At a glance
Type
Melanocortin agonist (heptapeptide)
Molecular weight
≈1025.2 g/mol
Studied for
Sexual desireCentral arousalMC4R receptor
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a melanocortin-receptor agonist studied for sexual desire and arousal. Unlike vascular agents, it works in the central nervous system — an α-MSH-type peptide that acts on the brain’s melanocortin pathways.
How PT-141 works
PT-141 activates central melanocortin receptors, with high affinity for MC4R (and activity at MC1R/MC3R), which sit largely in the central nervous system. It is thought to work through hypothalamic pathways involved in sexual desire and arousal; in animal studies it activates hypothalamic neurons.
What the research shows
- Phase 3 RECONNECT trials (Kingsberg et al., 2019). In two randomized trials in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), bremelanotide significantly improved sexual desire and reduced associated distress versus placebo.
- Subgroup consistency (Simon et al., 2022). Benefits were consistent across age, weight, BMI and other subgroups.
- Foundational pharmacology (Molinoff et al., 2003). Established PT-141 as a central melanocortin (MC3R/MC4R) agonist for sexual dysfunction.
Context & candour: bremelanotide was marketed as Vyleesi for HSDD in premenopausal women — the only setting with controlled human evidence (noted for context only). Its use for other purposes or populations is not supported by comparable trials. Use belongs under a physician’s guidance.
Molecular specification
| Type | Melanocortin receptor agonist (cyclic heptapeptide) |
| Sequence | Cyclic α-MSH heptapeptide analog |
| Molecular formula | C50H68N14O10 |
| Molecular weight | ≈1025.2 g/mol |
| CAS number | 189691-06-3 (free base) |
Quality and sourcing
Every batch of Azzurri Wellness PT-141 is compounded through a Registered 503B outsourcing facility under GMP-compliant processes, HPLC-tested for purity and potency, and third-party lab verified. Shipped cold-pack when needed to protect stability.
References
- Kingsberg SA, et al. Bremelanotide for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Two Randomized Phase 3 Trials. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;134(5):899–908. PubMed
- Simon JA, et al. Prespecified and Integrated Subgroup Analyses from the RECONNECT Phase 3 Studies of Bremelanotide. J Womens Health. 2022;31(3):391–400. PubMed
- Molinoff PB, et al. PT-141: A Melanocortin Agonist for the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003;994:96–102. PubMed
- Dhillon S, Keam SJ. Bremelanotide: First Approval. Drugs. 2019;79(14):1599–1606. PubMed
Compiled by the Azzurri Wellness Research Team and checked against the cited literature. Educational only — not medical advice.
