Melanotan-II Dosing Protocols

Understanding Dosing Challenges

Dosing Melanotan-II presents unique challenges that don't exist with FDA-approved medications. The primary issue is the complete absence of pharmaceutical-grade products with verified potency. A vial labeled "10 mg" might contain anywhere from 5 mg to 15 mg of actual peptide, or even less if the product is degraded or contaminated. This variability makes it impossible to provide precise dosing recommendations that will work consistently across different products and sources.

Additionally, individual responses to MT-II vary dramatically based on genetics (particularly MC1R and MC4R variants), body weight, baseline melanin levels, prior UV exposure, and numerous other factors. What produces mild tanning in one person might cause severe side effects in another. This necessitates a highly individualized approach with careful dose titration.

The dosing protocols described here represent common practices based on limited clinical trial data from the 1990s-2000s and extensive anecdotal user experiences. However, they should be viewed as starting points for experimentation rather than definitive guidelines. Users must be prepared to adjust based on their individual responses and tolerance.

Reconstitution and Preparation

Materials Needed

• Melanotan-II powder: Typically supplied in 10 mg vials (though actual content may vary)
• Bacteriostatic water: For reconstitution (NOT sterile water, saline, or tap water)
• Insulin syringes: 0.5 mL or 1.0 mL with 29-31 gauge needles
• Alcohol swabs: For sterilizing vial tops and injection sites
• Sharps container: For safe needle disposal

Reconstitution Process

Step 1: Calculate dilution

Decide on final concentration based on desired dosing precision. Common dilutions:

• 2 mL bacteriostatic water in 10 mg vial = 5 mg/mL concentration
  • 0.05 mL (5 units) = 0.25 mg
  • 0.10 mL (10 units) = 0.50 mg
  • 0.20 mL (20 units) = 1.00 mg
• 1 mL bacteriostatic water in 10 mg vial = 10 mg/mL concentration
  • 0.025 mL (2.5 units) = 0.25 mg
  • 0.05 mL (5 units) = 0.50 mg
  • 0.10 mL (10 units) = 1.00 mg

Step 2: Prepare workspace

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
• Clean work surface with alcohol or disinfectant
• Gather all materials in clean area
• Remove flip-off caps from vials

Step 3: Reconstitute peptide

• Swab tops of both MT-II and bacteriostatic water vials with alcohol
• Draw desired amount of bacteriostatic water into syringe
• Inject water slowly down the side of the MT-II vial (NOT directly onto powder)
• Allow water to gently dissolve powder without shaking or agitating
• Gently swirl vial if needed to complete dissolution (do not shake vigorously)
• Solution should be clear and colorless; discard if cloudy, discolored, or contains particles

Step 4: Storage

• Store reconstituted MT-II in refrigerator (2-8°C / 36-46°F)
• Protect from light (wrap vial in foil or store in dark container)
• Use within 30 days of reconstitution (bacteriostatic water preservative effective for ~30 days)
• Do not freeze
• Discard if appearance changes or contamination suspected

Drawing and Administering Dose

Preparation:

• Remove vial from refrigerator and allow to reach room temperature (5-10 minutes)
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Swab vial top with alcohol
• Draw slightly more than needed dose, then expel air bubbles and adjust to exact dose

Injection technique:

• Choose injection site: abdomen (2 inches from navel), thigh, or upper arm
• Clean site with alcohol swab and allow to dry
• Pinch skin to create fold
• Insert needle at 45-90 degree angle into subcutaneous tissue
• Inject slowly and steadily
• Withdraw needle and apply gentle pressure with alcohol swab
• Dispose of needle in sharps container immediately
• Rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage

Dosing Protocols by Goal

Protocol 1: Tanning (Primary Goal)

For individuals primarily seeking skin pigmentation with minimal sexual or appetite effects:

Loading Phase (Days 1-14):

• Day 1-3: 0.25 mg once daily (assess tolerance)
• Day 4-7: 0.50 mg once daily (if tolerating well)
• Day 8-14: 0.50-0.75 mg once daily
• Optional UV exposure: 10-20 minutes natural sunlight or tanning bed 2-3x weekly

Maintenance Phase (After desired tan achieved):

• Frequency: 0.50 mg 2-3 times per week
• Timing: Can be same days each week or spread evenly
• Duration: Indefinite as long as tan maintenance desired
• UV exposure: Minimal to none needed for maintenance

