MANAGING ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

At Innerbody Research, we customize our evaluation criteria depending on the type and nature of the health-related service or product. For health products like PT 141, we have five areas that we use for our evaluations, including:

Liquid Cialis: Dosage, Instructions & Uses

Cialis® is a prescription medication for erectile dysfunction (ED). It works by increasing the rate of blood flow to your penis, making it easier for you to get and maintain an erection when you’re sexually aroused.

If you’ve searched for information about Cialis, you may have seen mentions of a liquid version of this medication.

You may have also seen websites advertising liquid versions of Cialis and other popular drugs for treating ED.

While there isn’t a liquid version of Cialis in the United States, some compounding pharmacies (pharmacies that can prepare custom medication formulations) may be able to prepare a liquid version of Cialis for you to use if you have a valid prescription.

Below, we’ve explained how liquid Cialis works, as well as this medication’s current availability in the United States.

We’ve also talked about why you should be wary of online stores advertising liquid versions of Cialis, Viagra®, Levitra® and other ED medications.

Liquid Cialis: The Basics

  • Cialis, which contains the active ingredient tadalafil, is a popular medication that’s used to treat erectile dysfunction.
  • The FDA has yet to approve Cialis in liquid form. However, if you have a prescription for Cialis, some compounding pharmacies may be able to create a liquid solution containing tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis.
  • Some vendors market liquid versions of Cialis and other ED medications for sale online, usually labeled as “research chemicals.”
  • These products aren’t approved by the FDA or intended for human consumption. While some may contain tadalafil, there’s no way to know if the labeled dosage is accurate, or if these medications are manufactured safely.
  • If you’d like to use Cialis to treat ED, you can access our FDA-approved ED medications after consulting with a licensed healthcare provider online.

What Is Liquid Cialis?

Liquid Cialis is exactly what it sounds like — the ingredient tadalafil, which is used in Cialis, sold as a liquid rather than as a tablet.

Currently, Cialis is only available in the United States in tablet form. However, some pharmacies may offer liquid Cialis as a custom formulation for men who have issues that prevent them from using the tablet versions of Cialis or generic tadalafil.

Liquid Cialis typically comes in a dropper bottle, with an applicator that you can use to measure and ingest each dose.

genuine Viagra® makes it possible

Liquid Cialis Dosage & Use

Cialis and generic tadalafil come in a range of dosages, from 5mg to 10mg per tablet as-needed or as a daily-use medication in 2.5mg or 5mg per tablet.

If you’re prescribed Cialis at a certain dosage, it’s important to take the same dosage if you use this medication in liquid form.

Most compounding pharmacies will provide information about the dosage of your liquid Cialis on the label. Note that the dosage for liquid medications is usually specified per milliliter (mL).

To measure the correct dosage, you’ll typically need to use the dropper provided with your liquid medication. Fill the dropper up to the level required to provide the specific dosage prescribed by your healthcare provider.

To ingest liquid medication, gently squeeze the dropper to release the liquid into your mouth. It may help to aim the dropper between your tongue and your cheek to ensure that you don’t spill any of the medication.

ED treatments, delivered

Generic for Viagra (sildenafil)

The more affordable FDA-approved medication that treats Erectile Dysfunction at a quarter of the cost. 🙌

Generic for Cialis (tadalafil)

Affordable and helps get the job done. Generic Cialis helps you get and maintain your erections through a simple, daily dosage.

Viagra®

The OG Little Blue Pill that made its name as the first prescription Erectile Dysfunction treatment.

Cialis®

Cialis helps you get and keep stronger erections with a daily or as-needed pill.

Be Wary of Liquid Cialis Sold Online

Cialis is a prescription medication, meaning you’ll need to talk to a licensed healthcare provider before you can legally purchase and use it to treat erectile dysfunction.

Despite this, some online merchants may offer Cialis in liquid form without any need for a valid prescription. This type of liquid Cialis is often marketed as a research chemical and sold with a disclaimer stating that it’s “for research use only” or “not designed for human consumption.”

