Melanotan II (10 mg vial)

Protocol Overview

Concise summary of the regimen.

Dosing & Reconstitution

Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously during the initial 8-week tanning phase; transition to 1 or 2 injections per week for maintenance dosing to sustain pigmentation. For 10 unit (0.10 mL) or smaller administrations, consider 30- or 50-unit insulin syringes for improved readability.

Reconstitution Steps

1. Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
2. Inject slowly down the vial wall to avoid foaming; do not shake vigorously.
3. Gently roll or swirl the vial until the powder is fully dissolved.
4. Label the vial with the reconstitution date and refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C, protected from light. At 3.33 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL » 33.3 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.

Storage Instructions

Proper storage preserves peptide quality.

• Lyophilized: store at -20 °C or below in dry, dark conditions; keep desiccated to minimize moisture

exposure.

• Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C; use within 1 to 2 weeks with bacteriostatic water preservative.
• 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.

Supplies Needed

Plan based on an 8 to 16 week daily protocol with gradual titration (including transition to maintenance).

Peptide Vials (Melanotan II, 10 mg each):

• 8 weeks: ~5 vials (~45 to 50 mg total).
• 12 weeks: ~8 vials (~70 to 75 mg total).
• 16 weeks: ~10 vials (~95 to 100 mg total).

Insulin Syringes (U-100, 1 mL):

• Per week (daily dosing): 7 syringes.
• 8 weeks: 56. 12 weeks: 84. 16 weeks: 112.

Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles):

• 8 weeks (5 vials): 2 bottles. 12 weeks (8 vials): 3 bottles. 16 weeks (10 vials): 3 bottles.

Alcohol Swabs:

• Per week: 14 swabs.
• 8 weeks: 112 (2 x 100-count). 16 weeks: 224 (3 x 100-count).

Important Notes

Practical considerations for consistency and safety.

• Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; dispose in a sharps container immediately.
• Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation and scarring.
• Clean vial stopper and injection site with alcohol swabs before each use; allow to air dry.
• Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
• Document daily dose, injection site, and any side effects to maintain consistency and track tolerance.
• Safety warning: Do not exceed 2 mg per day; case reports document serious systemic toxicity and

rhabdomyolysis at mega-doses (6 mg).

How This Works

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that binds to melanocortin receptors, particularly MC1R and MC4R. Activation of MC1R on melanocytes stimulates melanin production and distribution, resulting in increased skin pigmentation even without UV exposure. Early Phase I studies in humans identified 0.025 mg/kg per day (approximately 1.5 to 2 mg for an average adult) as an appropriate dose, with measurable tanning observed after just five low doses administered over two weeks. The peptide's subcutaneous administration allows for steady melanocortin receptor activation, with effects accumulating over the course of daily injections during the initial tanning phase.

Benefits & Side Effects

Observations from clinical trials and case reports.

• Increases skin pigmentation (tanning) without UV exposure requirement.
• Tanning effects observable after 5 to 10 daily injections in most individuals.
• May induce spontaneous erections in men as a noted side effect (MC4R activation).
• Maintenance dosing (1 to 2 times weekly) can sustain pigmentation after initial loading phase.
• Common side effects: nausea (dose-dependent; most common at higher doses), facial flushing,

increased skin warmth, reduced appetite, mild fatigue.

• Spontaneous erections or increased libido in men.
• Injection site reactions (redness, mild stinging).
• Not FDA-approved: Melanotan II is not an approved medication; use carries regulatory and safety risks.
• Dose-limiting toxicity: Severe sympathomimetic symptoms and rhabdomyolysis reported at 6 mg dose.
• Mole changes: May alter pigmentation of existing moles; theoretical melanoma concerns warrant

caution.

• Cardiovascular effects: Transient increases in heart rate and blood pressure possible at higher doses.

Lifestyle Factors

Complementary strategies for best outcomes.

• UV exposure: Melanotan II increases melanin without UV, but some users combine with minimal UV

exposure; always use appropriate sun protection to reduce skin cancer risk.

• Hydration: maintain adequate fluid intake, especially if experiencing nausea or appetite suppression.
• Monitoring: inspect moles and skin regularly for changes; seek dermatological evaluation if new or

changing lesions appear.

• Dose discipline: adhere strictly to conservative dosing protocols; never exceed 2 mg per day to avoid

serious adverse effects.

Injection Technique

General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best-practice resources.

1. Clean the vial stopper and skin with alcohol; allow to dry.
2. Pinch a skinfold; insert the needle at 45 to 90 degrees into subcutaneous tissue.
3. Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily.
4. Wait 5 to 10 seconds before withdrawing; dispose of syringe in sharps container.
5. Rotate sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to avoid lipohypertrophy.

References

Source citations for further reading.

1. Dorr RT et al. Phase I clinical study of melanotan-II in healthy volunteers (PubMed, 1996).
2. Nelson ME et al. Case report: Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis (PubMed, 2012).
3. DermNet NZ: Melanotan II Information for Patients.
4. Melanotan-II Uses, Side Effects and Dosing (RxList).