# Melanotan 2 References: The Cited Literature

> Melanotan 2 references — the full cited source list behind this digest, with PubMed links to the pigmentation, erectile-function, behavioral, and safety studies discussed.

Every study cited across this digest, with PubMed links. The pigmentation pilots, the erectile-function trials, the rodent behavioral work, and the safety case reports.

## How to read this list

These are the published sources cited throughout this digest, numbered to match the [N] markers on each page. The collection spans the foundational pigmentation and erectile-function pilots of the 1990s, the deeper rodent literature on appetite and behavior, the human pharmacokinetic data on the related analog, and the safety case reports that make up most of the human harm record. Each links to its PubMed entry so you can read the abstract or source directly. This site summarizes these sources; it does not reproduce them.

## References

[1] Dorr RT, Lines R, Levine N, Brooks C, Xiang L, Hruby VJ, Hadley ME. Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study. Life Sci. 1996;58(20):1777-1784. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8637402/
[2] Dorr RT, Dvorakova K, Brooks C, Lines R, Levine N, Schram K, Miketova P, Hruby V, Alberts DS. Increased eumelanin expression and tanning is induced by a superpotent melanotropin [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH in humans. Photochem Photobiol. 2000;72(4):526-532. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11045725/
[3] Wessells H, Fuciarelli K, Hansen J, Hadley ME, Hruby VJ, Dorr R, Levine N. Synthetic melanotropic peptide initiates erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study. J Urol. 1998;160(2):389-393. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9679884/
[4] Eliason NL, Martin L, Low MJ, Sharpe AL. Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food. Neuropeptides. 2022;96:102289. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36155088/
[5] Cardones AR, Grichnik JM. alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced eruptive nevi. Arch Dermatol. 2009;145(4):441-444. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19380666/
[6] Eruptive dysplastic nevi following melanotan use. (Case report). 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22425244/
[7] Lan EL, Ugwu SO, Blanchard J, Fang X, Hruby VJ, Sharma S. Preformulation studies with melanotan-II: a potential skin cancer chemopreventive peptide. J Pharm Sci. 1994;83(8):1081-1084. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7983590/
[8] Hadley ME, Dorr RT. Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. Peptides. 2006;27(4):921-930. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16412534/
[9] Molinoff PB, Shadiack AM, Earle D, Diamond LE, Quon CY. PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003;994:96-102. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12851303/
[10] Ugwu SO, Blanchard J, Dorr RT, Levine N, Brooks C, Hadley ME, Aickin M, Hruby VJ. Skin pigmentation and pharmacokinetics of melanotan-I in humans. Biopharm Drug Dispos. 1997;18(3):259-269. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9113347/
[11] Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34464955/
[12] Dermoscopic changes in melanocytic nevi during use of melanotan II. 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23052015/
[13] Changes of melanocytic lesions induced by Melanotan injections and sun bed use in a teenage patient with FAMMM syndrome. 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23785612/
[14] Melanoma associated with the use of melanotan-II. 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24355990/
[15] Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis. 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23121206/
[16] Peters B, Hadimeri H, Wahlberg R, Afghahi H. Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report. CEN Case Rep. 2020;9(2):159-161. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31953620/
[17] Melanotan II overdose associated with priapism. 2013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23537392/
[18] Melanotan Tanning Injection: A Rare Cause of Priapism. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33460908/
[19] Melanotan-induced priapism: a hard-earned tan. 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30796078/
[20] Melanotan and the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. 2013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23648958/
[21] Hemodynamic actions and mechanisms of systemically administered alpha-MSH analogs in mice. 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22982611/
[22] Systemic but not central nervous system nitric oxide synthase inhibition exacerbates the hypertensive effects of chronic melanocortin-3/4 receptor activation. 2011. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21263126/
[23] Identification and characterization by LC-UV-MS/MS of melanotan II skin-tanning products sold illegally on the Internet. 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24771717/
[24] LC-HRMS characterization of the skin pigmentation and sexual enhancers melanotan II and bremelanotide sold on the black market of performance and image enhancing drugs. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33245851/
[25] Risks of unregulated use of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues: a review. 2017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28266027/
[26] Brennan R, Wells JSG, Van Hout MC. Melanotropic peptides: more than just 'Barbie drugs' and 'sun-tan jabs'? Br J Dermatol. 2010 (review). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20545686/
[27] Change in moles linked to use of unlicensed "sun tan jab". 2009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19174439/
[28] Bonchev A. Changes in Oral Mucosa Associated with Melanotan II Injections: A Case Report. Life (Basel). 2026;16(2):265. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41752902/

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Field notes on the pigmentation literature — observations recorded, not a tan prescribed.