We strongly caution against buying this form of Cialis, as products of this type have several key issues that may make them unsafe for your use:

They’re unregulated.

    • Unlike medications sold in the United States, these products are subject to few, if any, regulations. This means that the dosage of the medication may be completely different from what’s printed on the label.

Because of these issues, it’s far better to purchase Cialis legally with a prescription than to order an unlicensed version of liquid Cialis online.

get hard or your money back

In Conclusion

Although Cialis is generally only available as a tablet, some compounding pharmacies may be able to produce a liquid version of Cialis if you have an medical issue that makes it impractical or difficult for you to take this medication in its standard dosage form.

We offer Cialis and tadalafil online, as well as other ED medications online. If you’d like to use Cialis or a similar medication to treat ED, you can talk to a licensed healthcare provider and, if appropriate, receive a valid prescription for your preferred medication.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

MANAGING ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Medications are often the first treatment tried for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation (PE). For most men who have trouble keeping an erection firm enough for sex (erectile dysfunction), these medications work well and cause few side effects.

Sildenafil (Viagra) and Tadalafil (Cialis) are both medications that reverse erectile dysfunction by increasing nitric oxide, a chemical naturally produced by your body. Nitric oxide opens and relaxes blood vessels in the penis, helping you get and keep an erection. These erectile dysfunction medications don’t increase your sex drive, though, and cause erections only when you are sexually stimulated.

Bremelanotide PT 141 was developed from Melanotan II, targeting its aphrodisiac effects. This peptide has been shown to have a substantial effect on libido, generating sexual arousal in both men and women within minutes of administration. It has been shown to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction, even in men who have not responded to other ED treatments, such as Viagra and Cialis. This peptide is also able to cross the blood-brain-barrier, bypassing the vascular system and acting at the level of the central nervous system. PT- 141 has been shown to have significant results on male test patients, with what are described as “intense” and “frequent” erections lasting between 2-6 hours.

Tramadex is a blend of two compounded combination of medications which are used to treat premature ejaculation (PE). It can be combined with Viagra or Cialis. It works by the targeted modulation of synaptic receptors and processes of the central nervous system that are involved in the ejaculatory process. Treating PE with Tramadex can help to increase Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time or the Time-to-Ejaculation (T2E) thereby enhancing enjoyment of sexual intercourse. This treatment has the ability to both extend the T2E as well as completely suppress the ejaculatory response at higher doses on the order of two to three capsules.

Comparing Erectile Dysfunction Medications

Viagra, Cialis, PT 141 and Tramadex — How Are They’re Different

Although they work in similar ways, each of these medications has a slightly different chemical makeup. These minor differences affect the way each medication works, such as how quickly it takes effect and wears off, and the potential side effects. We will consider these factors when deciding if one of these medications is a good choice for you.

Viagra– take it without food, no more than once a day, take it 60 minutes or longer before sex, effective up to 4 hours.

Cialis– take it without food, no more than once a day, take it 30 minutes or longer before sex, effective for up to 36 hours

PT 141- injection done a couple hours before sex, e ffects may be felt up to 12 hours from the time of administration and have been known to last for up to 3 days, diminishing each day.

Tramadex – take it without food, 1.5 – 2 hours before sex, can take 1-2 capsules, effective up to 6 hours.

Office Visits

Call 480-839-4131 or fill out a consultation request form to get started.

Your visit at transformyou will consist of a review of your medical history and any pertinent physical exams. If you take medication an assessment of possible interactions will be done. Depending on your medical history and personal convenience, a specific ED medication will be prescribed. The medication dosage and quantity is customizable. All medication is made in a licensed compounding pharmacy here in Arizona and is the generic version of the brand name. Sildenafil is the generic for Viagra and Tadalafil is the generic for Cialis. These generics are equally as effective as the name brand medications but at a reduced price (approximately 50% off the retail pharmacy price in purchased through transformyou).

