PT-141 is a synthetic cyclic melanocortin peptide investigated in receptor-pharmacology research. It is known in the peer-reviewed literature under its INN name, bremelanotide.

Is PT-141 the same as bremelanotide?

Yes, both names refer to the same chemical identity. However, a shared name does not mean a laboratory research material is supplied as, or is equivalent to, an approved medicine.

Is PT-141 the same as Melanotan II?

No. PT-141 was designed structurally from Melanotan II but is a distinct compound with a different CAS number, different molecular structure and its own receptor-selectivity profile.

Which receptors are involved in PT-141 research?

The melanocortin receptor family, with a research focus on MC4R and additional selectivity work covering MC3R, MC1R and MC5R.

Is PT-141 a melanocortin peptide?

Yes. It is a synthetic cyclic α-MSH-derived peptide investigated as a melanocortin-receptor agonist.

Is PepDirect PT-141 intended for human use?

No. PT-141 is supplied strictly as a laboratory research material. It is not marketed as a medicine, food supplement or product for human or veterinary use.

↳ Research overview

What Is PT-141 (Bremelanotide)?

PT-141 (also written PT 141, and known chemically as bremelanotide) is a synthetic cyclic melanocortin peptide investigated in receptor-pharmacology research. It emerged from the same broader alpha-MSH analogue research programme that produced Melanotan II but is a chemically distinct compound.

This guide covers PT-141's identity, receptor context and its relationship to Melanotan II, no usage guidance, no consumer-effect claims.

For laboratory research context only. PepDirect supplies PT-141 as a research material, not for human or veterinary use.

§ Identity

What is PT-141?

PT-141 is a synthetic cyclic melanocortin peptide originally developed by Palatin Technologies. It is a metabolite-inspired analogue of Melanotan II and is described in the peer-reviewed literature under its INN name, bremelanotide.

Compound: PT-141 / bremelanotide (cyclic melanocortin peptide)
CAS number: 189691-06-3
Molecular formula: C50H68N14O10
Molecular weight: ~1025.18 g/mol
PubChem CID: 9941379

Lot-specific identity and purity should be verified against the printed lot number and its corresponding Certificate of Analysis.

§ vs Melanotan II

How does PT-141 relate to Melanotan II?

PT-141 was derived structurally from Melanotan II by replacing the C-terminal residue with a hydroxyl group and modifying the cyclic core. The resulting compound has a different chemical identity, a different receptor-selectivity profile, and its own separate research literature.

The two compounds should not be treated as interchangeable. See the Melanotan I vs II comparison guide for the linear-vs-cyclic α-MSH analogue distinction that precedes both.

§ Receptors

Which melanocortin receptors are relevant to PT-141 research?

MC4R, the central melanocortin-4 receptor is the principal focus of published PT-141 pharmacology.
MC3R, additional receptor-selectivity work in the melanocortin family.
MC1R, MC5R, characterised for cross-reactivity in receptor-panel research.

Receptor activity is a mechanistic description. It is not a statement about tanning, sexual function or any human physiological outcome.

§ Evidence

What has PT-141 research investigated?

The published literature describes receptor pharmacology, preclinical neuropharmacology and clinical-development research conducted under the bremelanotide INN. Clinical-development results describe findings for the specific study material, formulation and population studied, they do not describe research use of the PepDirect material.

PepDirect supplies PT-141 as a laboratory research material and does not represent it as an approved medicine of any name, including bremelanotide.

§ Comparison

PT-141 vs Melanotan II

Chemical identity, distinct CAS numbers and molecular structures.
Structural relationship, PT-141 was designed from Melanotan II by removing/replacing the C-terminal residue.
Research history, PT-141/bremelanotide has a defined clinical-development literature; Melanotan II is characterised in receptor-selectivity and structure-activity research.
Receptor research, PT-141 research is centred on MC4R; Melanotan II research covers a broader MC1R/MC3R/MC4R/MC5R profile.

This is a chemical-identity comparison. It is not a 'which is better' recommendation for any research or personal application.

§ Naming

Is bremelanotide the same as PT-141?

The names refer to the same chemical identity. 'PT-141' is the research/development code (Palatin Technologies); 'bremelanotide' is the assigned INN used in peer-reviewed clinical literature.

Sharing a chemical name with a licensed medicinal product does NOT mean a PepDirect research material is supplied as, or is equivalent to, an approved medicine. Approval status, formulation, sterility documentation, regulatory oversight and labelled indications are set by the licensed manufacturer of the approved product, none of which apply to a laboratory research material.

§ Research product

View the PT-141 research product

PT-141 is supplied by PepDirect as a lyophilised research material with lot-specific documentation.

View PT-141 Research Peptide →

§ References

Selected research references

Bremelanotide (PT-141) · PubChem CID 9941379PubChem (NCBI)
Bremelanotide, selective melanocortin receptor agonist research overviewPubMed · King, Hu, Molinoff
Melanocortin receptors, MC3R / MC4R pharmacology reviewPubMed · Yang & Harmon
Central melanocortin signalling, hypothalamic and limbic pathway researchPubMed · Cone

§ FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is PT-141?: PT-141 is a synthetic cyclic melanocortin peptide investigated in receptor-pharmacology research. It is known in the peer-reviewed literature under its INN name, bremelanotide.
Is PT-141 the same as bremelanotide?: Yes, both names refer to the same chemical identity. However, a shared name does not mean a laboratory research material is supplied as, or is equivalent to, an approved medicine.
Is PT-141 the same as Melanotan II?: No. PT-141 was designed structurally from Melanotan II but is a distinct compound with a different CAS number, different molecular structure and its own receptor-selectivity profile.
Which receptors are involved in PT-141 research?: The melanocortin receptor family, with a research focus on MC4R and additional selectivity work covering MC3R, MC1R and MC5R.
Is PT-141 a melanocortin peptide?: Yes. It is a synthetic cyclic α-MSH-derived peptide investigated as a melanocortin-receptor agonist.
Is PepDirect PT-141 intended for human use?: No. PT-141 is supplied strictly as a laboratory research material. It is not marketed as a medicine, food supplement or product for human or veterinary use.

§ Related