PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
Prescription medication — not a dietary supplement
This is an FDA-approved (or investigational) drug, not a supplement. It requires a prescription and medical supervision. The information below summarizes clinical-trial evidence for education only — it is not a recommendation to obtain or use it without a doctor.
At a glance
- Best for
- Premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)
- Typical dose
- 1.75 mg subcutaneously as needed, at least 45 minutes before anticipated sexual activity
- Time to effect
- On-demand; taken before activity, with benefit judged over weeks of use
- Main caution
- Transient rise in blood pressure; contraindicated in uncontrolled hypertension or known cardiovascular disease
What is it
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist (acting mainly at MC4R in the central nervous system) given by on-demand subcutaneous injection. Unlike vascular drugs, it works through brain pathways involved in sexual desire and arousal. It is FDA-approved to treat acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women.
Is it worth it for you?
Worth considering if…
- You are a premenopausal woman with acquired, generalized HSDD (low desire causing distress, not due to another medical, psychiatric, or relationship cause or a medication)
- You prefer an on-demand option and can self-administer subcutaneous injection
- Your blood pressure is controlled and you have no significant cardiovascular disease
Probably skip if…
- Your low desire stems from a co-existing medical/psychiatric condition, relationship problem, or a medication's side effect
- You have uncontrolled hypertension or known cardiovascular disease
- You are postmenopausal, pregnant, or seeking it for general libido enhancement outside the indication
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hypoactive sexual desire disorder (hsdd) in premenopausal women | Strong Evidence | Statistically significant improvement in desire score and reduction in desire-related distress versus placebo over 24 weeks | Premenopausal women with acquired, generalized HSDD | On-demand; assessed over weeks |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
hypoactive sexual desire disorder (hsdd) in premenopausal women
Disease adjunctTwo identical phase-3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (the RECONNECT studies) in premenopausal women with acquired, generalized HSDD showed that on-demand subcutaneous bremelanotide 1.75 mg significantly improved the desire domain score and reduced desire-related distress compared with placebo over 24 weeks. The effect sizes were modest but consistent across both trials and supported FDA approval. About 18% of women discontinued for adverse effects, mainly nausea.
Bottom line: On-demand bremelanotide produces a modest but reproducible improvement in sexual desire and distress in premenopausal women with HSDD.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- 1.75 mg subcutaneously (single autoinjector) on demand, prescribed by a clinician
- Timing
- At least 45 minutes before anticipated sexual activity; no more than one dose per 24 hours and no more than 8 doses per month
- With food
- Independent of food; injected into the abdomen or thigh
- How long to try
- Used on demand; the prescriber discontinues if no improvement after about 8 weeks of use
What to track
- Whether desire improves and distress decreases (validated FSFI-desire and FSDS-DAO measures)
- Blood pressure response after dosing
- Nausea and skin/gum darkening (focal hyperpigmentation)
Safety
Common side effects
Nausea (common, sometimes requiring antiemetic or discontinuation), Flushing, Injection-site reactions, Headache, Vomiting
Serious risks
- Transient increases in blood pressure and decreases in heart rate after each dose
- Focal hyperpigmentation (face, gums, breasts), which may not fully resolve, more likely with frequent dosing or darker skin
- Hypersensitivity reactions
Who should avoid it
- People with uncontrolled hypertension or known cardiovascular disease
- People at high cardiovascular risk for whom a transient BP rise is unsafe
- Pregnant individuals
- Those who would exceed once-daily / 8-doses-per-month limits
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Not recommended in pregnancy; discontinue if pregnancy is suspected, as the indication does not apply and safety is not established.
Interactions
Bremelanotide slows gastric emptying and can significantly reduce absorption of oral naltrexone, risking loss of efficacy for alcohol/opioid use disorder; avoid combination
Bremelanotide transiently raises blood pressure, which can blunt or oppose antihypertensive control
Delayed gastric emptying can lower or delay their absorption
Choosing a product
Look for
- Only obtain via a licensed prescriber and pharmacy as FDA-approved Vyleesi
- Supplied as a single-dose prefilled autoinjector for subcutaneous use
- Dispensed with counseling on the 45-minute pre-activity timing and monthly dose limit
Be skeptical of
- Grey-market 'PT-141' vials sold as a research peptide or aphrodisiac for either sex
- Compounded nasal sprays or unverified peptide blends promising instant libido
- Any source marketing it without HSDD diagnosis or a prescription
References by claim
Track PT-141 (Bremelanotide) with Pilora
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Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: This page summarizes published clinical-trial data for educational purposes and is not medical advice or a recommendation to use this prescription medication. Dosing, eligibility, and monitoring must be decided by a licensed prescriber.