All patients always work directly with one of our licensed physicians to ensure patient safety and confidentiality.

Purchase Peptides Cialis Review

Product Usage: THIS PRODUCT IS INTENDED AS A RESEARCH CHEMICAL ONLY. This designation allows the use of research chemicals strictly for in vitro testing and laboratory experimentation only. All product information available on this website is for educational purposes only. Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law. This product should only be handled by licensed, qualified professionals. This product is not a drug, food, or cosmetic and may not be misbranded, misused or mislabled as a drug, food or cosmetic.

What Is PT-141?

PT-141, also called bremelanotide, is sometimes referred to as the female Viagra because the peptide was previously investigated in phase IIb human clinical trials for use in treating female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). PT-141 is a melanocortin that binds primarily to melanocortin 4 receptor (MC-4R) and MC-1R. In 2009, PT-141 was also investigated as a treatment for acute hemorrhage. PT-141 is a derivative of another synthetic melanocortin, melanotan 2 (MT-2).

PT-141 Molecular Structure

Sequence: Ac-Nle-Asp(1)-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys(1)
Molecular Formula: C50H68N14O10
Molecular Weight: 1025.182 g/mol
PubChem CID: 9941379
CAS Number: 189691-06-3

PT-141 Research

PT-141 and Sexual Arousal

PT-141 is a unique peptide in that it stimulates the MC-4R, which is known to produce sexual arousal in the central nervous system and influence sexual behavior [1], [2] . Studies in mice have shown that agonist binding to MC-4R causes sexual arousal and increased copulation in both males and females [3], [4] . Because PT-141 works via a different mechanism than drugs like Viagra, it is possible to treat sexual arousal disorders in both men and women that stem from causes other than reduced blood flow to the genitals.

A study of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who did not respond to sildenafil (Viagra) found that roughly one third experienced adequate erection for sexual intercourse with PT-141 (administered via nasal spray). There was also a strong dose-dependent response in the trial, indicating that PT-141 is indeed effective in certain cases [] . This suggests that PT-141 could offer insight into correcting ED in settings where sildenafil has failed and may offer insight into central causes of hypoactive sexual desire.

Duration of penile base rigidity greater than 60% for placebo compared to various doses of PT-141.
Source: Nature

Interestingly, PT-141 was pulled from clinical trials before it reached approval for use in women suffering from HSDD. This is despite signs that the drug increased the number of satisfying sexual events per month and decreased female sexual distress scores in a statistically significant manner without any substantial side effects [6] . Many experts who treat female sexual dysfunction (FSD) were dismayed to find the peptide was not being advanced despite positive results. They point to a lack of established endpoints for trials of FSD and sociocultural biases against women’s sexual health as the primary roadblocks that are inhibiting approval of what they see as much-needed therapies [7] . They hope that greater attention will be given to the topic and that the FDA will establish more concrete guidelines for evaluating therapies like PT-141 that can offer benefit. These experts also expressed dismay that the pharmacological treatments were not tested in conjunction with other established means of treating sexual dysfunction as they believe that the combination may prove synergistic and that peptides like PT-141 may be useful for overcoming initial barriers and jump-starting psychological treatment modalities.

In 2017, partly in response to the outcry against the cessation of earlier trials, Phase II Reconnect trials were launched using subcutaneous injections of PT-141 for FSD. The newest version of PT-141, called Rekynda, may soon be available for use in the United States. It would be legal to use PT-141 off-label, at that point, to treat both male and female sexual dysfunction [8] . These new trials have relied on the kind of modified endpoints that experts in FSD have touted as beneficial to seeing these kinds of treatments approved.

