Sexual Health
PT-141
Melanocortin-4 receptor agonist (bremelanotide) FDA-approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
- Half-life
- ~2.7 hours
- Route
- Subcutaneous
Overview
PT-141 (bremelanotide, Vyleesi) is a cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-MSH, approved by the FDA in 2019 for premenopausal women with HSDD.
Mechanism of action
Central MC4R agonism in hypothalamic circuits governing sexual arousal — acts on desire pathways rather than peripheral vascular tissue like PDE5 inhibitors.
Evidence base
RECONNECT phase 3 trials showed significant improvement in desire and distress scores versus placebo. Off-label use in men is common.
Typical dosing
Label: 1.75 mg subcutaneously as needed, at least 45 minutes before anticipated activity, not more than once per 24 hours or 8 times per month. Open the dose calculator →
Safety & contraindications
Nausea (~40%), flushing, headache and transient blood-pressure increase are common. Contraindicated in uncontrolled hypertension or cardiovascular disease. May cause focal hyperpigmentation with repeated use.
Related peptides
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a prescription, or an offer to sell. Discuss any peptide therapy with a qualified clinician who can evaluate your history and monitoring needs.