Independent · non-commercial · publishes on a quarterly cycle|Current cycle 2026 Q3
Compound Evidence InstituteEvidence synthesis · established 2023Graded assessments of compounds, trials, methods and supply
Document set current to 30 July 2026
Compound monograph · Melanocortin receptor agonists

PT-141 (bremelanotide) — compound monograph

Melanocortin receptor agonist (cyclic heptapeptide). Approved. The Institute assesses 1 outcome for this compound and grades the strongest at moderate certainty.

Document identifier
CEI-MN-048
Series
Compound monograph
Version
4.1
Published
15 May 2023
Last reviewed
15 Aug 2024
Next review
15 Aug 2026
Identifier
10.71829/cei.mono.48
Certainty
Moderate
Cycle
2023 Q2

§1Identification and status

§1.1Nomenclature

Preferred name
PT-141 (bremelanotide)
Compound class
Melanocortin receptor agonist (cyclic heptapeptide)
Assessment series
Melanocortin receptor agonists
Synonyms and codes
bremelanotide · PT-141 · Vyleesi (trade)
Route as evaluated
Subcutaneous, on demand

§1.2Chemistry

Chemical identifiers are reproduced where they are public. Where a structure has not been published the monograph records not disclosed rather than constructing one.[1]

CAS registry number
189691-06-3
Molecular formula
C50H68N14O10
Average mass
1025.16
Monoisotopic mass
1024.52
ATC classification
G02CX05

§1.3Sequence and structural notes

Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-OH

A cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, formed by a lactam bridge between the Asp side chain and the Lys side chain. It is the deaminated metabolite of melanotan-II and, unlike melanotan-II, holds a marketing authorisation. The cyclic constraint is essential to the pharmacology and its integrity is a critical quality attribute.

§1.4Assessment status

The Institute assesses PT-141 (bremelanotide) across 1 indication and grades the strongest of them at moderate certainty. Holds a marketing authorisation for at least one indication in at least one jurisdiction.

Distribution of certainty ratingsShare of assessed outcomes at each certainty level.1assessed outcomes
HighModerateLowVery low
Figure 1. Distribution of certainty ratings across the 1 outcome the Institute assesses for PT-141 (bremelanotide). A rating attaches to a specific population, comparator and outcome and does not transfer between them.

Table 1. Assessed outcomes for PT-141 (bremelanotide), ordered by certainty. Each row links to the per-indication evidence extract.

IndicationEffect as recordedCertaintyTrials
Hypoactive sexual desire and erectile dysfunctionChange in Female Sexual Function Index desire domain of +0.30 versus +0.06 with placebo, and improvement in the Female Sexual Distress Scale item 13…Moderate2
Effects are reproduced as the contributing trials reported them. Where a confidence interval is held it appears on the per-indication extract rather than in this summary table.

References cited on this page

References are numbered in order of first citation in this document. Each superscript in the text links to its entry below.

  1. International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. ICH Q6B Specifications: Test Procedures and Acceptance Criteria for Biotechnological/Biological Products. ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline 1999;Step 4 version. identifier not held by the Institute

Identifiers are reproduced only where the Institute holds them. Where a digital object identifier or PubMed identifier is not shown, the Institute has recorded the journal and year and has not constructed an identifier.

Nothing published by the Institute is medical advice, a diagnosis, a prescription, a treatment recommendation or a purchasing recommendation. Compounds supplied for research use are not approved for human or veterinary use in any jurisdiction, and a favourable analytical assessment of a supplier is not a statement that any product is safe or effective. The Institute publishes certainty ratings and never recommendations. No telephone number, messaging handle or ordering channel appears anywhere on this site.