PT-141 and Hemorrhage

In 2009, PT-141 was modified slightly and investigated as a potential treatment for hemorrhagic shock. Because PT-141 binds to both MC-1R and MC-4R, it reduces ischemia and protects tissues against inadequate blood supply in the setting of hypovolemic (hemorrhagic) shock. The drug, when administered intravenously, does not produce substantial side effects. It was last in phase IIb trials. The modified version of PT-141 is referred to as PL-6983.

PT-141 and Infection

The MC-1R has been found, in a rat model of a specific fungal infection, to possess important anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties [9] . This is of particular importance because current anti-fungals are limited in terms of their mechanism of action and all produce serious and treatment-limiting side effects in certain patients. Having an alternative to use in the treatment of fungal infections could reduce morbidity and mortality substantially, especially in patients with immune compromise.

PT-141 and Cancer

The MC-1R receptor is an important stimulus of DNA repair pathways and thus is of interest in cancer treatment and prevention [10] . Research shows that people with variants of MC-1R are at increased risk for both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma [11] . Altered PT-141 may be able to correct the problems experienced as a result of these variants and prevent or treat these cancers.

PT-141 and Weight Loss

Research shows that the MC-4R plays a critical role in appetite regulation. Peptides like melanotan 2 and PT-141, which are agonists of the MC-4R, promote feelings of satiety and decrease total calorie intake. It appears that PT-141 also interacts with leptin signaling pathways to regulate food intake in a complex manner. This should not come as a surprise given that PT-141 is a derivative of α-MSH, which has been found to negatively regulate food intake via interactions with the ghrelin-leptin system.

There is also evidence, from animal studies, to suggest that PT-141 increases energy expenditure by uncoupling certain energy pathways. This leads to an increase basal metabolism. Research in mice shows that activation of the MC-4R can increase thermogenesis, even in mice genetically modified to be deficient in the proteins that regulate this process[13]. The result is increased calorie burn, even at rest, with most of the calorie burn taking place in adipose tissue.

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials have recently supported the above physiological findings and have confirmed that PT-141 leads to significant weight loss, primarily as a result of decreased caloric intake. Subjects given PT-141 lost roughly twice as much weight as those in the placebo arm of the study. Overall, the caloric intake reduction amounted to nearly 400 kcal/day. There was also a dose-response in the research, with subjects losing more weight when administered PT-141 twice per day rather than once per day[14]. PT-141 and its melanocortin receptor interactions are now under active investigation to better understand the role of the melanocortin system in weight loss and energy balance.

PT-141 Research Directions

Right now, PT-141 has received widespread and intense attention as a treatment for sexual dysfunction. There is, however, a great deal of potential research outside of sexual dysfunction and hemorrhage that PT-141 could be applied to. For instance, MC-4R is well-known to be defective or missing in certain cases of obesity and may account for as much as 6% of all cases of early-onset obesity. PT-141 offers a unique means of exploring this particular cause of obesity and potentially illustrating a pathway for intervention. MC-1R plays roles in both pain and inflammation, as well as kidney pathology and the spread of infection. There is a plethora of available research that PT-141 could help to shed light on.

PT-141 exhibits minimal side effects, low oral and excellent subcutaneous bioavailability in mice. Per kg dosage in mice does not scale to humans. PT-141 for sale at Peptide Sciences is limited to educational and scientific research only, not for human consumption. Only buy PT-141 if you are a licensed researcher.

Article Author

The above literature was researched, edited and organized by Dr. Logan, M.D. Dr. Logan holds a doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a B.S. in molecular biology.

Scientific Journal Author

Dr. Sheryl A. Kingsberg is the chief of behavioral medicine at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and professor in Reproductive Biology and Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University. Her areas of clinical specialization include sexual medicine, female sexual disorders, cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, menopause, pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders, psychological aspects of infertility, and psychological and sexual aspects of cancer. Dr. Kingsberg’s primary research interests are in treatments for female sexual disorders and the psychological aspects of infertility and menopause. She led a randomized, placebo-controlled dose-finding trial for PT-141. She has numerous publications in many national and international journals, sits on the editorial board of Menopause and has authored numerous chapters on topics including perimenopause and sexuality, oocyte donation, infertility and aging, the treatment of psychogenic erectile dysfunction and sexuality after cancer. Dr. Kingsberg received her PhD from the University of South Florida in Tampa and completed her fellowship in sexual medicine at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. She is an active member in a number of national and international organizations including the American Psychological Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. She currently sits on the Board of Trustees of The North American Menopause Society, and serves as the current treasurer of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Dr. Kingsberg is a past president of The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health.

