target dose and prepared concentration are different measurements.
Showing 10 mg · 1 source tables
Standard / Gradual Titration (3 mL = 3.33 mg/mL)
| Week / Phase | Daily Dose | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 250 mcg (0.25 mg) | 7.5 units (0.075 mL) |
| Week 2 | 500 mcg (0.5 mg) | 15 units (0.15 mL) |
| Week 3 | 750 mcg (0.75 mg) | 22.5 units (0.225 mL) |
| Weeks 4–8 | 1000 mcg (1 mg) | 30 units (0.30 mL) |
| Maintenance(after Week 8) | 500–1000 mcg(1–2× weekly) | 15–30 units(0.15–0.30 mL) |
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously during the initial 8-week tanning phase; transition to 1–2 injections per week for maintenance dosing to sustain pigmentation[3]. This schedule uses the standard 3.0 mL dilution for consistent unit measurements. For ≤10-unit (≤0.10 mL) administrations, consider 30- or 50-unit insulin syringes for improved readability.
Additional schedule context & duration
Concise summary of the once-daily subcutaneous regimen.
- Goal: Increase skin pigmentation (tanning) through melanocortin receptor activation[1].
- Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for 6–8 weeks during loading phase, then maintenance dosing 1–2× weekly[3].
- Dose Range: 250–1000 mcg daily with gradual titration to minimize side effects.
- Reconstitution: 3.0 mL per 10 mg vial (3.33 mg/mL) for accurate unit measurements.
- Storage: Lyophilized frozen at −20 °C (−4 °F); reconstituted refrigerated at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use within 1–2 weeks[6].
Suggested daily titration approach based on clinical research.
- Start: 200–250 mcg daily; increase by 100–250 mcg increments every 1–2 weeks as tolerated[2].
- Target: 500–1000 mcg daily by Weeks 4–8 (studied effective range is 1–2 mg/day)[1].
- Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous) during loading phase.
- Cycle Length: 6–8 weeks for initial tanning, then switch to maintenance dosing.
- Maintenance: 500–1000 mcg administered 1–2× per week to sustain pigmentation[3].
- Timing: Any consistent time; rotate injection sites to reduce irritation.
Preparation
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall to avoid foaming; do not shake vigorously.
- Gently roll or swirl the vial until the powder is fully dissolved.
- Label the vial with the reconstitution date and store refrigerated at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light.
Storage Instructions
Proper storage preserves peptide stability and potency.
- Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) or below in dry, dark conditions; keep desiccated to minimize moisture exposure[6].
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use within 1–2 weeks with bacteriostatic water preservative[6].
- Avoid freeze–thaw: Do not refreeze reconstituted solution; prepare aliquots if longer storage needed.
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation.
Injection Technique
Subcutaneous injection guidance from clinical best-practice resources[7][9].
- Clean the vial stopper and injection site with alcohol swabs; allow both to air dry completely[9].
- Use a 1 mL insulin syringe (29–31 gauge, ½ inch needle) for subcutaneous administration[7].
- Pinch a fold of skin approximately 1 inch thick at the injection site (abdomen preferred, at least 2 inches from navel)[8].
- Insert the needle at 45–90° depending on body composition; release the pinch after needle insertion[8].
- Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily[9].
- Withdraw the needle at the same angle; apply gentle pressure with clean gauze if needed.
- Rotate sites systematically to avoid lipohypertrophy or scarring[8].
- Dispose of used syringes immediately in a proper sharps container; never reuse needles[7].
Materials & quantity planning
Source materials checklist · 10 mg
Plan based on an 8–16 week daily protocol with gradual titration (including transition to maintenance dosing).
-
Peptide Vials (Melanotan II, 10 mg each):
- 8 weeks ≈ 5 vials (~45–50 mg total)
- 12 weeks ≈ 8 vials (~70–75 mg total)
- 16 weeks ≈ 10 vials (~95–100 mg total)
-
Insulin Syringes (U-100, 1 mL):
- Per week (daily dosing): 7 syringes
- 8 weeks: 56 syringes
- 12 weeks: 84 syringes
- 16 weeks: 112 syringes
-
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- 8 weeks (5 vials): 15 mL → 2 × 10 mL bottles
- 12 weeks (8 vials): 24 mL → 3 × 10 mL bottles
- 16 weeks (10 vials): 30 mL → 3 × 10 mL bottles
-
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
- Per week: 14 swabs (2/day)
- 8 weeks: 112 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
- 12 weeks: 168 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
- 16 weeks: 224 swabs → recommend 3 × 100-count boxes
Calculate a phased quantity
Enter each finite phase from the schedule you are studying. Open-ended phases need an explicit duration. Calculation uses 10 mg per vial and 3 mL per vial.
Complete each phase to calculate totals.
Quantity estimates exclude preparation losses and expiry. Follow the formulation’s handling and disposal requirements.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
References & further reading
Original publications and source documents cited across this product’s variants. A listed source is not an independent endorsement of a dosing schedule.
- 01
Research publication
PubMed — Dorr RT et al. (1996) — Phase I clinical study of melanotan-II, evaluation of dosing and safety in healthy volunteers (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 04
Research publication
PubMed — Nelson ME et al. (2012) — Case report: Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