Melanotan II

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Melanotan II as Melanotan I is a synthetic substance having effects similar to the naturally occurring melanocyte stimulating hormone α -MSH.

Properties and effects

Melanotan II is built up of seven amino acids of the primary structure with a cyclic peptide Ac -Nle - cyclo [ Asp -His -D-Phe -Arg -Trp -Lys ] -NH2.

Melanotan II is described as a tanning agent and aphrodisiac. A clinical trial at the University of Arizona (Tucson ) with three male subjects showed in 1996 that Melanotan II causes skin tanning after five low-dose, conducted every other day subcutaneous injections in humans. As further effects nausea and a yawn and stretch need were observed, which was accompanied by a spontaneous erection. Other studies have described similar effects.

Risks to health

Melanotan II is not an authorized medicinal product. As developed yet an illegal trade with the substance, the U.S. drug approval and monitoring authority FDA was forced in September 2007, to warn consumers before taking Melanotan II and issue a warning to one of the marketed ligand companies. The British authority " Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency " (MHRA ) warned in November 2008 against risks to users of the two non-approved Melanotan types.