Dr. Sheryl A. Kingsberg is being referenced as one of the leading scientists involved in the research and development of PT-141. In no way is this doctor/scientist endorsing or advocating the purchase, sale, or use of this product for any reason. There is no affiliation or relationship, implied or otherwise, between Peptide Sciences and this doctor. The purpose of citing the doctor is to acknowledge, recognize, and credit the exhaustive research and development efforts conducted by the scientists studying this peptide. Dr. Kingsberg is listed in [12] under the referenced citations.

Referenced Citations

  • [1] M. Sandrock, A. Schulz, C. Merkwitz, T. Schöneberg, K. Spanel-Borowski, and A. Ricken, “Reduction in corpora lutea number in obese melanocortin-4-receptor-deficient mice,” Reprod. Biol. Endocrinol. RBE, vol. 7, p. 24, Mar. 2009. [PMC]
  • [2] R. C. Rosen, L. E. Diamond, D. C. Earle, A. M. Shadiack, and P. B. Molinoff, “Evaluation of the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of subcutaneously administered PT-141, a melanocortin receptor agonist, in healthy male subjects and in patients with an inadequate response to Viagra,” Int. J. Impot. Res., vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 135–142, Apr. 2004. [PubMed]
  • [3] H. Wessells, V. J. Hruby, J. Hackett, G. Han, P. Balse-Srinivasan, and T. W. Vanderah, “Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 induces penile erection via brain and spinal melanocortin receptors,” Neuroscience, vol. 118, no. 3, pp. 755–762, 2003. [PubMed]
  • [4] A.-S. Rössler, J. G. Pfaus, H. K. Kia, J. Bernabé, L. Alexandre, and F. Giuliano, “The melanocortin agonist, melanotan II, enhances proceptive sexual behaviors in the female rat,” Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., vol. 85, no. 3, pp. 514–521, Nov. 2006. [PubMed]
  • [5] M. R. Safarinejad and S. Y. Hosseini, “Salvage of sildenafil failures with bremelanotide: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study,” J. Urol., vol. 179, no. 3, pp. 1066–1071, Mar. 2008. [PubMed]
  • [6] A. H. Clayton et al., “Bremelanotide for female sexual dysfunctions in premenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled dose-finding trial,” Womens Health Lond. Engl., vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 325–337, 2016. [PubMed]
  • [7] M. K. Miller, J. R. Smith, J. J. Norman, and A. H. Clayton, “Expert opinion on existing and developing drugs to treat female sexual dysfunction,” Expert Opin. Emerg. Drugs, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 223–230, 2018. [PubMed]
  • [8] “AMAG Pharmaceuticals and Palatin Technologies Enter Into Exclusive Licensing Agreement for North American Rights to RekyndaTM (bremelanotide), a Potential Treatment for a Common Female Sexual Disorder – AMAG Pharmaceuticals.” . [MarketWatch]
  • [9] H. Ji et al., “The Synthetic Melanocortin (CKPV)2 Exerts Anti-Fungal and Anti-Inflammatory Effects against Candida albicans Vaginitis via Inducing Macrophage M2 Polarization,” PLoS ONE, vol. 8, no. 2, Feb. 2013. [PLOS ONE]
  • [10] V. Maresca, E. Flori, and M. Picardo, “Skin phototype: a new perspective,” Pigment Cell Melanoma Res., vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 378–389, Jul. 2015. [PubMed]
  • [11] L. Feller, R. a. G. Khammissa, B. Kramer, M. Altini, and J. Lemmer, “Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma of the head and face,” Head Face Med., vol. 12, p. 11, Feb. 2016. [PubMed]
  • [12] Clayton AH, Althof SE, Kingsberg S, et al. Bremelanotide for female sexual dysfunctions in premenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled dose-finding trial. Womens Health (Lond). 2016;12(3):325–337. doi:10.2217/whe-2016-0018 [PMC]
  • [13] T. R. McMillan, M. A. M. Forster, L. I. Short, A. P. Rudecki, D. L. Cline, and S. L. Gray, “Melanotan II, a melanocortin agonist, partially rescues the impaired thermogenic capacity of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide deficient mice,” Exp. Physiol., vol. 106, no. 2, pp. 427–437, Feb. 2021, doi: 10.1113/EP088838. [PubMed]
  • [14] C. Spana, R. Jordan, and S. Fischkoff, “Effect of bremelanotide on body weight of obese women: Data from two phase 1 randomized controlled trials,” Diabetes Obes. Metab., vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 1084–1093, Jun. 2022, doi: 10.1111/dom.14672. [PubMed]

