Melanotan II — sometimes called MT2 — is a peptide promoted as a way to get a tan without spending time in the sun. You might see it sold as an injection or nasal spray, but Melanotan II isn’t an approved tanning product in Australia. The contents and strength of products are unreliable, and there are unanswered questions about its safety, with links to skin cancer.
What is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II is a synthetic (man-made) peptide that stimulates cells in the skin to produce melanin — the pigment that gives skin its colour. That’s why people use it to darken their skin.
Melanotan II can also affect sexual function by acting on cells in the brain. Erections and increased sexual desire have been reported with its use. These effects have contributed to interest in the drug, Melanotan II is not an approved treatment for erectile dysfunction or other sexual problems.
What are the risks of Melanotan II?
There is a range of potential side effects of using Melanotan II. The most common side effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and facial redness. There are also concerns about its link to skin cancer, with changes to existing freckles and moles and the appearance of new, atypical freckles and moles reported.
Other serious reactions have been described in case reports, such as priapism and rhabdomyolysis, a serious breakdown of muscle tissue, along with kidney dysfunction and other symptoms.
There is also uncertainty about what you’re actually getting when you buy these products. In 2026, the TGA tested five Melanotan II nasal spray bottles (a method of delivery that has no evidence for effectiveness) seized as part of an Australian investigation. They found that the volume of Melanotan II was incorrect and varied across the samples.
Medicines bought online may contain undisclosed or harmful ingredients, may not contain what the label says and may not meet Australian standards for quality, safety and efficacy.
Does Melanotan II cause melanoma?
There isn’t enough evidence to say that Melanotan II causes melanoma.
However, Melanotan II use is linked to changes in existing moles, appearance of new atypical moles and melanomas developing from existing moles during or shortly after Melanotan II use.
If you notice a new or changing mole or other unusual skin change, whether you use Melanotan II or not, get it checked by your GP.
Is Melanotan II legal in Australia?
There are no products containing Melanotan II included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) or approved for supply in Australia.
This means products being marketed to Australian consumers for tanning haven’t gone through the TGA assessment required to establish their quality, safety and efficacy.
The TGA says the supply and advertising of unapproved therapeutic goods in Australia is prohibited unless a relevant exemption applies.
If you’re considering using Melanotan II
There is no evidence about the long-term safety of Melanotan II use. There’s also no guarantee that a product bought online or through another unapproved source contains the amount of Melanotan II stated on its label.
If you’re already using Melanotan II and have concerns about its effects, speak to your GP or another health practitioner. The TGA advises people to stop using tanning products containing Melanotan II and take any remaining product to a local pharmacy for safe disposal.
People also ask
Is Melanotan 2 available for sale in Australia?
Melanotan is not legally for sale in Australia. Just because you can buy it online does not make it safe.
