At a glance
What is it—and why does it matter?
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is described as a synthetic peptide designed to mimic the melanocortin peptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. In the subgroup that attempted sexual intercourse within 24 hours post-treatment, satisfaction with level of sexual arousal was higher after bremelanotide than after placebo, with P = 0.0256. Dose proportionality in exposure is described in healthy subjects: mean Cmax and AUC(0-t) rose in a dose-dependent manner following intranasal PT-141.
Sources for this introduction: [1] [2] [3]
This published profile is a reference in progress. Findings retain their source context; missing topics are marked below.
What is it?
A molecule, not a product name.
Identity
PT-141 is presented as an MTII analog (a modified peptide related to melanotan II).
1 cited source · Study independence not established
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
1 cited passage across 1 source record. 1 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“A new MTII analog, PT-141 (Palatin Technologies)”
Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. · Abstract
pubmed:16412534:68d795be6f84:68d795be6f84
Identity
PT-141 is described as a synthetic peptide designed as an analogue of alpha-MSH (alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone).
1 cited source · Study independence not established
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
1 cited passage across 1 source record. 1 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“PT-141, a synthetic peptide analogue of alpha-MSH,”
PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. · Abstract
pubmed:12851303:b6f90a7e96db:b6f90a7e96db
Identity
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is described as a synthetic peptide designed to mimic the melanocortin peptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.
1 cited source · Study independence not established
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
1 cited passage across 1 source record. 1 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“Bremelanotide is a synthetic peptide melanocortin analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone”
An effect on the subjective sexual response in premenopausal women with sexual arousal disorder by bremelanotide (PT-141), a melanocortin receptor agonist. · INTRODUCTION
pubmed:16839319:dfec26d3a755:dfec26d3a755
Identity
PT-141 is described as a cyclic heptapeptide that is an analog of melanocortin.
1 cited source · Study independence not established
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
1 cited passage across 1 source record. 1 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“PT-141, a cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin analog, was evaluated following intranasal administration in healthy male subjects and in Viagra-responsive erectile dysfunction (ED) patients.”
Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the safety, pharmacokinetic properties and pharmacodynamic effects of intranasal PT-141, a melanocortin receptor agonist, in healthy males and patients with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction. · Abstract
pubmed:14963471:80db09e0a778:80db09e0a778
How does it work?
Target, response, and disposition.
Mechanism
The abstract reports a CNS activation marker: systemic PT-141 in rats is associated with increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus, interpreted as neuronal activation.
1 cited source · Study independence not established
Animal or laboratory findings do not establish benefit or safety in people.
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
1 cited passage across 1 source record. 1 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“Systemic administration of PT-141 to rats activates neurons in the hypothalamus as shown by an increase in c-Fos immunoreactivity.”
PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. · Abstract
pubmed:12851303:b6f90a7e96db:b6f90a7e96db
Mechanism
The pharmacodynamic erectile response endpoint used RigiScan, with differing visual sexual stimulation conditions between healthy subjects (no VSS) and Viagra-responsive ED patients (with VSS).
1 cited source · Study independence not established
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
1 cited passage across 1 source record. 1 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“Erectile response was assessed by RigiScan trade mark in healthy subjects without visual sexual stimulation (VSS) and in Viagra-responsive ED patients with VSS.”
Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the safety, pharmacokinetic properties and pharmacodynamic effects of intranasal PT-141, a melanocortin receptor agonist, in healthy males and patients with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction. · Abstract
pubmed:14963471:80db09e0a778:80db09e0a778
Pharmacokinetics
Dose proportionality in exposure is described in healthy subjects: mean Cmax and AUC(0-t) rose in a dose-dependent manner following intranasal PT-141.
1 cited source · Study independence not established
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
1 cited passage across 1 source record. 1 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“In healthy subjects, mean C(max) and AUC((0-t)) increased in a dose-dependent manner.”
Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the safety, pharmacokinetic properties and pharmacodynamic effects of intranasal PT-141, a melanocortin receptor agonist, in healthy males and patients with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction. · Abstract
pubmed:14963471:80db09e0a778:80db09e0a778
What has been studied?
What the evidence says.
Study findings
In the subgroup that attempted sexual intercourse within 24 hours post-treatment, satisfaction with level of sexual arousal was higher after bremelanotide than after placebo, with P = 0.0256.
