Melanotan
OTHER NAME(S): Barbie drug, melanotan, melanotan II
Overview
Melanotan is a peptide that tells your body to make more skin pigment (melanin). Products that contain melanotan are used to darken the skin and for erectile dysfunction. However, melanotan may cause the skin to darken unevenly. It may also cause new moles to form, existing moles to get larger or darker, or dark lines on the nails. Other common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, reduced appetite, and facial redness. Serious side effects include a painful and prolonged erection and an increased risk of skin cancer. Before using melanotan, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking. Although melanotan may be available for purchase online, it is not considered a legal ingredient in the U.S.
Uses
What is melanotan used for?
Melanotan is commonly used as a tanning product to darken the skin. It may also be used for other reasons, such as erectile dysfunction. But using melanotan for any purpose may cause serious health problems.
Note: The FDA has not reviewed melanotan for any use. The FDA also does not consider melanotan to be a legal dietary or cosmetic ingredient in the U.S.
How does melanotan work (mechanism of action)?
Melanotan (also known as melanotan II) is a man-made peptide. It stimulates melanocytes, which are the cells in your body that provide pigment (melanin) to your skin. Melanotan may be found in nasal sprays and products that are injected under the skin (subcutaneous), even though it is not considered a legal ingredient in the U.S. It is sometimes referred to online as the “Barbie drug.”
Since melanotan stimulates the creation of pigment in your skin, it has gained popularity as a tanning product. But using melanotan can cause your skin to darken unevenly. It can also cause your existing moles to grow larger and darker and your body to form many new moles. Additionally, there is concern that long-term use of melanotan can increase your risk for skin cancer (melanoma). See Side Effects for more information.
In addition to telling your body to produce more skin pigment, melanotan can also increase sexual arousal in men and women. In men, it can cause an erection. But some men may have painful and prolonged erections (see Side Effects for more information). Before using melanotan, speak with your health care provider about your other options if you have erectile dysfunction or low sex drive.
How should I store melanotan?
You should store melanotan according to the product label. Most products available over the counter should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of melanotan?
The most common side effects of melanotan are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose or specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Brown or black lines on the nails (melanonychia)
- Darker skin tone, which may be uneven
- Facial redness or flushing
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- New moles or increased growth of existing moles
- Painful, prolonged erection (see below)
- Reduced appetite
There may be other side effects of melanotan that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of melanotan?
While less common, the most serious side effects of melanotan are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Melanotan may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using melanotan and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Melanoma.Using melanotan may increase your risk for a serious and life-threatening form of skin cancer called melanoma. This type of skin cancer grows faster than other forms of skin cancer and can spread to other parts of your body (metastasis). If you have any of the following symptoms of melanoma, contact your health care provider right away.
- Moles that look different from your other moles
- Moles that are no longer uniform in shape or color
- Moles that are increasing in size or have a rough (not smooth) border
- Moles that itch or bleed
Painful, Prolonged Erection (Priapism).Melanotan may cause an unwanted erection that is persistent and painful and may occur without sexual arousal. Permanent damage to the penis may occur if priapism is not treated quickly. Stop using melanotan and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of priapism.
- Erection lasting for more than four hours
- Erection that is unrelated to sexual stimulation
- Painful or tender penis
Precautions
Who should not use melanotan?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use melanotan.
- Afamelanotide
- Melanotan
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific melanotan products they stock.
Skin Cancer. Melanotan may increase your risk of skin cancer. If you have skin cancer or have had skin cancer in the past, you should not use melanotan.
What should I know about melanotan before using it?
The FDA does not consider melanotan to be a legal ingredient in any products. However, some nasal sprays and injections that contain melanotan may be available for purchase online. These products are not regulated and have not been tested to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. They have also not been tested to confirm that they are sterile and do not contain microbes that can cause infection.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep melanotan out of the reach of children.
Melanotan is commonly marketed as a tanning product. Although melanotan may darken your skin, it can also cause skin problems and may increase your risk for skin cancer. Having a tan, either from melanotan or other methods, does not protect your skin from the sun and should not replace the appropriate use of sunscreen.
What should I tell my health care provider before using melanotan?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if melanotan is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- Erectile dysfunction
- History of a prolonged, painful erection (priapism)
- Kidney problems
- Skin cancer, including melanoma
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how melanotan could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if melanotan passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does melanotan interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between melanotan and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect melanotan.
Does melanotan interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
The interactions between melanotan and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with melanotan is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before using melanotan with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much melanotan?
If you or someone else has used too much melanotan, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Melanotan products are not considered legal in the U.S. and have been associated with serious health problems. It may be best to avoid the use of these products. If you choose to use melanotan, speak with a health care provider about how to use melanotan safely. Do not use double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration: “Don’t risk using tanning products containing melanotan.”
- BMJ Case Reports: “Melanotan-induced priapism: a hard-earned tan.”
- CEN Case Reports: “Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report.”
- Chartered Trading Standards Institute: “Nasal tanning sprays linked with skin cancer and serious respiratory problems.”
- DermNet: “Melanotan II.”
- International Journal of Dermatology: “Risks of unregulated use of alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone analogues: a review.”
- International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: “Melanotan II nasal spray: a possible risk factor for oral mucosal malignant melanoma.”