The Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen is a 20-dose, multi-click subcutaneous device typically described by South African retailers as containing 10 mg of lyophilised Melanotan II reconstituted to deliver 0.5 mg per 0.1 ml actuation, supplied for in vitro and preclinical melanocortin-pathway research only [unverified]. Melanotan II is a non-selective synthetic α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analogue with agonist activity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R [11], and it holds no South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) registration for human use as of May 2026 [unverified].
This guide documents the pen's specifications, storage requirements, and receptor pharmacology. The live ZAR price is shown in the buy box above.
Key Takeaways
- The Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen delivers 0.5 mg per metered click across 20 doses from a 10 mg reconstituted vial.
- Melanotan II is a non-selective agonist at MC1R (melanocyte pigmentation), MC3R and MC4R (hypothalamic energy and behaviour), and MC5R (exocrine tissue).
- SAHPRA registration status is unverified; researchers should confirm current status with SAHPRA.
- Storage requires 2–8 °C refrigeration, protection from light, and discard of reconstituted contents within approximately 30 days of first actuation.
What Is the Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen?
The Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen is a multi-dose, click-actuated subcutaneous research device supplied by the Body Pharm peptide brand. South African listings typically describe it as delivering 0.5 mg of Melanotan II per 0.1 ml click across 20 metered doses from a single reconstituted 10 mg vial [unverified] [2]. Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of α-MSH that stimulates melanogenesis via non-selective agonism at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R [11], making it a standard tool compound in melanocortin-pathway research.
The pen format is intended for in vitro and preclinical research applications: melanocortin-pathway pharmacology, melanogenesis assays, and behavioural neuroscience models examining MC3R/MC4R-mediated appetite and reward signalling [11]. Melanotan II holds no SAHPRA registration and is treated as an unregulated substance by comparable regulators including the Irish Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) [8] and Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) [14].
Some researchers worry that pen-format devices lack the flexibility of vial-based dosing. The fixed 0.5 mg increment does constrain sub-dose protocols, but the pre-metered design removes syringe-graduation error and simplifies cold-chain tracking for institutional compliance.
Not a topical self-tanner
Search results frequently conflate injectable Melanotan II with topical "melanotan" creams and nasal sprays sold on consumer marketplaces. The Body Pharm 20 Pen is a parenteral peptide preparation, not a cosmetic topical. The two product categories differ in formulation chemistry, route of administration, and research utility [4][9]. For the broader peptide context, see the Melanotan 2 peptide overview; for a comparable pen-format device from the same brand, see the Body Pharm MOTS-C 32 Pen.
Product Specifications: Pen Format & Dose Configuration
The Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen is listed by South African retailers as a multi-dose, click-actuated subcutaneous device delivering 0.5 mg (500 micrograms) of Melanotan II per 0.1 ml actuation across 20 metered doses. The 10 mg peptide payload is reconstituted in approximately 2.0 ml of bacteriostatic diluent [unverified][2]. No 2024–2026 listing reproduces Body Pharm's original technical datasheet in full, so several mechanical details remain inferred from dosing claims rather than primary manufacturer documentation [unverified][2].
The pen mechanism is described across South African listings as an insulin-style mechanical click-pen that increments a fixed micro-volume per actuation — comparable in user experience to a dial-a-dose insulin pen, but without confirmed pen-platform branding [unverified][2]. Needle gauge is rarely disclosed. Where mentioned for analogous Body Pharm pens, a 29–31G, 8–12 mm subcutaneous needle is implied but not confirmed for the Melanotan II 20-dose presentation [unverified]. The format mirrors the Body Pharm MOTS-C 32 Pen in mechanical principle, differing only in dose count and peptide payload.
Procurement teams concerned about device compatibility with existing laboratory needle-disposal systems should request a sample needle specification sheet before bulk ordering.
Specification summary (May 2026)
| Parameter | Stated value | Source confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Total Melanotan II content | 10 mg per pen | [unverified][2] |
| Reconstitution volume | ~2.0 ml diluent | [unverified][2] |
| Doses per pen | 20 metered actuations | [unverified][2] |
| Volume per click | 0.1 ml | [unverified][2] |
| Peptide per click | 0.5 mg (500 micrograms) | [unverified][2] |
| Mechanism | Mechanical click-pen, fixed-increment | [unverified][2] |
| Needle gauge | 29–31G implied; not confirmed | [unverified] |
| Route (research) | Subcutaneous | [2] |
Compared with a single lyophilised 10 mg vial, the pen format pre-defines dose granularity. It removes the syringe-graduation step but reduces protocol flexibility for sub-500 microgram increments common in dose-response work. Researchers requiring variable micro-dosing should consider vial format instead. The fixed-click architecture cannot accommodate fractional increments below 0.5 mg — a constraint documented in the Melanotan 2 peptide overview.
