What PT-141 is
PT-141 is the research code name for bremelanotide, a synthetic cyclic seven-amino-acid peptide derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) [1]. It is the only melanocortin-receptor agonist currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for a sexual-function indication: premenopausal acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), approved June 21, 2019 under NDA 210557 [9].
The approved formulation is a 1.75 mg subcutaneous injection delivered by single-use autoinjector into the abdomen or thigh, taken as-needed at least 45 minutes before anticipated sexual activity [9]. Two doses must be separated by at least 24 hours, and no more than eight doses are recommended in any 28-day period [9][11].
Unlike phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, which work peripherally on smooth-muscle blood flow, bremelanotide works centrally. Its primary therapeutic action is agonism at melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4R) in the hypothalamus — the brain region that organizes sexual motivation and the appetitive component of desire [5][16].
Why a separate site for an approved drug
Most peptides circulating in online discussions are unapproved research chemicals. PT-141 is not. It has a Phase 3 program (RECONNECT, N=1,202), a 52-week open-label extension, a 3,500-subject safety database, and an FDA label that runs to specific contraindications, dose caps, and adverse-event frequencies [1][2][3][9][11].
That makes the literature both richer and more tightly scoped than for typical research peptides. Everything on this site is sourced from peer-reviewed publications, regulatory documents, or named investigator press releases — each claim links to the underlying citation on the references page.
This is not a clinic. It is an editorial project. We do not sell PT-141, we do not provide medical advice, and we do not refer patients to anyone who does. The information here is meant to make the published record easier to read.
What the RECONNECT trials showed
RECONNECT was the umbrella name for two identically-designed Phase 3 trials (Studies 301 and 302; NCT02333071 and NCT02338960) enrolling 1,202 premenopausal women with HSDD across the United States and Canada [1].
Women randomized to 1.75 mg bremelanotide on-demand showed a least-squares mean improvement of +0.35 points on the FSFI-Desire domain and -0.33 on the FSDS-DAO Item 13 (distress) over 24 weeks, both versus placebo, both at P<0.0001 [1]. Secondary FSFI analyses subsequently published in 2025 found arousal-domain scores improved 23-25% over baseline at four weeks (vs 5-10% on placebo) and orgasm scores 16-21% (vs 0-9%), with the gap widening through 24 weeks [14].
A 52-week open-label extension followed: 684 of the roughly 856 women who completed the double-blind phase elected to continue, and 272 finished the full extension [2][18]. No new safety signals emerged, and women who had received drug during the double-blind phase continued to improve [2].
Safety profile in one paragraph
The two dominant adverse events are nausea (about 40% of users vs ~1% on placebo, median onset within one hour, median duration ~2.4 hours) and flushing (about 20% vs ~1%) [3][12]. Headache, injection-site reactions, and a small transient blood-pressure increase (approximately +3 mmHg systolic, +2 mmHg diastolic, resolving within 8-12 hours) round out the common profile [3][10]. Focal hyperpigmentation — discrete darkening of skin, gums, or breasts — occurs in about 1% of patients and is the reason the label caps dosing at eight per 28-day period [11]. The label contraindicates use in uncontrolled hypertension or known cardiovascular disease [10].
Where to go from here
The research page is the long form: mechanism, RECONNECT design and results, neuroimaging evidence, and the in-progress obesity and combination-ED programs. The dosage page summarizes the label-specified regimen, pharmacokinetics, and the historical dose-finding work that led to it. The FAQ addresses the questions that come up most often — including the difference between PT-141 and the brand-name approved product, off-label use, and how the central mechanism differs from PDE5 inhibitors.
Regulatory snapshot
The compound's regulatory and development markers, summarized.
Approved June 21, 2019
For premenopausal acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Generic name bremelanotide; development code PT-141.
Not EMA-approved · Not WADA-listed
The European Medicines Agency has not approved the product. WADA does not currently list it on the Prohibited List; athletes should verify with their governing body.