In PepBank now:147 peptides, 6 blends and 13 other compounds97,577 study results from 17,383 studies8,473 clinical trialsUpdated
Comparing 2 peptides · Data version 308560
Swipe sideways to see every peptide.
| Peptide | Synthetic analog Melanotan II | Natural peptide Oxytocin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity | |||
| Kind | Synthetic analog | Natural peptide | |
| Area | Sexual health and hormones | Sexual health and hormones | |
| Evidence | |||
| Amount of evidence | 914 | 3,492 (plus 1,148 on natural levels, listed separately) | |
| Evidence level | Has results from studies in people | Has results from studies in people | |
| Safety | |||
| Safety results | 39 (31 in people) | 157 (152 in people) | |
| Status | |||
| Approval | |||
| Sport (WADA) | |||
| Registered trials | 1 · 1 active | 690 · 65 active238 more mention it but do not test it | |
Shared outcomes
From the regulatory data of each peptide.
Its most advanced trial is in phase 2. The FDA, the EMA and the other sources we use show no approval (as of 9 Oct 2026).
Outcome groups with study results for at least two of these peptides. Counts include only results from studies that gave the peptide. Bar length is the number of results, on one scale. The bars show how much was studied, not how large an effect was. A peptide with more studies can look stronger here without being stronger. For results, see the randomized results above.
| Outcome group | Melanotan II | Oxytocin |
|---|---|---|
| Social behavior and cognitionNervous system and cognition | 55 | 60258616 |
| Cognition and memoryNervous system and cognition |
PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.
The FDA label for Pitocin says: “Antepartum: medically indicated induction of labor, stimulation or reinforcement of labor, adjunctive therapy in incomplete or inevitable abortion” No central EU authorisation (EMA).
11 |
41440311 |
| Brain and neuronal activityNervous system and cognition | 2626 | 38437437 |
|---|
| Anxiety and moodNervous system and cognition | 1717 | 34132417 |
|---|
| Receptor activity and mechanismWhole body | 1608377 | 28960801472 |
|---|
| Adverse eventsWhole body | 24195 | 1261233 |
|---|
| Appetite and food intakeNervous system and cognition | 21912162 | 946727 |
|---|
| PainNervous system and cognition | 66 | 1098524 |
|---|
| PharmacokineticsPharmacology | 66 | 9168203 |
|---|
| Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intakeNervous system and cognition | 2626 | 67643 |
|---|
| Sexual functionReproductive and sexual health | 3710261 | 7647245 |
|---|
| Sex hormones and fertilityReproductive and sexual health | 1616 | 150328632 |
|---|
Each analog against its native parent, residue by residue. Substitutions, non-standard residues and modifications are marked. Calculated from the two sequences.
Melanotan II differs from Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) at 4 positions.
What is different
For each outcome that two or more peptides have results for: the best result of a single randomized trial, on the same measure (the same kind of number, the same unit). When a trial has several dose arms, the cell shows the highest dose arm. The trials differ in people, length and dose, so a gap between two cells is not proof that one peptide works better.
No outcome has a randomized-trial result on the same measure for two or more of these peptides yet.
The other peptides have no randomized result on the same measure, so these results cannot be set side by side.