Melanocortin Pathway: How Melanotan II Works in Research
Melanotan II is a synthetic, non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist structurally derived from α-MSH, with activity reported across MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R [1][2]. This pharmacological profile is why the peptide remains a tool compound for probing pigmentation, energy balance and behavioural circuits in preclinical models, even where its clinical use is unauthorised [4][5].
Receptor subtypes and research relevance
MC1R is expressed on melanocytes and drives eumelanin synthesis via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling. MC1R agonism by Melanotan II is the mechanistic basis for in vitro melanogenesis assays in B16 murine melanoma or human primary melanocyte cultures [1][2].
MC3R and MC4R are concentrated in hypothalamic nuclei and regulate energy homeostasis and feeding behaviour. MC3R/MC4R agonism is the mechanism invoked when Melanotan II is used in rodent appetite-suppression and sexual-behaviour paradigms [1][3].
MC5R, expressed in exocrine tissue, is the least-characterised target in this context and is rarely the primary endpoint in research using Melanotan II [unverified].
Researchers planning translational studies should note that receptor selectivity data for Melanotan II derives from pre-2020 structure–activity work. Recent functional studies (2023–2026) focus on phenotypic endpoints rather than binding kinetics, so direct K<sub>i</sub> comparisons across receptor subtypes may not reflect current assay standards.
Citing primary pharmacology
The 2022–2026 literature does not contain a new high-resolution binding-affinity table for Melanotan II. Receptor-selectivity claims still trace to pre-2020 melanocortin structure–activity work. Any inhibition constant (K<sub>i</sub>) or half-maximal effective concentration (EC<sub>50</sub>) figures cited in a methods section should be drawn from those primary papers and verified by the researcher [unverified].
Recent translational commentary, including the 2023 University of New South Wales (UNSW) explainer summarising Melanotan II as an α-MSH analogue acting on melanocortin receptors in pigment cells and the brain, is appropriate for framing but not for quantitative binding claims [1]. Functional endpoints (tanning, feeding, erectile response) are better anchored in 2023 regulatory and clinical reviews [4][5], which integrate safety and efficacy data across multiple cohorts.
For broader pathway context, see the Melanotan 2 peptide overview; for a comparable Body Pharm pen platform targeting a different pathway, see the Body Pharm MOTS-C 32 Pen.
Storage, Handling & Stability Requirements
Store the Body Pharm Melanotan II 20-dose pen refrigerated at 2–8 °C, protected from light, and discard reconstituted contents approximately 30 days after first actuation [unverified][8]. Body Pharm does not publish a formal storage insert visible on 2024–2026 South African retail listings. The precise °C range, photostability window, and unopened shelf life for this specific pen presentation remain [unverified]. The recommendations below derive from Body Pharm product documentation as reproduced by South African resellers and standard lyophilised peptide cold-chain guidance, reviewed May 2026.
If the pen is supplied as a pre-mixed liquid format, treat it as a reconstituted solution from the moment of dispatch. Peptide degradation begins immediately upon reconstitution. Maintain 2–8 °C in transit using validated cold packs, avoid freeze-thaw cycles, and keep the device in its opaque secondary packaging to limit photodegradation [1][2].
Lyophilised cartridges, where applicable, tolerate −20 °C long-term storage prior to reconstitution. Once the diluent is introduced, the 30-day in-use clock starts [unverified][8].
Labs concerned about stability drift over the 30-day window should request batch-specific degradation data or conduct in-house potency assays at day 15 and day 30 to establish a local stability profile.
Every Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen shipped by JCSG South Africa follows validated cold-chain handling. The Body Pharm MOTS-C 32 Pen follows comparable cold-chain logic, and the Melanotan 2 peptide overview covers reconstitution chemistry in more depth.
Regulatory & Safety Status: What SA Researchers Must Know
Melanotan II is not licensed or approved for human therapeutic or cosmetic use in any major jurisdiction as of 2025. This includes the European Union, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia and the United States [1][4][9]. Ireland's HPRA reissued its consumer warning in 2023, describing Melanotan II as an "unregulated substance" carrying serious health risks and noting explicitly that no medicines regulator has authorised it [1]. Australia's TGA, summarised by UNSW in January 2023, maintains that supplying or advertising melanotan to the public without a prescription is unlawful under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 [9][14].
SAHPRA status in South Africa
SAHPRA scheduling for Melanotan II is [unverified] as of May 2026. Public searches of SAHPRA's schedules, safety alerts and registered medicines database return no named entry, monograph or registered product containing Melanotan II. No SAHPRA-specific consumer advisory on the peptide has been published in the 2023–2026 window [unverified].
Researchers and procurement officers should obtain direct written confirmation from SAHPRA, or a regulatory legal opinion, before treating any importation, holding or transfer assumption as settled. The absence of a named schedule entry is not equivalent to lawful availability.