ALL ARTICLES AND PRODUCT INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

The products offered on this website are furnished for in-vitro studies only. In-vitro studies (Latin: in glass) are performed outside of the body. These products are not medicines or drugs and have not been approved by the FDA to prevent, treat or cure any medical condition, ailment or disease. Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law.

PT 141: Is this novel ED treatment safe?

We take a deep dive into the science and side effects of PT 141 to tell you whether it’s safe enough to help combat erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can be devastating to a man’s sex life and self-esteem. Not only does it prevent him from enjoying intercourse with his partner, but it also creates a tremendous amount of shame. But there are myriad causes for ED — from stress and fatigue to medications and obesity. In fact, ED will affect up to a third of men at some point in their lives.

Fortunately, there are more ways to treat ED today than ever before, with pills, natural supplements, and even unconventional approaches like PT 141. Medications like Viagra and Cialis are staples in conversations about male sexual health, but PT 141 may be new to you. That’s why we’ve created this guide to familiarize you with its potential and help you decide if it’s right for you.

The Research

Why you should trust us

At Innerbody Research, we extensively test each health service we review. All told, we’ve spent hundreds of hours testing and researching ED treatments. Over the past two decades, we have helped tens of millions of readers like you make more informed decisions to live healthier lives.

We try our best to give you, our readers, unbiased exploration of at-home health services, free of marketing jargon or gimmicks. We evaluate the service based on our adherence to quality, the latest medical evidence and health standards, and a simple question: would we buy the product or service ourselves if it weren’t part of our job, and would we recommend it to family and friends?

Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this assessment of PT 141 was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.

What is PT 141?

PT 141, sometimes referred to as bremelanotide, gained traction in the early 2000s as a potential treatment for erectile dysfunction after scientists tested analogs of melanocyte receptor stimulators as potential tanning agents. They saw spontaneous erections occur in trials. Erection onset time and duration appeared dose-dependent, but researchers couldn’t draw definite conclusions until they conducted more trials with ED as the target.

In the years that followed, researchers isolated a peptide from Melanotan II that they believed was the primary driver of the erection side effects. This peptide, PT 141, then entered trials to treat erectile dysfunction.

Does PT 141 work for ED?

Several studies support PT 141’s potential as an ED treatment, particularly for men who may have heart or blood pressure conditions that prohibit them from taking specific PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (generic Viagra) or tadalafil (generic Cialis). There is also potential for PT 141 to act in conjunction with PDE5 inhibitors, but this would require extensive study that does not exist at this point.

It’s telling that studies on PT 141 as an ED treatment have slowed since 2005. Its efficacy was apparent, but the window of effectiveness in ED patients (what period of time the treatment would allow men to reliably achieve an erection) could not compete with sildenafil’s average four-hour duration. Combined with a side effect profile that was too significant for most men, it was difficult for the product to be commercially viable. Still, there is a small niche market for the peptide.

