PT-141 is the peptide name commonly used for bremelanotide, the drug marketed as Vyleesi. The source describes it as a melanocortin peptide related to alpha-MSH and associates it with central pathways involved in sexual desire. It is FDA approved for acquired, generalized HSDD in premenopausal women, while use for low libido or erectile dysfunction in men is described as off-label.

How does PT-141 work?

The source describes bremelanotide as acting at melanocortin receptors in the brain, especially MC4R and to a lesser extent MC3R, in hypothalamic circuits. This central mechanism differs from PDE5 inhibitors, which primarily affect genital blood-flow physiology. The same receptor pathway is also linked in the source to nausea and temporary cardiovascular changes.

Is PT-141 FDA approved?

Yes. The source reports FDA-approved status for Vyleesi/bremelanotide for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.

What side effects are reported for PT-141?

Reported effects in the source include nausea, facial flushing, injection-site reactions, headache, transient blood pressure increase, skin hyperpigmentation with frequent use, vomiting, and fatigue. Nausea is highlighted as common in the source, and individual risk depends on context and medical factors not established by this draft.

What typical dose is reported for PT-141?

The source lists 1.75 mg as needed as the typical and FDA-label-associated dose, with community-reported range information of 0.5-2 mg per dose. It also reports subcutaneous administration and timing at least 45 minutes before anticipated activity. This is a source summary, not dosing advice.

Sexual Health FDA Approved - approved for specific uses

PT-141

Also known as: Bremelanotide, Vyleesi

At a glance

PeptiGuide dataset · reviewed Aug 2026

What it is

A melanocortin peptide better known as bremelanotide or Vyleesi.

Status

FDA Approved

Evidence level: human clinical evidence

Typical dose

1.75mg

Subcutaneous injection

Researched for

Sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, low libido

Trial progress

PrePreclinical
IPhase I
IIPhase II
IIIPhase III
IVPhase IV
FDAFDA approved

FDA approved - FDA-approved for specific uses with established human evidence

Use the tools

In plain language

PT-141 is the name for bremelanotide, also sold as Vyleesi.
The source classifies it as a melanocortin peptide and cyclic alpha-MSH analog.
It is reported as FDA approved for acquired, generalized HSDD in premenopausal women.
The source lists 1.75 mg as needed by injection, with timing before anticipated sexual activity.
Research/use areas in the source include sexual desire, low libido, and erectile dysfunction, with male use described as off-label.
Commonly reported adverse effects include nausea and flushing, with additional safety notes around transient blood-pressure changes and use frequency limits.

How it's thought to work

PT-141, also known as bremelanotide, is described as a melanocortin with central nervous system activity. The supplied source points to melanocortin receptor activation in hypothalamic pathways, mainly MC4R with some MC3R involvement, as the proposed route for effects on sexual desire and arousal. The source contrasts this with PDE5 inhibitors by noting that PT-141 is not primarily framed as a genital blood-flow drug. Reported nausea and temporary blood-pressure or heart-rate changes are also linked by the source to melanocortin receptor activity.

What the research shows

Where the research stands

The source presents PT-141/bremelanotide as a with comparatively strong clinical evidence because it completed an FDA program for a defined indication. It summarizes two phase 3 RECONNECT studies involving 1,267 premenopausal women with HSDD who received as-needed 1.75 mg bremelanotide or placebo. Reported outcomes included statistically significant improvements in sexual desire and distress related to low desire, while the source characterizes the absolute benefit as modest. It also notes nausea in about 40% of women, discontinuations related to nausea, and a cap of 8 doses per month. Evidence for male libido or erectile dysfunction use is described as off-label and less developed than the approved HSDD indication.

What it shows

✓ Human clinical evidence

FDA-approved for specific uses with established human evidence

△ Limitations

Use only according to approved labeling and qualified medical guidance.

Bottom line: FDA Approved for HSDD in premenopausal women FDA Approved

Typical dosing

CommunityCommunity dataset

1.75 mg

as needed

0.5 mgfull range seen2 mg

Source labels this as community-reported. It also notes that FDA-approved bremelanotide dosing is 1.75 mg, is not intended for daily use, is limited to 8 doses per month, and may cause nausea or flushing.

Research dosing

Indication-specificApproved for specific uses - study doses are indication-specific

Doses observed in studies

1.75 mg

FDA Approved Labeling - Prescribed dose

Use only according to approved labeling and qualified medical guidance.

Duration: As needed, at least 45 min before activity
Administration: Subcutaneous injection; autoinjector available

Timing & administration

Best time to take

1-2 hours before sexual activity

As needed, max once per 24 hours

Food recommendation

With or without food

Why this timing?

The source reports a 45-60 minute onset window, so timing is framed around anticipated sexual activity rather than routine daily use.

Possible side effects

Not everyone experiences these. Individual responses vary with dose, duration, and personal factors.

Nausea
Facial flushing
Injection-site reactions
Headache
Transient blood pressure increase
Skin hyperpigmentation with frequent use
Vomiting
Fatigue

Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity can vary by context, purity, route, and individual health factors.

Sources

PubMed ClinicalTrials.gov FDA.gov

Frequently asked questions

Sequence

Ac-Nle-Asp(1)-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys(1)-OH; Asp3-Lys8 lactam

One open dataset

Every fact on this page - doses, side effects, references - comes from the same PeptiGuide dataset that powers the Tracker, Compare, and the Lab.

Browse the dataset

Save to my research list Get updates on PT‑141

Educational resource, not medical advice. Talk to your clinician before acting on anything here.

Community discussion

Comments are moderated before they appear. Keep it evidence-focused.

PT-141

In plain languageIn plain language

How it's thought to workHow it's thought to work

What the research showsWhat the research shows

Typical dosing

Research dosing

Timing & administrationTiming & administration

Possible side effectsPossible side effects

SourcesSources

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions

What does PT-141 do?