Author unknown:* People have asked me from time to time if there are any long-term or short-term dangers associated with taking Melanotan. I have always maintained that it is non-toxic to the human body as has been documented in the original Epitan Clincal Phase I/II trials. However, most of these safety trials were performed using the melanotan-1 version of the drug, which is a linear polypeptide and only slightly different from the natural human a-MSH hormone. On the other hand, melanotan II is a more radical departure from the afore-mentioned polypeptide. This polypeptide is cyclic and it is this shape that enables it to bind more tightly to all of the melanocortin receptors than the linear version, which binds best to the melanocortin receptor (MC-1R) found on melanocyte cells.

Because MT-II is a foreign substance to the body, it invokes an immune system response akin to an allergic reaction. Many of the so-called side-effects you have either heard about or experienced yourself are due to an abundant overdose of melanotan II in your blood. Wheezing, sneezing, congestion, facial flushing, and nausea are all possible symptoms. But your immune system must first be taught to recognize the melanotan II peptide before you might actually experience these side-effects ... which is why first time users usually don't have any adverse reactions. Upon first introduction (or perhaps over several events), your immune system produces a quantity of antibodies that are capable of recognizing the melanotan II peptide. These antibodies attach to the surfaces of Mast cells in the tissue and Basophils in the bloodstream. When next they encounter the specific foreign substance to which they were designed to detect, they release powerful chemicals such as histamine and heparin into the bloodstream. And it is this release of chemicals which causes the side-effects of the drug.

The degree to which the side-effects occur is directly proportional to how much peptide is in the bloodstream at one time. In the extreme case, anaphylactic shock is a possibility. This is a life-threatening condition characterized by swelling of body tissues, including the throat and hands, headache, uncontrollable itching, constriction of the airways and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, and a sudden drop in blood pressure. Since most of these dangers stem from the release of the amino acid derivative, histamine, by cells of the immune system, it is my suggestion that some form of anti-histamine be used as a preventive for those people who are especially sensitive to taking melanotan II. Just as well, much lower concentrations of the injected drug would also lessen the side-effects. For those taking notes, extrapolation of this principle out to its limits explains why a slow-release formulation of the drug is so invaluable and so necessary.

There are several types of anti-histamine on the market today including Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, Clarinex, and Benadryl. But these drugs can be divided into 1st generation and 2nd generation types. Older drugs such as Benadryl are less selective to the Histamine (H1) receptor and thus, generally cause certain side-effects such as drowsiness and/or dizziness and dry mouth. In fact, many over-the-counter sleep aids contain the same active ingredients as Benadryl. The newer 2nd generation anti-histamines are far more selective to H1 and have an improved tolerability profile. The anti-histamine thought to work best is Zyrtec and Allegra. Allegra is non-sedating while Zyrtec may cause some drowsiness in certain individuals. Claritin and Clarinex are minimally sedative.

In order to achieve the protection afforded by the anti-histamine, you will want to take it about 45-60 minutes before delivery of melanotan II. What you will achieve by doing this is a blocking of the Histamine receptors such that when Histamine is released into the bloodstream due to an allergen response, it has no where to attach and you will thus ward off an allergic reaction.* Melanotan II Guide.