Search ↗

Classes

Melanocortins

Melanocortin receptor agonists affecting pigmentation, appetite and sexual function.

4 compounds in this class. 3 approved by the FDA for at least one indication. 0 have no published human trial data.

Guides in this class

All 4 melanocortins compared

CompoundEvidenceReported rangeHalf-lifeStatus
Melanotan I
A selective MC1R agonist, FDA approved as an implant for a rare photosensitivity disorder.
 Regulator approved 500 mcg - 1 mg ~1 hour (implant gives sustained release) Approved
Melanotan II
A non-selective melanocortin agonist that causes tanning, appetite suppression and erections. Subject of repeated regulatory warnings.
 Preliminary human 250 mcg - 1 mg ~1-2 hours Research only
PT-141
A melanocortin-4 selective agonist approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder, acting centrally rather than vascularly.
 Regulator approved 1-2 mg ~2.7 hours Approved
Setmelanotide
A selective MC4R agonist approved for rare genetic obesity syndromes, and a genuine precision medicine.
 Regulator approved 1-3 mg ~11 hours Approved

Head-to-head comparisons

Melanotan I vs Melanotan IIMelanotan I vs PT-141Melanotan II vs PT-141KPV vs Melanotan IIKisspeptin-10 vs PT-141Semaglutide vs SetmelanotideMelanotan II vs Setmelanotide

Melanocortins: common questions

What are melanocortins?

Melanocortin receptor agonists affecting pigmentation, appetite and sexual function. This class has 4 compounds in our directory.

Which melanocortins are FDA approved?

Melanotan I, PT-141, Setmelanotide are FDA approved for at least one indication. The others are not approved.

Which melanocortins have the strongest evidence?

By evidence level and number of human studies: PT-141 (regulator approved, ~20 human studies); Melanotan I (regulator approved, ~12 human studies); Setmelanotide (regulator approved, ~10 human studies).

Can compounding pharmacies make these?

Melanotan II is not FDA approved and not on the 503A bulks list, so there is no routine legal path to compound it. Material sold online is labelled for research use only. Status checked against FDA lists in October 2026.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. FDA: Bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks (Category 2 and withdrawn nominations) ↗ · content current as of April 22, 2026; checked October 18, 2026
  2. FDA: Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A ↗ · how the 503A categories work
  3. FDA: Unapproved drugs ↗ · status of products sold "for research use only"
  4. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · peptide hormones and growth factors, class S2
  5. PubMed (National Library of Medicine) ↗ · source of every literature reference on this site

Published literature

  1. Perez-Bootello J, Cova-Martin R, Naharro-Rodriguez J, et al.. Vitiligo: Pathogenesis and New and Emerging Treatments.Int J Mol Sci 2023.PubMed 38139134 · doi:10.3390/ijms242417306
  2. Bayerl C. [Undesirable pigmentation].Hautarzt 2015.PubMed 26315100 · doi:10.1007/s00105-015-3671-4
  3. Cong TX, Hao D, Wen X, et al.. From pathogenesis of acne vulgaris to anti-acne agents.Arch Dermatol Res 2019.PubMed 30859308 · doi:10.1007/s00403-019-01908-x
  4. Stölzel U, Kubisch I, Stauch T. [Porphyrias-what is verified?].Internist (Berl) 2018.PubMed 30328490 · doi:10.1007/s00108-018-0509-z
  5. Zubair R, Hamzavi IH. Phototherapy for Vitiligo.Dermatol Clin 2020.PubMed 31753192 · doi:10.1016/j.det.2019.08.005
  6. Sweeney P, Gimenez LE, Hernandez CC, et al.. Targeting the central melanocortin system for the treatment of metabolic disorders.Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023.PubMed 37365323 · doi:10.1038/s41574-023-00855-y
  7. Minder EI, Schneider-Yin X. Afamelanotide (CUV1647) in dermal phototoxicity of erythropoietic protoporphyria.Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2015.PubMed 25470471 · doi:10.1586/17512433.2014.956089
  8. Wu J, Cotliar R. Afamelanotide: An Orphan Drug with Potential for Broad Dermatologic Applications.J Drugs Dermatol 2021.PubMed 33683075 · doi:10.36849/JDD.5526
  9. Janvier S, De Spiegeleer B, Vanhee C, et al.. Falsification of biotechnology drugs: current dangers and/or future disasters?.J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018.PubMed 30165334 · doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2018.08.037
  10. Hadley ME, Dorr RT. Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization.Peptides 2006.PubMed 16412534 · doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2005.01.029
  11. Bartness TJ, Vaughan CH, Song CK. Sympathetic and sensory innervation of brown adipose tissue.Int J Obes (Lond) 2010.PubMed 20935665 · doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.182
  12. Wessells H, Levine N, Hadley ME, et al.. Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: human studies with Melanotan II.Int J Impot Res 2000.PubMed 11035391 · doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3900582
  13. Peters B, Hadimeri H, Wahlberg R, et al.. Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report.CEN Case Rep 2020.PubMed 31953620 · doi:10.1007/s13730-020-00447-z
  14. Allard J, Giuliano F. Central nervous system agents in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: how do they work?.Curr Urol Rep 2001.PubMed 12084236 · doi:10.1007/s11934-001-0044-6

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.