About setmelanotide
Melanocortin-4 receptor agonist
Used for
- Long-term weight management in certain genetic obesity disorders: POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency; Bardet–Biedl syndrome; acquired hypothalamic obesity.
Usual adult dose
Usually 2 mg injected under the skin daily, adjusted gradually; some adults use 3 mg daily.
Usual dose in children
Usually starts at 0.5–1 mg under the skin daily, increasing gradually by age and tolerability; some children use up to 3 mg daily.
Common side effects
- Skin darkening or new dark spots
- Injection-site reactions
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Headache or sexual arousal effects
Important warnings
- May cause skin darkening and dark spots; examine skin changes for signs of melanoma.
- Monitor for depression or suicidal thoughts.
- May cause spontaneous erections; erections lasting over four hours require urgent care.
- Not indicated for obesity unrelated to its approved conditions.
Pregnancy
Weight loss offers no benefit during pregnancy and may harm the fetus; treatment is generally stopped if pregnancy occurs.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate data on presence in human milk or effects on infants; weigh benefits and risks.
Interactions
- No established clinically significant drug interactions are known.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.