Expected timeline:

• Days 3-5: First noticeable darkening
• Days 7-10: Obvious tan development
• Days 14-21: Near-maximal pigmentation
• Days 21-28: Maximal tan achieved

Notes:

• Fair-skinned individuals (Fitzpatrick I-II) may see more dramatic results
• Darker-skinned individuals (Fitzpatrick IV-VI) will see subtle enhancement
• Tan quality differs from UV-induced tanning (more uniform, possibly more golden)
• All moles and freckles will darken significantly

Protocol 2: Sexual Enhancement (Primary Goal)

For individuals primarily seeking sexual function enhancement:

On-Demand Dosing:

• Starting dose: 0.50 mg 1-4 hours before anticipated sexual activity
• Timing: Effects typically begin 1-2 hours post-injection, peak at 3-4 hours
• Duration: Effects last 6-12 hours, sometimes longer
• Dose adjustment: Can increase to 1.0-2.0 mg if 0.50 mg insufficient (assess tolerance first)
• Frequency: As needed, but allow 48-72 hours between doses initially

Regular Dosing (for chronic low libido):

• Starting dose: 0.25 mg every other day
• Titration: Increase to 0.50 mg every other day after 1 week if needed
• Maximum: 1.0 mg every other day (higher doses increase side effects significantly)
• Duration: Can continue long-term, but periodic breaks recommended

Expected effects:

• Men: Spontaneous erections, increased libido, improved erectile rigidity, enhanced stamina
• Women: Increased desire, enhanced sensitivity, improved lubrication, more intense orgasms
• Both: Increased sexual thoughts, heightened arousal to stimuli

Important warnings:

• Do not combine with PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis) without medical supervision
• Seek immediate care if erection lasts >4 hours
• Effects can be distracting or socially awkward; plan timing accordingly
• Tanning will occur as side effect even with sexual-focused dosing

Protocol 3: Weight Loss/Appetite Suppression

For individuals primarily seeking appetite suppression and weight loss:

Initial Phase (Weeks 1-2):

• Week 1: 0.25 mg once daily (morning or early afternoon)
• Week 2: 0.50 mg once daily if tolerating well
• Timing: Inject 2-4 hours before typical hunger peak

Continuation Phase (Weeks 3+):

• Dose: 0.50-1.0 mg once daily or every other day
• Frequency: Daily for maximum appetite suppression, or every other day for moderate effect
• Duration: 8-12 weeks maximum, then take 4-8 week break
• Monitoring: Weekly weigh-ins, ensure adequate nutrition

Expected results:

• Appetite suppression begins 2-4 hours post-injection
• Effects last 8-16 hours
• Weight loss typically 1-2 lbs per week (if combined with appropriate nutrition)
• Some tolerance may develop after 4-8 weeks

Critical nutritional guidelines:

• Minimum protein: 0.8-1.0 g/kg body weight daily (higher if exercising)
• Minimum calories: Never below 1200 kcal/day for women, 1500 kcal/day for men
• Micronutrients: Consider multivitamin to ensure adequate intake
• Hydration: Minimum 2-3 liters water daily
• Monitoring: Track food intake to ensure adequacy despite suppressed appetite

Warning signs of inadequate nutrition:

• Excessive fatigue or weakness
• Hair loss
• Brittle nails
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Mood changes or irritability
• Menstrual irregularities (women)
• Weight loss >2 lbs per week consistently

Protocol 4: Combined Goals

Many users seek multiple effects simultaneously. Combined protocols require careful balancing:

Tanning + Sexual Enhancement:

• Use tanning protocol as base (0.50 mg daily during loading, then 2-3x weekly maintenance)
• Increase dose to 1.0-1.5 mg on days when sexual activity anticipated
• Time higher doses 2-4 hours before sexual activity
• Be prepared for more pronounced side effects with higher doses

Tanning + Weight Loss:

• Use weight loss protocol (0.50-1.0 mg daily or every other day)
• Tanning will occur automatically as side effect
• May achieve desired tan faster due to higher/more frequent dosing
• Monitor nutrition carefully due to appetite suppression

All Three Goals:

• Start with 0.50 mg daily for 1-2 weeks
• Increase to 1.0 mg daily if tolerating well and effects insufficient
• Can increase to 1.5 mg on days when sexual activity anticipated
• Expect all effects: tanning, appetite suppression, sexual enhancement
• Also expect more pronounced side effects (nausea, flushing, etc.)

