Melanotan 2 (MT-2) is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that activates melanocortin receptors to stimulate eumelanin production — the pigment responsible for skin darkening. Research has also documented effects on libido through MC4R receptor activation. It is unrelated to melatonin.

Quick Answer

To reconstitute a 10mg Melanotan 2 vial, add 2ml of bacteriostatic water. This gives a concentration of 5000mcg/ml (5mg/ml). At this concentration, a 500mcg dose = 0.1ml — that is 10 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe. Melanotan 2 is not approved for human use.

Dose Reference Table

Pre-calculated for a 10mg vial + 2ml BAC water = 5,000 mcg/ml concentration. Using a 100-unit (1ml) insulin syringe.

Dose Inject Volume (ml) Syringe Units
250mcg 0.050 ml 5 units
500mcg 0.100 ml 10 units
750mcg 0.150 ml 15 units
1000mcg 0.200 ml 20 units
1500mcg 0.300 ml 30 units

About Melanotan 2

Melanotan 2 is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a melanocortin peptide originally developed at the University of Arizona as a potential sunless tanning agent and treatment for sexual dysfunction. PT-141 was later derived from Melanotan 2 by removing the cyclic lactam ring.

Melanotan 2 activates melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R), driving melanin production via MC1R, reducing appetite, and influencing sexual arousal via MC3R/MC4R. This multi-receptor activity gives it a broader profile than PT-141.

Melanotan 2 is supplied in 10mg vials. Using 2ml of bacteriostatic water yields 5,000 mcg/ml. To convert doses between units, use the mcg to mg converter. For a full walkthrough of the reconstitution process, see the guide on how to reconstitute peptides.

Safety warning: Melanotan 2 is a research compound and is not approved for human use by any regulatory body (FDA, EMA, or MHRA), and unlicensed products sold as "melanotan" have been seized as unregulated injectables. Reported side effects include nausea, spontaneous erections, facial flushing, appetite loss, and — notably — darkening, enlargement, and appearance of new moles. Because MT-2 stimulates melanocytes, the dermatology literature has raised concern about new or changing pigmented lesions and a possible link to melanoma; anyone using it who develops new or changing moles should seek dermatologic evaluation. This page is a math tool only and does not provide dosing guidance.

How this calculator works

Every result comes from the same three formulas used for any lyophilized peptide: concentration (mcg/ml) = vial mg × 1,000 ÷ BAC water ml; injection volume (ml) = desired dose mcg ÷ concentration; syringe units = injection volume ml × 100 on a U-100 syringe.

For the preset Melanotan 2 setup on this page: a 10mg vial mixed with 2ml of bacteriostatic water gives a concentration of 5,000 mcg/ml. A 500mcg dose then needs 0.10ml, which is 10 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe.

The full methodology, with worked examples and the assumptions behind each formula, is on the methodology page.

Accuracy & limitations

The arithmetic itself is exact — the same inputs always produce the same output. Real-world accuracy depends on things outside the calculator: actual vial contents can vary slightly from the labeled amount within manufacturing tolerance, the BAC water volume should be measured carefully, and syringe readings are taken at the bottom edge of the plunger. Reconstituted peptides also degrade over time (the common guidance is to use within about 28 days refrigerated), which the math does not model. This tool does arithmetic only — it does not recommend doses, and it is not medical advice.

Last reviewed: September 2026 · Content, formulas and sources checked by Kanika

Frequently Asked Questions

Add 2ml of bacteriostatic water to a 10mg Melanotan 2 vial. This gives a concentration of 5000mcg/ml (5mg/ml). At this concentration a 500mcg dose equals 0.1ml or 10 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe.
Enter your vial size in mg (typically 10mg), the amount of bacteriostatic water you are adding in ml, and your desired dose in mcg. The calculator instantly shows your concentration in mcg/ml, the injection volume in ml, and the number of units to draw on a 100-unit insulin syringe.
Concentration (mcg/ml) = vial mg × 1000 ÷ BAC water ml. A 10mg vial with 2ml of bacteriostatic water gives 10,000 ÷ 2 = 5000mcg/ml (5mg/ml). Injection volume (ml) = desired dose ÷ concentration, and syringe units = ml × 100 on a U-100 syringe.
Pure arithmetic: a 10mg vial contains 10,000mcg, so it covers 10,000 ÷ (daily dose) days of supply — 20 days at 500mcg per day, or 40 days at 250mcg per day. Note that once reconstituted, the solution is typically considered usable for only about 30 days refrigerated, so the arithmetic may exceed the practical window. This is math only — not dosing guidance.
Bacteriostatic water is strongly recommended over sterile water for Melanotan 2. Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol which prevents bacterial growth and extends shelf life to 30 days. Sterile water has no preservative so the reconstituted peptide must be used within 24 hours.
The calculator computes three values: concentration in mcg/ml (vial size × 1000 ÷ BAC water volume), injection volume in ml (desired dose ÷ concentration), and syringe units (injection volume × 100). These values tell you exactly how much to draw into your insulin syringe for each dose.

Melanotan 2 — 10mg Vial Reconstitution Guide

BAC Water Added Concentration 250mcg dose 500mcg dose 1mg dose
1ml 10,000mcg/ml 0.025ml (2.5 units) 0.05ml (5 units) 0.1ml (10 units)
2ml recommended 5,000mcg/ml 0.05ml (5 units) 0.1ml (10 units) 0.2ml (20 units)
3ml 3,333mcg/ml 0.075ml (7.5 units) 0.15ml (15 units) 0.3ml (30 units)

Most protocols use 2ml BAC water per 10mg vial giving 5mg/ml concentration. Use the BAC water calculator for other vial sizes.

How Long Does 10mg of Melanotan 2 Last?

A 10mg vial contains 10,000mcg of Melanotan 2. At 500mcg per day, a single vial works out to exactly 20 days of supply.

At 250mcg per day, the same 10mg vial works out to 40 days arithmetically — but note that once mixed with bacteriostatic water and refrigerated at 2–8°C, the solution is typically considered stable for only 30 days, so the practical window can end before the supply math does.

At 1000mcg per week, 10mg works out to roughly 10 weeks on paper — far beyond the 30-day refrigerated window per vial, which is why reconstituting in smaller batches is a common arithmetic consideration.

Supply Calculator — 10mg Vial
A 10mg vial lasts 10.0 weeks at this dose.

How to Reconstitute Melanotan 2 — Step by Step

Full instructions for how to reconstitute peptides apply here. For Melanotan 2 specifically:

  1. Allow the Melanotan 2 vial to reach room temperature before reconstituting.
  2. Wipe the rubber stopper of both the MT2 vial and bacteriostatic water vial with an alcohol swab.
  3. Draw 2ml of bacteriostatic water into a fresh insulin syringe using the BAC water calculator to confirm your volume.
  4. Insert the needle at an angle through the rubber stopper of the MT2 vial.
  5. Slowly inject the BAC water down the inside wall of the vial — do not squirt directly onto the powder.
  6. Gently swirl the vial between your palms until fully dissolved — never shake.
  7. The solution should be clear and colourless. Discard if cloudy or discoloured.
  8. Store in the refrigerator immediately and use within 30 days.