Melanotan II, an unapproved peptide copying the body's pigment hormone, is self-injected for tanning, stronger erections and desire in men, and less appetite. Small, short trials by its inventors suggest it triggers erections and darkens skin; sun protection and weight loss are inferred from related drugs. Reported harms are serious: new and changing moles, melanomas, painful prolonged erections, muscle breakdown with kidney injury. No long-term safety data exist. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | Below 120/80 mmHg | Safety check; stop at 140/90 mmHg or above |
| Resting heart rate | 60–100 beats per minute | Fast heart rate suggests fight-or-flight overactivation |
| Creatine kinase | About 20–200 U/L, laboratory-specific | Elevation signals muscle breakdown |
| Serum creatinine with eGFR | Creatinine about 0.7–1.3 mg/dL in men, 0.6–1.1 mg/dL in women | Rise signals kidney injury |
| Urinalysis for blood | Negative | Suggests muscle-protein spillage |
| Mole count and dermoscopic images | No established target; track new or changing moles against baseline photographs | Safety check; new atypical moles stop use |
| Skin pigmentation (standardized photographs) | No established target; track change from baseline | Darkening shows response |
| Body weight | No established target; track change from baseline | Appetite reduction may lower weight |
Cadence: Baseline before any use; blood pressure and heart rate before and 1 to 4 hours after each of the first three doses; laboratory tests at 4 weeks, sooner with muscle pain, dark urine, headache or visual change; dermatology examination every 6 months during use; final skin check 3 months after stopping