Melanotan-2 Dosing: 100-250mcg Loading Protocol

Melanotan 2 (MT-2) is a synthetic analog of alpha-MSH that stimulates melanin production with minimal UV exposure. It has no FDA approval for any indication and carries significant side effects requiring careful management. This is not medical advice.

Quick Reference: Community Protocol

Melanotan 2 is not in the standard cheat sheet — this is a community protocol based on decades of underground use and limited clinical data.

For the full Melanotan 2 profile, vendor pricing, and safety protocols, see our Melanotan 2 peptide page.

Cycling Details

MT-2 follows a distinct two-phase approach:

Loading (Weeks 1-3): 500 mcg daily (start at 250 mcg for first 2-3 days to assess nausea). Combined with 10-15 minutes daily UV exposure. Goal: reach desired tan depth.

Maintenance (Week 4+): 500 mcg twice per week. Maintain established tan with minimal ongoing UV. Continue as long as tan maintenance is desired.

First-time users typically need 3 weeks loading. Returning users respond faster (2 weeks). Competition prep may extend loading to 4-6 weeks.

Routes of Administration

Subcutaneous (standard): Abdomen, thigh, or arm. Many inject before bed to sleep through nausea. Rotate injection sites. Volume is typically 0.1 mL with insulin syringe.

Intranasal (alternative): Less common, absorption is less predictable. May cause nasal irritation. Requires higher doses than subcutaneous.

Not effective oral — peptide degraded by stomach acid.

Reconstitution Quick Reference

Math: 10,000 mcg / 2 mL = 5,000 mcg/mL. 500 mcg / 5,000 = 0.1 mL = 10 units. Refrigerate after mixing, protect from light, use within 30 days.

For step-by-step instructions, see the Melanotan 2 Reconstitution Guide.

Where These Numbers Come From

MT-2 has some human clinical data, primarily from sexual dysfunction studies rather than tanning.

Wessells et al. (2000) tested intranasal MT-2 at 0.025 mg/kg (approximately 1.75 mg for 70 kg person) in a Phase II erectile dysfunction trial with significant efficacy (PMID 11035391). Dorr et al. (1996) published the Phase I clinical study of MT-II demonstrating melanotropic activity (PMID 8637402).

The loading/maintenance pattern evolved from decades of underground use: early protocols (1990s) used higher doses with more side effects; current protocols have been refined through community experience. The community settled on 250-500 mcg range as the sweet spot for effective MC1R saturation without excessive nausea.

Stacking Protocols

MT-2 is rarely stacked due to its unique mechanism and side effect profile.

Do NOT stack with PT-141 — both work through melanocortin receptors, redundant rather than synergistic. Choose one based on primary goal (tanning vs sexual enhancement). Do NOT stack with Melanotan-1 — unnecessary overlap.

Side Effects & Safety

• Nausea — 80-90% of users, especially during loading. Peaks 2-4 hours post-injection, lasts 4-6 hours. Bedtime dosing helps
• Facial flushing — within 30-60 minutes, lasts 1-2 hours
• Appetite suppression — significant during loading, can exceed 50% reduction
• Libido increase — pronounced; led to PT-141 development
• Fatigue/lethargy — especially first week
• Mole/freckle darkening — potentially permanent; requires dermatological monitoring
• Injection site darkening — localized hyperpigmentation
• Mood changes — irritability reported by some during loading

Managing nausea: Start at 100-250 mcg, inject before bed, empty stomach, consider anti-nausea medication (ondansetron), increase dose gradually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard Melanotan 2 loading dose?

500 mcg daily for 2-3 weeks. Start at 250 mcg for the first 2-3 days to assess nausea tolerance before increasing to full loading dose.

How long is the loading phase?

2-3 weeks with daily injections. Some extend to 4 weeks for very pale skin or slower responders.

What's the maintenance dose?

500 mcg twice per week after loading. Adjust frequency based on response and desired tan maintenance.

How do I prevent nausea?

Start low (100-250 mcg), inject before bed, empty stomach, consider anti-nausea medication, and increase gradually over several days.

How much UV exposure do I need?

Minimal — even 10-15 minutes of sunlight can trigger significant melanin production. Many achieve substantial tans with just incidental sun exposure.

Can Melanotan 2 cause permanent side effects?

Most effects are temporary (nausea, flushing, appetite). The main concern is potentially permanent mole/freckle changes requiring dermatological monitoring.

What's the difference between Melanotan 1 and Melanotan 2?

MT-2 is more potent for tanning with additional libido and appetite effects. MT-1 is more selective (MC1R only), has fewer side effects, requires more UV, and is FDA-approved for EPP. See our MT-1 vs MT-2 comparison.

Related Guides

• Melanotan 2 peptide page — vendor pricing and full profile
• Melanotan-2 Results: Week-by-Week Timeline — what to expect at each stage by skin type
• Melanotan-2 Benefits: 6 Effects Ranked — tanning, sexual function, appetite, and more
• Melanotan 2 Reconstitution Guide — step-by-step mixing and dilution charts
• Melanotan 2 Side Effects Guide — every side effect with management protocols
• Melanotan 2 Bloodwork Guide — what labs to track
• Melanotan 1 Dosing Guide — fewer side effects alternative
• Melanotan 1 vs Melanotan 2 — head-to-head comparison
• PT-141 Dosing Guide — melanocortin peptide for sexual enhancement
• Calculate Your Melanotan II Cycle Cost — estimate vials needed and total cost

References

For educational and research purposes only. This is not medical advice. Melanotan 2 is not FDA-approved for any indication and carries significant side effects.