PT-141 (bremelanotide)
Approved in the US as Vyleesi, for one specific condition in premenopausal women.
At a glance. A peptide that acts on desire in the brain rather than on blood flow, with modest but real trial results.
Written and maintained by the AVERON Research Desk · Last reviewed September 2026
What it is
PT-141 is a synthetic peptide related to Melanotan II. As a drug it is called bremelanotide. It activates melanocortin receptors, mainly the melanocortin 4 receptor in the brain, which is involved in sexual desire and arousal.
This makes it fundamentally different from drugs such as sildenafil. Those work on blood flow. PT-141 works on the brain's desire pathways.
What researchers study it for
Its approved use is acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women: persistently low sexual desire that causes distress and is not explained by another condition, a medicine or relationship problems. It has also been studied in erectile dysfunction.
What the research shows
The approval was based on two phase 3 trials known as RECONNECT, published by Sheryl Kingsberg and colleagues in Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2019. Over 24 weeks, women using bremelanotide reported statistically significant improvements in sexual desire and reductions in distress about low desire, compared with placebo. The effects were modest. There was no significant difference between groups in the number of satisfying sexual events.
The US FDA approved it as Vyleesi on 21 June 2019.
What it does not do, and what is not known
- It is not a blood-flow drug and does not work like sildenafil.
- Its approval covers premenopausal women with HSDD only. Use in men and in postmenopausal women is not approved.
- The trial effects on desire were modest, and it did not significantly increase the number of satisfying sexual events.
- It is used on demand, not daily.
- Research-grade material is not Vyleesi.
Adverse effects reported in research
Nausea was the most common adverse effect, reported by about 40% of participants in the trials, most often with the first dose. Flushing and headache were also common. Bremelanotide causes a temporary rise in blood pressure, so the prescribing information advises against its use in people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or known cardiovascular disease. Darkening of small areas of skin was reported in a small percentage of users.
Regulatory and anti-doping status
Regulatory: Approved by the US FDA in June 2019 as Vyleesi, for acquired, generalised HSDD in premenopausal women.
Anti-doping: As a substance with a current approval, it does not fall under WADA's category S0, and it is not named elsewhere on the Prohibited List. Athletes should confirm with their anti-doping organisation.
At AVERON
PT-141 is not yet in stock. When it arrives, it will be listed in the shop, and its independent lab report will be published on our verify page before it is sold.
Frequently asked questions
Doses mentioned on this page are the arms of published studies or the terms of an approved product, given to describe the evidence. They are not guidance.