Melanotan II vs ARA-290
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Sexual Health & Libido
Melanotan IIImmune SupportRecovery & Repair
ARA-290- Summary
- Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that stimulates melanin production (skin tanning), suppresses appetite, and enhances sexual function. It is not FDA-approved and has significant safety concerns including mole changes and cardiovascular effects.
- ARA-290 is a synthetic 11-amino acid peptide derived from the helix B region of erythropoietin (EPO). Unlike EPO, it selectively activates the innate repair receptor (IRR) without stimulating hematopoiesis, providing tissue protection, anti-inflammation, and neuropathy relief.
- Half-Life
- 1–2 hours
- ~2–4 hours (SC administration)
- Admin Route
- SubQ
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 0.25–0.5 mg
- 4 mg (fixed dose)
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Once daily
- Key Benefits
- Promotes skin tanning and melanin production
- Reduces UV exposure needed to tan
- Enhances libido and sexual function
- May suppress appetite
- Faster, deeper tan development
- Longer-lasting tan maintenance
- Potential photoprotective effects
- Reduces neuropathic pain from small fiber neuropathy
- Anti-inflammatory without immune suppression
- Tissue protection after ischemia/reperfusion injury
- Promotes nerve fiber regeneration
- Improves symptoms of sarcoidosis-associated neuropathy
- May reduce insulin resistance and improve metabolic health
- Shown to improve autonomic neuropathy symptoms
- Side Effects
- Nausea (very common, especially in first days)
- Facial flushing
- Spontaneous erections in men
- Darkening or changes in existing moles (monitor closely)
- +3 more
- Injection site reactions
- Mild fatigue at initiation
- Transient warm sensation post-injection
- Rare: mild headache
- Stacks With
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