| Outcome | Melanotan II | Oxytocin |
|---|---|---|
| Appetite and food intakeMetabolic and weightCompared as: difference from placebo, in kcal | No comparable result 1 randomized-trial result measure it in another way or another unit. | −152 kcal Difference in caloric intake Dose studied: 24 IU four times daily8 weeksn = 612024 |
| Sexual functionReproductive and sexual healthCompared as: value in the arm that got the peptide, in % | No comparable result 9 randomized-trial results measure it in another way or another unit. | 26% FSFI score change Placebo: 31% Dose studied: 32 IU8 weeksn = 302015 |
| PharmacokineticsPharmacologyCompared as: value in the arm that got the peptide, in effect size | No randomized trial result 6 results from other study designs. | −1.12 effect size Effect size Dose studied: 48 IU/day6 weeksn = 1032020 |
| Body weightMetabolic and weightCompared as: difference from placebo, in g | No randomized trial result 86 results from other study designs. | 196 g Difference in total fat Dose studied: 24 IU four times daily8 weeksn = 612024 |
| Energy expenditure and thermogenesisMetabolic and weightCompared as: difference from placebo, in kcal/day | No randomized trial result 51 results from other study designs. | −64 kcal/day Difference in resting energy expenditure Dose studied: 24 IU four times daily8 weeksn = 612024 |
| Liver fat and liver functionLiverCompared as: difference from placebo, in proportion | No randomized trial result 9 results from other study designs. | −0.01 proportion Difference in liver fat fraction Dose studied: 24 IU four times daily8 weeksn = 612024 |
| Social behavior and cognitionMental health and moodCompared as: difference from placebo, in times | No randomized trial result 5 results from other study designs. | 44 times Trust that privacy would not be violated n = 602010 |
| Brain and neuronal activityNervous system and cognitionCompared as: difference from placebo, in regions | No randomized trial result 26 results from other study designs. | 7 regions Regions with treatment effect Dose studied: 40 IUacute challengen = 472024 |
| Sex hormones and fertilityEndocrine and hormonesCompared as: value in the arm that got the peptide, in % | No randomized trial result 16 results from other study designs. | 14.4% Mean percent change testosterone Dose studied: 24 IUn = 452020 |
| Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intakeMental health and moodCompared as: value in the arm that got the peptide, in mg | No randomized trial result 26 results from other study designs. | 56.8 mg Mean total oxazepam dose Placebo: 79 mg Dose studied: 24 IU twice dailythree daysn = 402019 |
| Anxiety and moodReproductive and sexual healthCompared as: value in the arm that got the peptide, in % | No randomized trial result 17 results from other study designs. | −20% Score reduction · Shown as a change. The study reports a score reduction of this size. Placebo: −4% Dose studied: 20 IU twice daily in week 1, then 40 IU twice daily8 weeksn = 402013 |
| Cognition and memoryNervous system and cognitionCompared as: difference from placebo, in sd | No randomized trial result 1 result from other study designs. | 1.39 SD effect size n = 262017 |
No comparable result
1 randomized-trial result measure it in another way or another unit.
−152 kcal
Difference in caloric intake
Dose studied: 24 IU four times daily8 weeksn = 612024
No comparable result
9 randomized-trial results measure it in another way or another unit.
26%
FSFI score change
Placebo: 31%
Dose studied: 32 IU8 weeksn = 302015
No randomized trial result
6 results from other study designs.
−1.12 effect size
Effect size
Dose studied: 48 IU/day6 weeksn = 1032020
No randomized trial result
86 results from other study designs.
196 g
Difference in total fat
Dose studied: 24 IU four times daily8 weeksn = 612024
No randomized trial result
51 results from other study designs.
−64 kcal/day
Difference in resting energy expenditure
Dose studied: 24 IU four times daily8 weeksn = 612024
No randomized trial result
9 results from other study designs.
−0.01 proportion
Difference in liver fat fraction
Dose studied: 24 IU four times daily8 weeksn = 612024
No randomized trial result
5 results from other study designs.
44 times
Trust that privacy would not be violated
n = 602010
No randomized trial result
26 results from other study designs.
7 regions
Regions with treatment effect
Dose studied: 40 IUacute challengen = 472024
No randomized trial result
16 results from other study designs.
14.4%
Mean percent change testosterone
Dose studied: 24 IUn = 452020
No randomized trial result
26 results from other study designs.
56.8 mg
Mean total oxazepam dose
Placebo: 79 mg
Dose studied: 24 IU twice dailythree daysn = 402019
No randomized trial result
17 results from other study designs.
−20%
Score reduction · Shown as a change. The study reports a score reduction of this size.
Placebo: −4%
Dose studied: 20 IU twice daily in week 1, then 40 IU twice daily8 weeksn = 402013
No randomized trial result
1 result from other study designs.
1.39 SD
effect size
n = 262017
Registered trials, ranked by phase (late phases first), then posted results and enrollment. Status is the registry status. Study results come from published studies. Results posted at ClinicalTrials.gov are shown on each trial page.
1 trial · 1 ongoing · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)
Hudson Biotech60 participants2 Feb 2026 to est. 17 Feb 2028
NonSegmental Vitiligo · Nonsegmental Vitiligo (Stable)
Top 3 of 690 trials, ranked by phase, then posted results and enrollment: 3 completed · 3 with posted results · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)
University of Alabama at Birmingham1,798 participantsNov 2008 to Jun 2010
Uterine Atony · Postpartum Hemorrhage
Northwestern University1,003 participants28 Sept 2015 to 28 Sept 2020
Dystocia
University of Zimbabwe506 participants8 Apr 2018 to 30 Jun 2019
Post Partum Hemorrhage
238 more mention it but do not test it. They only measure it or name it in their text.