Risky tan

The supervisory authorities of the UK warn of the insecurity of the injectable drug melanotan, which stimulates the production of melanin in skin cells. Illegal online pharmacies and some beauty salons sell melanotan as a means of causing an artificial tan.

The name "melanotan" combines two synthetic analogues of melanocin-stimulating hormone, which controls the synthesis of melanin pigment in skin cells. Both substances cause skin pigmentation without exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In addition, one of them, the so-called melanotan II, increases libido and causes an erection.

Now both versions of the drug are undergoing clinical trials as a treatment for certain skin diseases. Melanotan II is also being investigated as a promising drug for the treatment of impotence.

According to the British Agency for Supervision of Medicines and Medical Products (MHRA), a number of unscrupulous entrepreneurs offer buyers to purchase melanotan to give the skin the desired bronze hue. The course of daily injections is recommended to continue for a week, and if necessary, repeat it.

As noted in the Agency's report, melanotan has not been registered in the UK or anywhere else in the world, so the composition and origin of the drugs sold to the British remain unknown. The possible side effects associated with prolonged use of the drug are also unknown.

At the moment, representatives of the MHRA have contacted 18 companies noticed in the sale of unregistered drugs. All of them are advised to immediately stop illegal activities.