Disclaimer. Melanotan II is not approved for human use in any major regulator's jurisdiction as of 2025 [1][9][14]. South African scheduling status is [unverified] at time of writing (May 2026). This page is informational, intended for qualified researchers, and is supplied for research use only.
For broader context on the molecule, see the Melanotan 2 peptide overview; for a parallel pen format, the Body Pharm MOTS-C 32 Pen.
Melanotan II 20 Pen Price in South Africa
The Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen is listed at the live ZAR price shown in the buy box above. The price shown is the current per-country rate.
The table below summarises the device specifications for the 20-dose pen.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | Body Pharm Melanotan II 20-dose pen |
| Total Melanotan II content | 10 mg per pen |
| Doses per pen | 20 metered actuations |
| Peptide per click | 0.5 mg (500 micrograms) |
| Volume per click | 0.1 ml |
| Live ZAR price | Shown in the buy box above |
Compare the Body Pharm pen range
For a like-for-like look at Body Pharm's pen line-up, see the Body Pharm MOTS-C 32 Pen page, which applies the same dose-count architecture. The Melanotan 2 peptide overview sets the molecule in its wider research context.
Body Pharm Pen Range: How the MT-II 20 Pen Fits In
The Melanotan II 20 Pen sits within a wider Body Pharm pen-format catalogue that South African researchers can evaluate as a single procurement line. The same metered click-pen architecture appears across the brand's mainstream peptide presentations [unverified manufacturer datasheet]: a fixed micro-volume dispensed per actuation, consistent handling protocol, consistent cold-chain requirements. For labs already stocking one device in the range, adding another molecule does not require separate device training.
Direct comparators in the local market include:
- Body Pharm MOTS-C 32 Pen (32 metered doses, mitochondrial peptide research)
- Body Pharm CJC-1295 & Ipamorelin 20 Pen (GHRH and GHRP combination, 20 doses)
- Body Pharm GHK-Cu 50 Pen (copper tripeptide, 50 doses)
- Body Pharm NAD+ 1000 Pen (1000 mg total nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide presentation)
Dose counts differ by molecule and intended research volume. A single training module covers needle insertion, click-increment verification, and cold-chain management across the range.
For the parent category context, the Melanotan 2 peptide overview anchors the MT-II 20 Pen within the broader melanocortin research set.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen contain?
The Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen contains 10 mg of lyophilised Melanotan II reconstituted in 2.0 ml of bacteriostatic diluent, delivering 0.5 mg (500 micrograms) per 0.1 ml metered actuation [unverified manufacturer datasheet, May 2026]. The peptide is a synthetic cyclic analogue of α-MSH, supplied for in vitro and preclinical research only because it lacks regulatory approval for any human application.
How many doses does the pen deliver?
The pen delivers 20 metered doses of 0.5 mg each across the full 10 mg fill [unverified manufacturer datasheet, May 2026]. The click-pen mechanism increments a fixed 0.1 ml micro-volume per actuation, mirroring the architecture used across the broader Body Pharm pen range.
What receptors does Melanotan II act on?
Melanotan II is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist with activity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R [3][7]. MC1R agonism in melanocytes drives eumelanin synthesis — the pigmentation pathway studied in tanning research. MC3R and MC4R activity in the central nervous system underlies the appetite and sexual-function effects reported in translational literature [3][10]. This is why the peptide appears across multiple research domains.
Is Melanotan II legal in South Africa?
Melanotan II is not registered with SAHPRA for any human or cosmetic indication. No authorised medicinal product containing it exists in South Africa as of May 2026 [unverified]. Comparable regulators including Ireland's HPRA (2023) and Australia's TGA (2023) classify it as an unregulated substance not approved for human use [1][3][9]. Supply should be restricted to legitimate laboratory research; consumer use and onward distribution expose suppliers and users to regulatory enforcement action.
How should the pen be stored?
Reconstituted Melanotan II solutions should be stored at 2–8 °C and protected from light, with a typical in-use window of approximately 30 days based on peptide-class stability norms [13][unverified]. Lyophilised material is generally held at −20 °C for longer-term storage because the absence of water prevents hydrolytic degradation. Body Pharm's pen-specific °C range and shelf life are not reproduced on current South African listings and remain [unverified].
For broader category context, refer to the Melanotan 2 peptide overview.
Research Disclaimer
The Body Pharm Melanotan II 20-dose pen is supplied as a research chemical for laboratory use only and holds no marketing authorisation from SAHPRA, the TGA, EMA or FDA. South African researchers are responsible for compliance with the Medicines and Related Substances Act and institutional protocols.
Availability
JCSG South Africa stocks the Body Pharm Melanotan II 20 Pen at the live ZAR price shown in the buy box above.
Researchers should still confirm current SAHPRA status for their institution before importing or holding the peptide. For category-level context, see the Melanotan 2 peptide overview; for a parallel pen format, the Body Pharm MOTS-C 32 Pen.
