Comparison · Updated
PT-141 VS Melanotan II
Short answer
PT-141 has stronger published evidence than Melanotan II: tier S (Approved) vs tier A (Controlled human trials).
PT-141 is FDA-approved (Vyleesi, 2019); Melanotan II is not FDA-approved.
PT-141 is not on the WADA Prohibited List; Melanotan II is prohibited in sport by WADA under section S0.
01
Side by side
| Field | PT-141 | Melanotan II |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence tier | S Tier S · Approved | A Tier A · Controlled human trials |
| Tier rationale | Two phase 3 RCTs (RECONNECT) led to FDA approval as Vyleesi in 2019 for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. | Small double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trials in men with erectile dysfunction (1998, 2000) and phase 1 tanning studies. Never approved anywhere. |
| FDA status | Approved (2019) VyleesiApproved for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. | Not approved |
| Other approvals | None listed | None listed |
| WADA | Not on the Prohibited List | Prohibited · S0Non-approved substances |
| Family | Hormones & Drive | Hormones & Drive |
| Residues | 7amino acids | 7amino acids |
| Molecular weight | 1,025.2 Da | 1,024.2 Da |
| Formula | C50H68N14O10 | C50H69N15O9 |
| Discovered | Not on file | Not on file |
| Routes studied | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular |
| Mechanism | PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist that acts in the central nervous system to enhance sexual desire. Unlike PDE5 inhibitors, it works through hypothalamic melanocortin pathways that modulate dopaminergic signaling in reward and arousal circuits, increasing desire independent of vascular mechanisms. | Melanotan II is a cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-MSH that non-selectively activates melanocortin receptors MC1R through MC5R. MC1R activation on melanocytes stimulates cAMP signaling and tyrosinase expression, increasing eumelanin synthesis and skin pigmentation. |
| Safety notes | FDA-approved (Vyleesi) with Phase III safety data. | Small human trials reported nausea, stretching/yawning, fatigue/somnolence, and spontaneous erections. |
| Cited studies | 1 study | 2 studies |
02
Questions
- Which has stronger evidence, PT-141 or Melanotan II?
- PT-141 has stronger published evidence than Melanotan II: tier S (Approved) vs tier A (Controlled human trials). PT-141: Two phase 3 RCTs (RECONNECT) led to FDA approval as Vyleesi in 2019 for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. Melanotan II: Small double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trials in men with erectile dysfunction (1998, 2000) and phase 1 tanning studies. Never approved anywhere. Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness.
- Is PT-141 FDA-approved?
- PT-141 is FDA-approved (Vyleesi, 2019). Approved for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.
- Is Melanotan II FDA-approved?
- Melanotan II is not FDA-approved.
- Are PT-141 and Melanotan II banned in sport?
- PT-141 is not on the WADA Prohibited List; Melanotan II is prohibited in sport by WADA under section S0.
- How do PT-141 and Melanotan II work?
- PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist that acts in the central nervous system to enhance sexual desire. Melanotan II is a cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-MSH that non-selectively activates melanocortin receptors MC1R through MC5R.