Limited · human
This case report describes a single patient who self-administered Melanotan II (an unlicensed synthetic melanocortin peptide analog) over 64 days to achieve a tanning effect, with a three-month follow-up period after discontinuation. At the initial intraoral examination, clinicians observed brown pigmentation on the attached gingiva of both the maxillary and mandibular arches, distributed in a near-symmetrical pattern with greater intensity in the anterior mandibular region. Additional irregularly shaped, poorly defined pigmented lesions were noted on both left and right buccal mucosa. Following cessation of injections, the buccal mucosal pigmentation had nearly resolved by the one-month follow-up. However, gingival pigmentation persisted at three months, albeit with noticeably reduced intensity. The authors note that Melanotan II acts primarily via melanocortin 1 receptor activation on melanocytes, stimulating eumelanin production independently of UV exposure. The report highlights a gap in the published literature regarding the timeline for resolution of oral pigmentation associated with Melanotan II use, positioning this case as a contribution to a sparse evidence base. Key limitations include the single-patient design, absence of histological confirmation, and inability to control for confounding factors.
Life (Basel, Switzerland) · Feb 2026DOI ↗ Limited · human
This case report describes a 65-year-old woman who developed pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) — a rare, rapidly progressing neutrophilic skin ulceration — at abdominal injection sites following use of the synthetic peptide melanotan. Four ulcerated wounds with erythematous borders were observed, clinically correlating with the injection sites. A diagnosis of PG was established based on wound appearance and progression, failure to respond to multiple antibiotic courses, and negative bacteriology (including negative Panton-Valentine leukocidin Staphylococcus aureus testing). The patient was treated with topical betamethasone, steroid occlusion tape, and oral prednisolone, with the prednisolone subsequently tapered and topical Dermovate initiated. The wounds healed over several months, leaving characteristic cribriform scarring. The authors acknowledge that while drug-induced PG has rarely been documented, this appears to be the first reported case of melanotan-induced PG in the literature. Key limitations include the inherent constraints of a single case report: no causal mechanism is established, there is no control or comparator, and generalizability is very limited. The report serves primarily to raise clinical awareness of a potentially serious and previously unreported adverse effect of melanotan use.
Limited · human
This prospective qualitative study surveyed 104 consecutive patients attending a pigmented lesion clinic at a tertiary referral dermatology centre in Ireland to examine the characteristics, attitudes, and behaviours of sunbed users. Using an anonymous self-reported questionnaire, researchers collected data on demographics, frequency of sunbed use, motivations, and use of unregulated tan-enhancing agents such as Melanotan I and II. The study found that sunbed users were predominantly younger women living in urban areas, consistent with prior literature. Regulatory non-compliance was widespread: over half of sunbed premises reportedly did not provide protective goggles, and nearly half offered no health risk information to customers. Key motivations for use included improving appearance and self-confidence. Notably, greater awareness of health risks did not correlate with reduced sunbed use, suggesting a potentially compulsive or addictive behavioural pattern. Users of tan-enhancing agents also used sunbeds more frequently than non-users. The authors suggest psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy may be beneficial and call for stricter regulatory enforcement. Limitations include the single-centre design, small sample size, self-reported data susceptible to bias, and a clinic-based population that may not represent the general public.
Skin health and disease · May 2025DOI ↗ Limited · human
This paper reports the case of a 22-year-old female who developed a mucosal malignant melanoma of the anterior maxilla following use of Melanotan II, an unlicensed synthetic analogue of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) administered as a nasal spray for cosmetic tanning purposes. Histological analysis confirmed the malignant melanoma diagnosis, and the patient was subsequently treated with surgical resection followed by immunotherapy. The authors conducted a supporting literature review examining the potential association between Melanotan II use and malignant melanoma development. They note that Melanotan II is illegal to sell in the United Kingdom and many other countries due to its unlicensed status and safety concerns. The paper highlights awareness of serious potential adverse effects linked to Melanotan II use. As a single case report, it cannot establish causation between Melanotan II use and oral mucosal melanoma; the temporal association is notable but confounding factors and the rarity of the event limit broader conclusions. The authors call for greater public and clinical awareness of risks associated with unregulated tanning peptides.
International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery · Apr 2025DOI ↗ Limited · human
This paper presents a case report of a 27-year-old male with no relevant medical history who attended an emergency department two hours after self-administering Melanotan II (also marketed as a "Barbie drug") subcutaneously. Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that stimulates eumelanin production to induce skin pigmentation without sun exposure. It is readily available for purchase online and in gyms, despite not being approved for clinical use. Following self-administration, the patient developed sympathomimetic symptoms requiring treatment with lorazepam, supplemental potassium, and intravenous fluid resuscitation. The authors also note that prior research has associated Melanotan II use with the development of new pigmented and dysplastic naevi, raising additional dermatological safety concerns. The paper concludes that despite its easy accessibility, Melanotan II carries real and potentially serious risks. Key limitations include its single-patient case design, which precludes generalization about incidence or severity of adverse effects across the broader population of users.
Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde · May 2022Source ↗ Limited · human
This case report by Mallory, Lopategui, and Cordon (Sexual Medicine, 2021) describes a single patient who developed acute ischemic priapism following subcutaneous self-administration of Melanotan II, a synthetic melanocortin analog that is illicitly sold online and used in unlicensed clinics as a sunless tanning agent and sexual stimulant. The authors note that Melanotan II has also been investigated as a potential treatment for erectile dysfunction. In this case, standard first-line management — including cavernosal aspiration, irrigation, and intracavernous phenylephrine injection — failed to achieve detumescence. The patient ultimately required surgical intervention via penoscrotal decompression, which the authors describe as a promising technique for refractory ischemic priapism. The report notes that priapism associated with Melanotan II had only been documented twice previously in the literature. The authors conclude that priapism should be recognized as a possible adverse effect of Melanotan II and that future therapeutic investigations and clinical guidelines should account for this risk. Key limitations include the inherent constraints of a single case report: findings cannot be generalized, causality cannot be definitively established, and no controlled comparison is possible.
Sexual medicine · Jan 2021DOI ↗ Limited · human
This paper presents a case report combined with a literature review examining a possible association between Melanotan II (MTII) — a non-selective melanocortin-receptor agonist commonly used illicitly for skin tanning, penile erection, and sexual stimulation — and renal infarction. The authors describe a patient who experienced renal infarction most likely attributed to MTII use. Renal infarction, an uncommon and potentially life-threatening condition caused by acute disruption of renal blood flow, is noted to be frequently misdiagnosed or diagnosed late. The paper reviews prior literature documenting MTII-associated rhabdomyolysis and renal failure, and proposes two potential mechanisms of renal injury: a thrombotic pharmacological effect and possible direct toxic effects on renal parenchyma. Limitations are significant: evidence rests on a single case and a narrative review of prior case-level reports, meaning causality cannot be formally established. No controlled data are available, and the condition's rarity makes systematic study difficult. The authors conclude that MTII's thrombotic and potentially nephrotoxic properties warrant clinical awareness, particularly given the compound's widespread unregulated use.
CEN case reports · Jan 2020DOI ↗