C50H68N14O10 · 1025.2 g/mol · PubChem CID 9941379 ↗
PT-141
also known as Bremelanotide, Vyleesi, PT 141
Cyclic 7-amino-acid peptide and MC4R-selective agonist derived from α-MSH. FDA-approved 2019 (Vyleesi) for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in pre-menopausal women — the first centrally-acting peptide for sexual dysfunction. Acts on hypothalamic melanocortin pathways to drive arousal independent of vascular pathways (unlike PDE5 inhibitors).
- Class
- Melanocortin-4 Receptor Agonist
- Half-life
- ~2.7 hr [fda-vyleesi-label-2019]
- Evidence level
- FDA-approved
- Regulatory status
- FDA-approved (US)
At a glance
SQ · Abdomen / thigh · ≥45 min before sex
Primary target — Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in hypothalamus [simerly-2023][fda-vyleesi-label-2019].
Pathway — MC4R agonism in paraventricular nucleus → autonomic + neuroendocrine sexual arousal pathways [simerly-2023].
Downstream effect — Increased sexual desire and arousal; central rather than peripheral mechanism [clayton-2015].
Origin — Cyclic 7-AA peptide derived from α-MSH (agonist Ac-Nle-Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys-OH cyclic) [fda-vyleesi-label-2019].
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard dose | 1.75 mg SQ [fda-vyleesi-label-2019]Single dose ≥45 min before anticipated sexual activity. Max 1 dose / 24 hr. |
| Frequency | PRN, max 8 doses / month |
| Lower / starter dose | 1 mg (off-label) |
| Evidence basis | FDA-approved (HSDD pre-menopausal women) [fda-vyleesi-label-2019][clayton-2015] |
| Duration | PRN; reassess if no benefit after 8 doses |
| Reconstitution | Pre-filled commercial pen (Vyleesi). Research vial: bacteriostatic water. |
| Timing | ≥45 min before sexual activity |
| Half-life | ~2.7 hr [fda-vyleesi-label-2019] |
Reconstitution
A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.
- — Uncontrolled hypertension
- — Known cardiovascular disease (caution)
- — Pregnancy
- — Pre-existing hyperpigmentation disorders
- — MC4R-pathway-dependent psychiatric conditions
- 01Reconstitution
Vyleesi: pre-filled auto-injector. Research vial: 2 mL bacteriostatic water per 10 mg → 5 mg/mL.
- 02Injection site
SQ — abdomen or thigh.
- 03Timing
≥45 min before sexual activity for peak effect. Effect persists ~6–8 h.
- 04Storage
Vyleesi: room temp ≤30 °C. Research vial: refrigerate after reconstitution.
- 05Needle
Auto-injector (Vyleesi) or 29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
Frequently asked
What is the half-life of PT-141?
The reported half-life of PT-141 is ~2.7 hr. [fda-vyleesi-label-2019]
How does PT-141 work?
PT-141 acts on Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in hypothalamus, signalling via MC4R agonism in paraventricular nucleus → autonomic + neuroendocrine sexual arousal pathways. [simerly-2023][fda-vyleesi-label-2019][simerly-2023]
Is PT-141 FDA-approved?
Yes — PT-141 is approved by the US FDA.
Sources
of 41 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.
- [clayton-2015]Clayton 2016 — Bremelanotide for female sexual dysfunctions in premenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled dose-finding trial
J Sex Med, 2016
Bremelanotide Phase 2/3 efficacy + safety. - [fda-vyleesi-label-2019]VYLEESI (bremelanotide injecti 2019 — VYLEESI (bremelanotide injection) prescribing information
fda-label, 2019
FDA-approved 2019 for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in pre-menopausal women. - [simerly-2023]Simerly 2023 — Bremelanotide (PT-141): clinical pharmacology + safety review
Sex Med Rev, 2023
PT-141 mechanism (MC4R agonism) + Vyleesi FDA approval review.