Setmelanotide

What people use it for

• Obesity caused by POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency (approved use)
• Obesity and hunger in Bardet-Biedl syndrome (approved use)

What Setmelanotide does in the body

Activates the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in the brain, a key switch in the pathway that controls hunger and energy use. In certain genetic conditions this pathway is broken upstream, and setmelanotide restores the signal.

Strength of evidence

Strong for the approved rare conditions (phase 3 trials); not studied as a general weight-loss drug.

Look up the evidence

• Reviews on PubMed: Summaries of the published research
• Clinical trials on PubMed: Published studies in people
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Registered trials, past and ongoing
• Prescribing information (DailyMed, US): Official US label
• Patient leaflets (emc, UK): Official UK product information

Live searches of official databases. New to the terms? See the glossary.

Reported side effects & risks

• Darkening of the skin and moles
• Injection-site reactions, nausea
• Spontaneous erections
• Depression and suicidal thoughts (monitoring advised)

Who should avoid it or take extra care

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• History of depression or suicidal thoughts (needs monitoring)
• Obesity without one of the approved genetic diagnoses

Not a complete list. Check with a doctor or pharmacist about your own health and medicines.

Regulatory status

Approved as Imcivree in the US, UK and EU for specific genetic obesity disorders, confirmed by genetic testing or diagnosis.

How it's taken

Route: Injection under the skin, once daily

How long it lasts (half-life): About 11 hours