1 cited source · Study independence not established
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
1 cited passage across 1 source record. 1 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“Among women who attempted sexual intercourse within 24 hours after treatment, significantly more were satisfied with their level of sexual arousal following bremelanotide, compared with placebo (P = 0.0256).”
An effect on the subjective sexual response in premenopausal women with sexual arousal disorder by bremelanotide (PT-141), a melanocortin receptor agonist. · RESULTS
pubmed:16839319:dfec26d3a755:dfec26d3a755
Study findings
In animal studies described here, PT-141 administration is reported to produce penile erections in rats and nonhuman primates.
1 cited source · Study independence not established
Animal or laboratory findings do not establish benefit or safety in people.
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
1 cited passage across 1 source record. 1 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“Administration of PT-141 to rats and nonhuman primates results in penile erections.”
PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. · Abstract
pubmed:12851303:b6f90a7e96db:b6f90a7e96db
Risks and interactions
Risks, organized for scanning.
This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.
Products and regulatory status
Same ingredient. Different records.
This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.
Administration context
The practical clinical context.
This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.
Additional research & classification gaps
1 archived statements are kept separate from drug-effect findings. Media studies, economic models, methods, and records with unresolved scope are not used as medical-effect evidence.
Inspect contextual research (1)
4 cited sources · Study independence not established
How to read this evidence
Sources and study IDs describe provenance, not clinical strength. Several articles can report the same study; one study can support several distinct findings. No clinical strength rating has been assigned here.
5 cited passages across 4 source records. 2 publication group(s) lack a resolved study identity.
Mechanistically, bremelanotide is characterized as an agonist at melanocortin receptor subtypes MC3R and MC4R.
Research context only—not evidence of a treatment effect.
- Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Trial With an Open-label Extension Phase to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneously Bremelanotide in Premenopausal Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
A melanocortin agonist and synthetic peptide analog of the naturally occurring hormone alpha-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone)
- Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Trial With an Open-label Extension Phase to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneously Bremelanotide in Premenopausal Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
A melanocortin agonist and synthetic peptide analog of the naturally occurring hormone alpha-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone)
- An effect on the subjective sexual response in premenopausal women with sexual arousal disorder by bremelanotide (PT-141), a melanocortin receptor agonist.
that is an agonist at melanocortin receptors MC3R and MC4R.
- PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.
which are expressed primarily in the central nervous system.
- PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.
is an agonist at melanocortin receptors including the MC3R and MC4R,
Research status + gaps
What still needs better answers?
- No publishable claim yet for: administration, contraindication, interaction, regulatory, safety
- 58 compiled claim(s) withheld by automated assurance: assurance_score_below_0.58 (24), assurance_score_below_0.72 (30), current_regulatory_source_required (19), extraction_ambiguity (19), high_risk_requires_regulatory_or_two_independent_sources (34), no_direct_support (54)
These are the limits of this profile, not an exhaustive list of scientific uncertainties.
References + discovery
Open the records yourself.
- Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Trial With an Open-label Extension Phase to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneously Bremelanotide in Premenopausal Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) ↗
clinicaltrials · published 2021-04-09 · retrieved 2026-08-29T08:37:13Z
- Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Trial With an Open-label Extension Phase to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneously Bremelanotide in Premenopausal Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) ↗
clinicaltrials · published 2021-01-28 · retrieved 2026-08-29T08:37:13Z
- PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. ↗
pubmed · published 2003-06-01 · retrieved 2026-09-09T18:03:28Z
- Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the safety, pharmacokinetic properties and pharmacodynamic effects of intranasal PT-141, a melanocortin receptor agonist, in healthy males and patients with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction. ↗
pubmed · published 2004-02-01 · retrieved 2026-09-09T10:51:58Z
- Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. ↗
pubmed · published 2006-04-01 · retrieved 2026-09-09T22:22:31Z
- An effect on the subjective sexual response in premenopausal women with sexual arousal disorder by bremelanotide (PT-141), a melanocortin receptor agonist. ↗
pubmed · published 2006-07-01 · retrieved 2026-09-09T22:46:20Z
Publication history and provenance
Version 2 · Automated assessment · 2026-09-09T22:46:20Z
ae90ba300ce5f9c6f99a664f581d7064f26788241a80b512c52f0c3cec5333de