Our takeaway

After reviewing the research, we believe that most men should exhaust other avenues of treatment before considering PT 141. The peptide can be dangerous and expensive and is much harder to access than PDE5 inhibitors that you can find from convenient online sources like BlueChew, Hims, and Roman or through your in-person healthcare provider. We recommend BlueChew as your top choice in this category because they provide a one-month free trial – if you’re a suitable candidate for the treatment, there isn’t a more convenient, private, and economical way to try it.

How does PT 141 work?

Technically, PT 141 is a cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin analog. That means that it’s a synthetic version of a substance that your body can create, albeit in sometimes insufficient quantities. PT 141 can activate melanocortin receptors without the tanning effects that were the goal of early Melanotan II trials. That activation has a specific impact on the central nervous system, resulting in reliable erections and improved sexual function.

By acting on the central nervous system instead of the circulatory system, PT 141 could serve as a substitute ED medication for men with heart or blood pressure issues that prevent them from taking PDE5 inhibitors.

PT 141 takes a little longer to work than the typical PDE5 inhibitor, even at high doses. Those higher doses (10-20mg) often fail to produce erections that last as long as a PDE5 inhibitor can provide. Some purveyors of PT 141 will speak of erections lasting several hours, but that research was conducted in healthy males without ED. ED patients rarely saw erections last more than an hour.

Where can you get PT 141?

PT 141 is only available by prescription, though some less scrupulous websites offer it to anyone over 18. It’s worth noting that those sites explicitly state that PT 141 is not intended for human consumption. Such websites say that they intend their products for research purposes only. A glance at their customer reviews shows that individuals purchase and take the peptides themselves, ignoring the site’s disclaimers.

Other sites at least try to provide a safety net and a resource to contact in the event of adverse reactions. They have doctors on staff who will prescribe PT 141 for you to buy it through the site. These are not necessarily reputable companies, however. Other companies in the telehealth space have gained the medical community’s trust. Sites like Lemonaid and Nurx are legitimate medical providers. But they don’t trade in peptides. Providers specializing in ED treatments like BlueChew or Hims are also trustworthy. They don’t deal in peptides either.

Online sources for PT 141 that offer prescription services also bear a significant markup for their nasal spray and injectables. Take a look at the cost per dose of PT 141 compared to sildenafil or tadalafil from BlueChew:

Cost per dose Erection duration
PT 141 injectable 6mg $41.70 41 minutes
PT 141 nasal spray $17.35 26-54 minutes
BlueChew sildenafil 45mg $3.82 4 hours
BlueChew tadalafil 9mg $4.64 Up to 36 hours**

*Providers will often compound nasal sprays based on prescribed strength. Most spray bottles contain eight administrations, which is the recommended maximum for one month. The cost per dose of the nasal spray is based on ⅛ the price of a bottle. **Tadalafil will not create an erection that lasts for 36 hours, but it allows sexual arousal to result in an erection as needed for up to 36 hours.

How do you take PT 141?

Researchers have looked at PT 141 administered as a subcutaneous injection and a nasal spray. The nasal spray is the far more convenient delivery method, and it tends to produce milder side effects, but it requires slightly higher doses than the injections. That makes the nasal spray more expensive per use than the injectable peptide.

The chart below illustrates the potential benefits of PT 141, but it also shows the significant risk of adverse effects. You’ll also notice that it takes 2-3 times the dosage for the nasal spray to be as effective as the subcutaneous injection.

