Melanotan II: Tanning injections, nasal sprays harmful to health Melanotan What It Is and Its Relation to Skin Cancer Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration is urging consumers to not use tanning products containing a synthetic peptide called 'Melanotan'. The drug can cause serious side affects, such a kidney failure, chest pains, acne, No, you don't need the 'Barbie drug' to tan, whatever TikTok says. Here's why melanotan II is so risky Lets look at sunless tanning, ., Firstly theres the injections and nasal sprays which typically have an active ingredient called melanotan. This is a synthetic compound that stimulates the Melanotan injections are sold illegally and possibly unsafe Cancer Research UK Cancer News