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Melanotan - Uses, Side Effects, and More

By Anonymous April 2nd, 2026 6 views

Overview

Melanotan is a lab-made chemical. It is similar to a hormone found in the body. It was originally made as a drug to help treat certain skin conditions. It is also sold over the internet as a supplement.

Melanotan is commonly used for skin tanning. It is also used to produce erections in men with erectile dysfunction (ED), for rosacea, for fibromyalgia, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also concern that melanotan might not be safe when used as a shot under the skin.

Be careful not to confuse melanotan with melatonin.

Melanotan is similar to a substance in our bodies, called "melanocyte-stimulating hormone." This hormone increases the production of skin-darkening pigments. Melanotan might also work in the brain to stimulate erections of the penis.

How does it work ?

Melanotan is similar to a substance in our bodies, called "melanocyte-stimulating hormone." This hormone increases the production of skin-darkening pigments. Melanotan might also work in the brain to stimulate erections of the penis.


Uses & Effectiveness 

Possibly Effective for

  • Erectile dysfunction (ED). Most early research suggests that giving melanotan as a shot under the skin helps men with erectile dysfunction achieve and keep an erection. However, side effects like nausea mean that this is not the best product to use. Also, melanotan is now only available as an unregulated product over the internet.
 

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Tanning of the skin.
  • Preventing skin cancers due to sun exposure, when given as a shot under the skin.
  • Rosacea.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of melanotan for these uses.


Side Effects

When given as a shot: Melanotan is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when given as a shot. It can causes nausea, stomachcramps, decreased appetite, flushing, tiredness, yawning, darkened skin, spontaneous erections of the penis, and other side effects. In some people, especially those with light skin, a change in the shape of moles, new moles, and skin cancer, have all occurred in people using melanotan.


Special Precautions and Warnings

When given as a shot: Melanotan is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when given as a shot. It can causes nausea, stomachcramps, decreased appetite, flushing, tiredness, yawning, darkened skin, spontaneous erections of the penis, and other side effects. In some people, especially those with light skin, a change in the shape of moles, new moles, and skin cancer, have all occurred in people using melanotan.



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