Sexual Health•FDA Approved
💊PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
FDA-approved (Vyleesi, 2019) CNS melanocortin receptor agonist. Acts via MC3R/MC4R in hypothalamus — not peripherally. Effective in PDE5 non-responders.
Amino acids
7 (cyclic)
Mol. weight
1025.2 Da
Half-life
2.7 hours
Availability
In stock
Amino acid sequence
Cyclic heptapeptide α-MSH analogueWhat Is PT-141?
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide and active metabolite of Melanotan II. FDA-approved in 2019 as Vyleesi™ for premenopausal HSDD — the first and only approved sexual dysfunction treatment to act centrally via melanocortin receptors rather than peripherally via vascular mechanisms.
Key Mechanisms
- MC4R agonism (PVN) — triggers dopamine release in NAc; initiates central sexual arousal
- MC3R agonism (ARC) — sexual motivation via mesolimbic dopamine pathway
- Spinal pro-erectile centres — MC4R in thoracolumbar cord; effective in PDE5 non-responders
- Endogenous oxytocin release — PVN MC4R activation stimulates OT neurons — pharmacological OTR synergy
Key References
- Kingsberg SA et al. "Bremelanotide for HSDD." Obstet Gynecol, 2019;134(5):899–908.
- Shadiack AM et al. "Melanocortins in treatment of male and female sexual dysfunction." Curr Top Med Chem, 2007;7:1137–1144.
Related in Sexual Health
💊Melanocortin
Melanotan II
Non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist (MC1R–MC5R). Precursor to PT-141 (bremelanotide). Promotes melanogenesis, sexual arousal, and appetite suppression. Extensive preclinical and human data.
💊Social Neuropeptide
Oxytocin
Nonapeptide governing social bonding, trust, pair bonding, arousal, and reproductive function. Primary research tool for social neuroscience, ASD, PTSD, and attachment biology.