Libido & intimacy
PT-141: published research
Also known as Bremelanotide
A peptide developed from Melanotan II that acts on melanocortin receptors in the brain rather than on blood vessels. It is studied for its effect on sexual desire and arousal, and is among the few peptides in this area with large controlled human trials.
Evidence at a glance
5 studies 2003–2019
- 3 Human trial
- 1 Animal study
- 1 Review
What researchers look at
- Melanocortin receptors
- Central nervous system
- Sexual desire
- Arousal
What is still unknown
The large trials studied specific groups of women; data in other groups are more limited.
Studies in people
3- Human trial
In two phase 3 trials in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, bremelanotide (PT-141) improved desire and reduced related distress versus placebo; nausea, flushing and headache were more common.
Kingsberg SA, et al. Bremelanotide for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Two Randomized Phase 3 Trials. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2019. PMID 31599840
- Human trial
In a randomised placebo-controlled dose-finding trial in premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction, bremelanotide improved sexual function and distress scores; nausea, flushing and headache were the main adverse events.
Clayton AH, et al. Bremelanotide for female sexual dysfunctions in premenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled dose-finding trial. Women's Health (London). 2016. PMID 27181790
- Human trial
In healthy men and men with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction, intranasal PT-141 produced erectile responses greater than placebo and was generally well tolerated; flushing and nausea were most common.
Diamond LE, et al. 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. International Journal of Impotence Research. 2004. PMID 14963471
Animal studies
1- Animal study
In female rats, PT-141 selectively increased sexual solicitation behaviours without affecting other sexual behaviours, general activity or the perception of sexual reward.
Pfaus JG, et al. Selective facilitation of sexual solicitation in the female rat by a melanocortin receptor agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 2004. PMID 15226502
Reviews
1- Review
This overview by the developer reports that PT-141, a synthetic alpha-MSH analogue acting at MC3R and MC4R, produced penile erections in rats and nonhuman primates and a dose-dependent increase in erectile activity in healthy men and men with erectile dysfunction.
Molinoff PB, et al. PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2003. PMID 12851303
Short summaries of published studies, with links to the original papers. Results in animals or cells may not apply to people. This is not medical advice and not a guide to use.