Duration of erection (minutes) Prominent side effects
Subcutaneous placebo 2 None
Subcutaneous 4mg 28 Headache: 36% Nausea: 24% Vomiting: 8%
Subcutaneous 6mg 41 Nausea: 36.4% Headache: 27.3% Vomiting: 9.1%
Intranasal placebo 18 Flushing: 4.2%
Intranasal 7mg 26 Flushing: 16.7% Nausea: 4.2%
Intranasal 20mg 54 Flushing: 16.7% Nausea 16.7%

For this chart, an erection is defined as having at least 60% rigidity as measured by RigiScan.

Is PT 141 safe?

PT 141 studies are not extensive enough to draw definitive conclusions about its safety. Still, the studies that have been conducted point toward significant issues with flushing, nausea, and vomiting.

When you look at the field of research that has gone into PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil and tadalafil, it’s clear that those products have a pronounced research advantage over PT 141. With that much more data, the safety of PDE5 inhibitors is well-established. There are still too many unknowns and too many red flags in PT 141 research to assume it’s safe. Certainly it requires a discussion with your doctor first, which is why PT 141 is available for human consumption only via prescription.

The FDA approved an injectable version of PT 141 for women in 2019. Branded Vylessi, this drug is intended to treat hypoactive sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women. It is not approved for use by men in the treatment of ED.

PT 141 side effects

Side effects from PT 141 were generally more severe in its subcutaneous injection form than its nasal spray. That said, both had rates of adverse reactions that do not bode well for their overall safety. Its injection and nasal spray saw the following side effects with increasing frequency and intensity at higher dosages:

  • Nausea
  • Tastes disturbance
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Feeling hot
  • Somnolence
  • Flushing
  • Back pain
  • Diaphoresis
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle cramps
  • Dark urine
  • Blurred vision
  • Pounding in the ears
  • Yellow eyes and skin

The most concerning side effect was delayed-onset vomiting associated with higher doses of the subcutaneous injection. Study subjects who experienced this adverse effect often vomited 6-15 hours after administration. This indicates a toxicity level that implies more significant danger with long-term use. Vomiting was significantly less common with the nasal spray and only at the highest dose.

Should you take PT 141?

Given the safety concerns, side effect profile, accessibility challenges, and high cost, we don’t consider PT 141 recommendable for the vast majority of men who have trouble achieving an erection. We understand the allure – a “peptide” sounds more natural and innocent than a pharmaceutical drug may sound, though PT 141 is synthetic – but that’s not enough to justify the risks or cost associated with it.

Our recommendation

Instead of opting for a riskier, more expensive, and less effective medication, we recommend starting your ED treatment journey with something proven safe and effective. Sildenafil and tadalafil are among the most effective and well-researched treatments available. And with modern telemedicine, you can receive a prescription from a board-certified physician and have your medication shipped discreetly to your home in a matter of days. No ED treatment route is more private and discreet than this.

Our top recommendation for ED treatment is BlueChew. Having the ability to consume a chewable tablet without water up to 36 hours before sexual activity is undeniably convenient. Because the pills come in individual packets, you can carry one with you on dates or when you travel. But best of all: BlueChew lets you take advantage of a one-month free trial of ED medication (either sildenafil or tadalafil). This is a true value for men who have never tried these medications.

If you’re curious about BlueChew, you can read all about them and their free trial offer exclusive to Innerbody readers in our comprehensive review. You can also learn about other ED treatment options in our complete ED treatment guide.

How we evaluate home health products and services

At Innerbody Research, we customize our evaluation criteria depending on the type and nature of the health-related service or product. For health products like PT 141, we have five areas that we use for our evaluations, including:

Quality: How well does a product serve the customer? Is it effective to a high enough degree that we would recommend it to our loved ones before other options, without hesitation? If not, why not?

User-friendly: How intuitive, user-friendly, and convenient are the product and any associated services?

Value: Are you getting your money’s worth? Are there any hidden costs or charges? Are there discount opportunities?

Safety: Are there risks associated with using a product or service? These might include risks of bodily harm or a breach of privacy.

Customer support: Particularly in situations where ‘one size fits all’ doesn’t make sense, how well can a product or service be tailored to best suit your needs?