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A doctor is warning people about a worrying side effect of Melanotan II that can cause very long erections — reports say some users have experienced erections lasting up to around 30 hours. The story comes from media coverage of medical warnings rather than a controlled scientific study. It’s mainly an alert about real-world harms seen in people who use this unregulated product. Melanotan II is a synthetic peptide — think of it as a tiny, lab-made version of a natural molecule that can nudge the body in certain ways. It was originally designed to stimulate skin cells to produce more pigment, so people using it often hope for a tan without sun exposure. It is not an approved medicine in most countries and is usually sold online in mixed-quality forms. Because it’s a peptide, people inject it under the skin to get an effect, but the dose and purity are rarely verified. What the reports actually show is mostly anecdotal and clinical warning rather than large-scale trial data. Doctors and health services have been seeing cases where people who injected Melanotan II developed prolonged erections, sometimes lasting many hours — far longer than a normal erection. These accounts are serious because prolonged erections (a condition called priapism) can damage tissue and lead to long-term sexual dysfunction if not treated promptly. The coverage mentions individual cases and medical advice; it does not describe a randomized trial or a known rate of how often this happens. This matters because a lot of people buy Melanotan II online to tan without sunburn, thinking it’s a harmless shortcut. The warning highlights that “harmless” is a risky assumption. Anyone considering using unlicensed injected peptides should know there can be severe side effects that require urgent medical care. Men who notice an erection lasting longer than four hours should seek emergency treatment to avoid permanent damage. There are important caveats. Melanotan II is not regulated like prescription drugs, so products can be impure or mislabeled. Side effects reported include nausea, flushing, darkened moles, and the sexual effects described here. The long-erection side effect is uncommon in general medicine but is serious when it occurs. Because the evidence is mainly case reports and clinicians’ warnings, we don’t have a reliable measure of risk; however, the potential harm is clear. Pregnant people and those with certain health conditions shouldn’t use unregulated injections; and anyone experiencing severe side effects should get immediate medical help. Bottom line: Melanotan II is an unapproved tanning peptide sold online that has been linked to dangerous, prolonged erections among other side effects, so using it carries real and sometimes urgent risks.
Source: LADbible