PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
Cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist (MC4R-preferring)
Also known as Bremelanotide, PT-141, Vyleesi (proprietary name of the licensed product)
A metabolite/analogue of Melanotan II that differs by a C-terminal carboxylic acid. Licensed in the United States as a medicine for a specific indication; used in research as an MC4R-preferring reference agonist.
Technical information
Values are shown with their status. “Verified” means the value has been checked against a primary database such as PubChem.
- Classification
- Cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist (MC4R-preferring)
- CAS number
- 189691-06-3 Pending
- Molecular formula
- C50H68N14O10 Pending
- Molecular weight
- 1025.2 g/mol Pending
- Sequence / structure
- Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-OH (lactam-bridged; C-terminal acid) Pending
Some values are still being checked and should be treated as provisional until marked verified.
How this compound is tested
Cyclic peptide: LC-MS identity (distinguish from Melanotan II by the ~1 Da difference between amide and acid C-terminus — resolvable with adequate mass accuracy), HPLC purity.
Research background
Bremelanotide was developed by Palatin Technologies from Melanotan II after the latter's effects on sexual function were observed. It was approved by the US FDA in 2019 as Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. It is not licensed in the UK. Research use concerns melanocortin receptor pharmacology.
Mechanisms investigated in published research
These are the mechanisms examined in the cited literature. Describing them is not a claim that the compound produces any effect in humans.
- Melanocortin receptor agonism with preference for MC4R and activity at MC1R and MC3R.
- Central nervous system effects on sexual function studied in rodent models.
Summary of evidence
Laboratory and animal findings are kept separate from human clinical evidence.
Preclinical findings
Rodent sexual-behaviour studies and receptor pharmacology supporting development.
Human clinical evidence
1 citedTwo phase 3 randomised, placebo-controlled trials (RECONNECT; Kingsberg et al., 2019; n = 1267 combined) supported US approval of the licensed product for its indication. These data apply only to the licensed medicine.
Limitations and open questions
- Licensed in one jurisdiction for a narrow indication.
- Nausea and transient blood-pressure increases reported with the medicine.
- Research-grade material is not the licensed product.
Scientific references
Publications cited on this page. Links open the publisher or PubMed record.
[1]Kingsberg SA, Clayton AH, Portman D, et al.. Bremelanotide for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder: two randomized phase 3 trials. Obstetrics & Gynecology (2019).
Human clinical Citation pendingRECONNECT; licensed product.
Research use only
PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is described here for laboratory research. It is not approved for human or veterinary use unless a regulator has said otherwise, and nothing on this page is medical advice or guidance on administration. A disclaimer does not by itself make any activity lawful. Full disclaimer.
Contact options
Talk to the Positive Peptides team about PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
Order enquiries, documentation requests and technical questions about this compound — we answer directly, usually within two working days.
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