Sexual Health

Bremelanotide

Vyleesi · PT-141 · bremelanotide acetate

Bremelanotide (Vyleesi / PT-141) is an FDA-approved, deeply central-acting melanocortin agonist used exclusively for severe Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). Evolving directly from the sexual side effects discovered in Melanotan II, it was meticulously stripped of its tanning capabilities and aggressively optimized to trigger raw sexual arousal. It functions entirely differently than physical blood flow modifiers like Viagra, operating solely within the brain’s arousal matrix.

Not FDA-approved - research chemical
Reviewed by CalcMyPeptide Editorial Team
Last updated: August 2026Evidence: High1 peer-reviewed citation
Typical research dose
1.75 mg (FDA approved dose)
Frequency
As needed (≥45 min before activity, max 1×/24 hours, ≤8×/month)
Half-life
~2.7 hours
Common vials
10 mg
CAS
189691-06-3
Molecular weight
1025.17 g/mol

Use-case scores

0–10 against the evidence we have, not a gym ranking. Hidden domains do not apply here.

  • Sexual / hormonal7.5/10

    Same molecule as PT-141. Score the labeled HSDD product, not a second drug.

Compound card

Class
Same INN as PT-141 (Vyleesi)
Formula
C50H68N14O10
Status
Not FDA-approved · research use
Dose it
10 mg + 2 mL BAC water → 5 mg/mL · 500 mcg ≈ 10 units (U-100)
Open in calculator

How it works

Bremelanotide (PT-141) is a melanocortin receptor agonist acting on MC3R and MC4R in the central nervous system. This is the same compound listed under the slug "pt-141" - bremelanotide is the INN name while PT-141 was the research designation. It was FDA-approved as Vyleesi® in 2019 for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. Unlike PDE5 inhibitors, it works via central neural pathways governing desire rather than peripheral vascular effects.

Source: PMID: 31298622 (RECONNECT Phase 3)

Research Use Cases

  • ✓HSDD (Female): High
  • ✓Male Sexual Dysfunction (off-label): Moderate

Dosing

PhaseDoseFrequencyNotes
Low/Test500 - 750 mcgAs needed (≤1×/24h)Start here to gauge nausea tolerance. Inject 45-60 min prior.
FDA Standard1.75 mgAs needed (≤8×/month)Approved dose for HSDD (Vyleesi). Used off-label for both sexes.

Administration

Route / form
Subcutaneous injection (abdomen or thigh)
Timing
45-60 minutes before anticipated sexual activity. No fasting required.
Empty stomach?
No - Food timing is not critical.

Timeline

45-60 min
Onset of arousal enhancement. Nausea most common in this window.
1-4 hours
Peak effect. Total duration 6-12 hours.

Who it is for

HSDD (Female)

High

FDA-approved. First central-acting HSDD treatment for premenopausal women (Vyleesi).

Male Sexual Dysfunction (off-label)

Moderate

Central MC4R mechanism complements or replaces PDE5 inhibitors.

Reconstitution

VialWaterConcentrationExample dose
10 mg lyophilized2 mL BAC5 mg/mLSame math as PT-141. Prefer that leaf.

Change vial size or water volume? Open the reconstitution calculator.

Safety & Considerations

FDA-approved (Vyleesi). Common: nausea, flushing, headache, hyperpigmentation (face/gums/breast - usually resolves). Transient BP elevation - not for uncontrolled hypertension. Max 1 dose/24h, 8/month.

Regulatory & Legal Status

FDA Status (US)
Research Only
WADA Status (2026)
Not Listed

Not currently on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List. Policies may change - verify before competition.

Classification

Research Chemical

US Compounding: Not eligible / not available

⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory updates. Always verify with official FDA, WADA, and jurisdiction-specific sources before use.

Limits of current evidence

  • Not a second melanocortin program.
  • Vyleesi is the labeled product. Research cakes are not.

Verdict

Bremelanotide is PT-141. Use the PT-141 leaf for vial math. This SKU exists so searchers landing on the INN do not think it is a different peptide.

Interactions & Contraindications

FDA-approved (Vyleesi). Common: nausea, flushing, headache, hyperpigmentation (face/gums/breast - usually resolves). Transient BP elevation - not for uncontrolled hypertension. Max 1 dose/24h, 8/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bremelanotide the same as PT-141?▼
Yes. PT-141 was the research code; bremelanotide is the International Non-proprietary Name (INN). Vyleesi is the brand name of the FDA-approved 1.75 mg auto-injector.
Does bremelanotide cause hyperpigmentation?▼
Yes - transient darkening of the face, gums, and breasts can occur. This usually resolves after stopping but may persist in some users. Do not exceed recommended dosing frequency.

References

  1. Simon JA et al. “"Bremelanotide for Female Sexual Dysfunctions in Premenopausal Women (RECONNECT)".” Obstetrics & Gynecology (2019). PMID: 31241598

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