PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
Centrally acting melanocortin receptor agonist · Pre-filled pen
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a centrally acting melanocortin receptor agonist. It engages melanocortin receptors — MC4R in particular — within brain circuits that govern sexual motivation and arousal, so its primary action is on desire signalling in the CNS rather than on peripheral blood flow. This central mechanism is what distinguishes it from vasodilator-type approaches to sexual function.
Studied use areas
- Acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women — the indication for which bremelanotide (Vyleesi) is FDA-approved in the US (no UK or EU authorisation)
- Central (brain-driven) sexual desire and arousal signalling
- Sexual-wellness research in both women and men, depending on screening
- As an approach distinct from blood-flow-focused erectile therapies
Safety & status
- Not authorised in the UK or EU (no MHRA or EMA marketing authorisation); in the US it is a prescription-only medicine (Vyleesi), so any use requires a qualified prescriber
- Commonly reported effects include nausea, flushing and headache; each dose causes a transient rise in blood pressure and a small fall in heart rate, and it is contraindicated in uncontrolled hypertension or known cardiovascular disease, so cardiovascular screening matters
- Melanocortin activation can trigger focal darkening of skin or gums (hyperpigmentation) in some users
- Not suitable for self-directed use; suitability and any regimen are decided case by case by the treating physician
⚕ Clinical note: This card is educational and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to use any product. Bremelanotide is a US prescription medicine with no UK or EU marketing authorisation; it must be assessed, prescribed and monitored by a qualified physician; never self-source or self-administer it.
Evidence: Grade B — approved in the US (FDA, 2019) as bremelanotide (Vyleesi) for premenopausal HSDD, with supporting randomised controlled trials; not authorised in the UK or EU; benefit is real but modest and patient-selected. · References: FDA prescribing information for Vyleesi (bremelanotide injection); Peer-reviewed randomised controlled trials on bremelanotide for HSDD; Pharmacology reviews of centrally acting sexual-medicine agents