Dose Adjustments and Troubleshooting

If Effects Are Insufficient

Before increasing dose, consider:

• Product potency may be lower than labeled (common issue)
• Insufficient time elapsed (tanning takes 2-4 weeks for full effect)
• Individual genetic factors (MC1R variants affect tanning response)
• Baseline skin color (darker skin shows less dramatic change)

If increasing dose:

• Increase by 0.25 mg increments only
• Wait at least 3-5 days between increases
• Never exceed 2.0 mg per dose
• Monitor for increased side effects
• Consider that product may be underdosed rather than increasing indefinitely

If Side Effects Are Excessive

Immediate actions:

• Reduce dose by 50% for next injection
• Increase interval between doses (e.g., every other day instead of daily)
• Inject before bedtime so side effects occur during sleep
• Use anti-nausea medications if needed

If side effects persist despite dose reduction:

• Consider discontinuing MT-II
• Evaluate whether benefits justify side effects
• Explore alternative approaches to goals (self-tanner, PDE5 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists)

If Tolerance Develops

Some users report reduced effects with prolonged use, particularly for appetite suppression:

Strategies to address tolerance:

• Cycling: Take 4-8 week breaks after 8-12 weeks of use
• Dose reduction: Lower dose for 2-4 weeks, then return to previous dose
• Frequency adjustment: Switch from daily to every other day dosing
• Acceptance: Recognize that some tolerance is normal and effects may stabilize at lower level

Note: Tanning effects typically don't show tolerance—tan remains stable with maintenance dosing. Tolerance primarily affects appetite and possibly sexual effects.

Special Populations and Considerations

Body Weight Adjustments

While no formal weight-based dosing exists, some users adjust based on body weight:

• <60 kg (132 lbs): Start at 0.25 mg, maximum 1.0 mg
• 60-90 kg (132-198 lbs): Standard dosing (0.25-2.0 mg range)
• >90 kg (198 lbs): May require higher end of dosing range for equivalent effects

However, individual variation is enormous, and body weight is just one factor. Genetics, receptor sensitivity, and product potency are equally or more important.

First-Time Users

Individuals new to MT-II should follow conservative approach:

• Start with 0.25 mg or even 0.10-0.15 mg for first dose
• Inject in evening so side effects occur during sleep
• Have anti-nausea medication available
• Clear schedule for 6-8 hours post-injection (in case of side effects)
• Wait 48-72 hours before second dose to fully assess response
• Increase dose gradually over weeks, not days

Experienced Users

Users with prior MT-II experience may:

• Start at previously tolerated dose (if using same product source)
• Still start low if using new product source (potency may differ)
• Recognize their individual response patterns
• Adjust dosing based on specific goals and tolerance

Switching Products or Sources

When changing MT-II products:

• Assume new product has different potency
• Start at 50% of previous dose
• Titrate up based on response
• Be prepared for different side effect profile
• Consider that effects may be stronger or weaker than previous product

Overdose and Emergency Situations

What Constitutes Overdose?

No formal overdose threshold exists, but doses >2.0 mg significantly increase serious adverse event risk. Symptoms of excessive dosing include:

• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Extreme flushing and vasodilation
• Dangerously low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia >120 bpm)
• Prolonged erection (>4 hours)
• Severe headache
• Confusion or altered mental status

Immediate Actions for Suspected Overdose

• Call 911 or go to emergency room if symptoms are severe
• Inform medical personnel about MT-II use and approximate dose
• Bring product vial/packaging if possible
• Monitor vital signs if able (blood pressure, heart rate)
• Stay hydrated
• Do not take additional doses

Treatment

No specific antidote exists for MT-II overdose. Treatment is supportive:

• IV fluids for hydration and blood pressure support
• Anti-nausea medications
• Blood pressure management (medications if needed)
• Priapism treatment if erection >4 hours
• Monitoring until symptoms resolve

Most overdose symptoms resolve within 12-24 hours as the peptide is metabolized and eliminated. However, serious complications like priapism require immediate intervention to prevent permanent damage.