Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis

Abstract

Melanotan II use resulted in systemic toxicity including apparent sympathomimetic symptoms, rhabdomyolysis, and renal dysfunction.

SMART: An Internet study of users experiences of synthetic tanning

“…Melanotan I and II are more than 1000 times more potent than endogenous a-MSH due to resistance to enzymatic breakdown (Hadley & Dorr, 2006;Langan et al, 2010). However, Melanotan II increases pigmentation at lower cumulative doses than Melanotan I, with greater levels of side effects relating to effects on satiety and sexual stimulation (Mahiques-Santos, 2012;Mataix, 2012;Nelson, Bryant, & Aks, 2012;Ong & Bowling, 2012;Paurobally et al, 2013;Strange, 2009). See Fig.…”

“…There is a lack of research addressing the long term effects of Melanotan I and II despite clinicians reporting concerns around its use relating to increased skin pigmentation, rhabdomyolysis, systemic toxicity with sympathomimetic symptoms, renal dysfunction and reversible encephalopathy syndrome (Javed, Yarrow, & Hemmington Gorse, 2013;Kaski, Stafford, Mehta, Jenkins, & Malhotra, 2013;Nelson et al, 2012). Dysplastic changes in existing nevi, eruptive atypical melanocytic nevi or appearance of new lesions and freckles following melanotan use are common (Burian, 2013;Cardones, Rand, & Richnik, 2009;Cousen et al, 2009;Ferrandiz-Pulido, Fernandez-Figueras, Quer, & Ferrandiz, 2011;Hueso-Gabriel et al, 2012;Javed et al, 2013;Langan, Ramlogan, Jamieson, & Rhodes, 2009;Langan et al, 2010;Ong & Bowling, 2012;Paurobally et al, 2011;Reid, Fitzgerald, Fabre, & Kirby, 2013;Sivyer, 2012;Thestrup-Pedersen & Sondergaard, 2010).…”

Eruptive naevi and darkening of pre-existing naevi 24 h after a single mono-dose injection of melanotan II

“…The patient and her family declined postoperative adjuvant therapy. Negativity for INI1 can be used to confirm the diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma [10]. Angiosarcoma shows several rare variants: a spindle cell variant, a granular cell variant [3], a foamy cell variant [4] and a signet ring cell variant [5].…”

Melanoma Associated with the Use of Melanotan-II

“…The substance can illegally be obtained from the Internet or from gyms and sunbed parlours, without any medical control or restriction [5]. Several governmental drug-regulatory bodies have issued warnings [6] against the use of MT-II, and in the literature MT-II has been related to eruptive [7] and atypical naevi [8], melanoma [9], melanonychia [10] and rhabdomyolysis [11]. …”