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Compounds / PT-141

PT-141

Full name
Bremelanotide (PT-141)
Mechanism
Synthetic cyclic melanocortin receptor agonist (primarily MC4R), a metabolite of Melanotan II. Acts centrally in the hypothalamus to influence sexual arousal pathways independent of the vascular mechanism of PDE5 inhibitors.
Half-life
~2.7 hours
Administration
subcutaneous
Typical dosage*
low: 0.5-1mg · typical: 1.75mg SC (approved dose) · high: 2mg (off-label, higher side-effect risk)
Researched for
hypoactive sexual desire disorder (approved indication, premenopausal women), libido (off-label/anecdotal)
Reported side effects
nausea (common), flushing, headache, transient blood-pressure increase, focal hyperpigmentation with repeated use
Interactions
caution with antihypertensives (BP effects), avoid with uncontrolled hypertension/CV disease
Commonly combined
used standalone; not for stacking
Scheduling
🇦🇺 AUNot ARTG-registered (Vyleesi not marketed in AU); prescription-only if compounded
🇺🇸 USFDA-approved (Vyleesi) for HSDD in premenopausal women
🇬🇧 UKNot licensed
Regulatory status
FDA-approved as Vyleesi for a specific indication. Grey-market PT-141 is not the approved product.
Recon default
1000 mcg typical · 2 ml BAC · refrigerated

*Doses are commonly-reported figures from public sources, not a recommendation. Educational only.

15studies
9faqs
sexual-healthapproved-drugmelanocortin

Studies (15)

YearTitle / venueSource
2024Small Effects, Questionable Outcomes: Bremelanotide for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Journal of sex research · preclinical
PMID 36809187
2023Targeting the central melanocortin system for the treatment of metabolic disorders
Nature reviews. Endocrinology · preclinical
PMID 37365323
2023An evaluation of bremelanotide injection for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder
Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy · preclinical
PMID 36242769
2022Medical Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction
The Urologic clinics of North America · preclinical
PMID 35428435
2022Bremelanotide for Treatment of Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire
Neurology international · preclinical
PMID 35076581
2022Safety Profile of Bremelanotide Across the Clinical Development Program
Journal of women's health (2002) · human
PMID 35147466
2021Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women: Physiology, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Journal of midwifery & women's health · preclinical
PMID 34510696
2021Re-Analyzing Phase III Bremelanotide Trials for "Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder" in Women
Journal of sex research · preclinical
PMID 33678061
2020Bremelanotide: New Drug Approved for Treating Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
The Annals of pharmacotherapy · preclinical
PMID 31893927
2019Bremelanotide: First Approval
Drugs · preclinical
PMID 31429064
2019Bremelanotide for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Two Randomized Phase 3 Trials
Obstetrics and gynecology · human
PMID 31599840
2012Bremelanotide
· preclinical
PMID 34436837
2006Bremelanotide
· preclinical
PMID 31369224
2006An effect on the subjective sexual response in premenopausal women with sexual arousal disorder by bremelanotide (PT-141), a melanocortin receptor agonist
The journal of sexual medicine · human
PMID 16839319
2004PT-141 Palatin
Current opinion in investigational drugs (London, England : 2000) · preclinical
PMID 15134289

Questions (9)

What is PT-141?

PT-141 (Bremelanotide (PT-141)). Synthetic cyclic melanocortin receptor agonist (primarily MC4R), a metabolite of Melanotan II. Acts centrally in the hypothalamus to influence sexual arousal pathways independent of the vascular mechanism of PDE5 inhibitors.

What is PT-141 used for?

Commonly discussed uses: hypoactive sexual desire disorder (approved indication, premenopausal women), libido (off-label/anecdotal). There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Note: most uses are not approved indications.

How does PT-141 work?

Mechanism: Synthetic cyclic melanocortin receptor agonist (primarily MC4R), a metabolite of Melanotan II. Acts centrally in the hypothalamus to influence sexual arousal pathways independent of the vascular mechanism of PDE5 inhibitors.

Is PT-141 safe?

Reported considerations: nausea (common), flushing, headache, transient blood-pressure increase, focal hyperpigmentation with repeated use. There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. FDA-approved as Vyleesi for a specific indication. Grey-market PT-141 is not the approved product. This is not a safety endorsement; safety data for unapproved compounds is incomplete.

What is the typical dose of PT-141?

Commonly cited ranges (educational reference, not a recommendation): low 0.5-1mg, typical 1.75mg SC (approved dose), high 2mg (off-label, higher side-effect risk). Administration: subcutaneous. Half-life: ~2.7 hours.

Is PT-141 legal in Australia?

Australian status: Not ARTG-registered (Vyleesi not marketed in AU); prescription-only if compounded. FDA-approved as Vyleesi for a specific indication. Grey-market PT-141 is not the approved product. General regulatory context: most active peptides are Schedule 4 and require a prescription; import via the Personal Importation Scheme requires a valid Australian prescription for prescription-only goods.

How do you store PT-141?

Reconstitution/storage reference: approved product pre-filled autoinjector; research vials vary; storage: refrigerated.

What is PT-141 commonly stacked with?

Commonly discussed combinations (anecdotal for unapproved compounds): used standalone; not for stacking. Stacking increases interaction/safety uncertainty.