Titus Thorne
Titus ThorneCurious about how PT-141 and Cialis interact with each other?
Inside, researchers will find everything they must know about these potent treatments.
PT-141 is commonly known as bremelanotide, and has been approved under that name by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a treatment of libido issues in premenopausal women.
Yet researchers are now studying the peptide as a potential treatment of sexual dysfunction in men, including conditions like erectile dysfunction and lack of sexual desire.
On the other hand, tadalafil (Cialis) is one of the most popular erectile dysfunction medications on the market, and has been FDA approved since 2003.
Researchers investigating male sexual disorders might want to learn more about:
- How both PT-141 and Cialis influence the body?
- Is PT-141 a safer option than Cialis?
- Is it safe to administer PT-141 and Cialis concurrently?
Read on for answers to these questions, as well as whether in injectable form or as a nasal spray works better for you.
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What is PT-141?
PT-141 is a peptide analog of α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an endogenous melanotropin known for its roles in stimulating melanogenesis and modulating sexual activity [1].
The peptide is known to have high affinity at the melanocortin 3 and 4 receptors (MC3-R and MC4-R), which are widely expressed in the brain and associated with aphrodisiac effects.
PT-141 thus works differently from approved erectile dysfunctions medications like Cialis, which work by stimulating blood flow to the penis via vasodilation. On the contrary, PT-141 sends signals directly to the neuronal connections responsible for arousal in both men and women.
The peptide was first developed by Palatin Technologies, and in the United States is today prescribed under the trade name Vyleesi, an injection-based treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women [2, 3].
Benefits of PT-141
While PT-141 has been approved to treat HSDD in premenopausal women, research has shown that this peptide can provide benefits in male subjects who suffer from conditions like erectile dysfunction and low libido.
PT-141 as an Alternative to PDE5 Inhibiting Treatments
In a PT-141 study conducted back in 2004, researchers sought to determine the effects of this peptide in ED patients who were unable to achieve erections suitable for vaginal penetration despite taking the PDE5 inhibitor Viagra (sildenafil). The researchers found a statistically significant erectile response in these patients at PT-141 doses of 4mg and 6mg. The authors concluded that PT-141 was safe and well-tolerated and proposed the peptide as an ED treatment with a “potentially broad patient base” [4].
Two years later in 2006, Iranian researchers similarly conducted a study on 342 men with ED who did not respond to sildenafil. The patients were instructed to intranasally self-administer PT-141 doses of 10mg each, 45 minutes to two hours before sexual stimulation. The patients who received PT-141 experienced “significantly greater intercourse satisfaction” compared to placebo [5].
PT-141 May Positively Impact Mood and Well-being
Melanocortin peptides have been shown to facilitate the neurotransmission of dopamine. A two-week study conducted on rodents showed changes in dopamine D(1)-like receptor binding in various sections of the rodents’ brains as a result of intracerebroventricular infusion of melanotan 2, from which PT-141 was originally developed [6].
The authors suggested that changes in dopaminergic neurons can be achieved by chronic infusion of a melanocortin receptor agonist, and that a greater sense of well-being can result from the regulatory activity of melanocortin peptides such as PT-141 on central dopamine neurons [6].
PT-141 Induces Sexual Desire in Female Subjects With Low Libido
As we mentioned, PT-141 (bremelanotide) is already approved to treat libido issues in premenopausal women. A 52-week trial on the safety and efficacy of bremelanotide, involving 856 premenopausal women with HSDD, has demonstrated that PT-141 treatment led to “sustained improvements in hypoactive sexual desire disorder symptoms” in the female patients [7].
What is Cialis?
Cialis is a brand name for the prescription drug tadalafil, a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor used to treat men with mild to severe erectile dysfunction (ED), including those with diabetes mellitus. It works by selectively inhibiting cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which is found in all vascular tissue [8, 9].
It is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is age-related of the prostate gland that can cause problems with urination. Tadalafil is also used as a long-term treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the US, Canada, and Japan [9].
Cialis is typically self-administered orally as a tablet at varying strengths of 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, or 20mg. Its effects may last up to 36 hours [10].
While generally regarded as safe, Cialis has been shown to produce mild to moderate adverse effects, with the most commonly reported being headache, dyspepsia, back pain, and myalgia [8, 10, 11].
In a safety study involving 400+ men, both healthy and men with ED, researchers investigated the potential of tadalafil to affect spermatogenesis or reproductive hormones. The researchers found that daily administration of tadalafil at doses of 10mg and 20mg over six months did not have any effect on spermatogenesis or reproductive hormones in the men [11].
Benefits of Cialis
In addition to its use as an erectile dysfunction treatment, Cialis may produce a number of other benefits in men, which we outline below.
Cialis and Prostate Health
It is well-established in the literature that Cilalis (tadalafil) is effective in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or age-associated enlargement of the prostate gland. In cases of lower urinary tract symptoms or enlarged prostate, tadalafil’s action as a PDE5 inhibitor and resultant changes in NO/cGMP signaling, has the effect of relaxing prostatic smooth muscle and thus mitigating urethral pressure. Daily administration of a dose of 5mg of Cialis yields statistically significant improvements in both BPH and ED symptoms in men suffering from either both conditions [12, 13].
Cialis Increases Vascularity and Blood Flow
In a four-week study back in 2006, Italian researchers sought to investigate whether Cialis could improve endothelium-dependent vasodilatation of cavernous arteries in ED patients, and whether this would be borne out in endothelial function markers. The researchers found that 20mg of tadalafil administered on alternate days produced an increase in peak systolic velocity (PSV) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in the men, with improvements being maintained from two weeks after discontinuation [14].
Cialis Improves the Testosterone to Estrogen Ratio
In another early Italian study, researchers sought to determine whether tadalafil could cause positive long-term changes in the sex hormones of ED patients, due to their resumption of sexual activity thanks to tadalafil. In the study, 20 patients received tadalafil 10-20 mg on demand for 12 months. They ultimately showed sustained improvement in sexual health due to an increased testosterone to estrogen ratio, mainly thanks to estrogen reduction.
The researchers surmised that tadalafil achieved this effect by preventing the enzyme aromatase from converting testosterone to estrogen, thus helping patients attain a more optimized testosterone to estrogen ratio [15].
Cialis Can Improve Relationship Satisfaction
A 12-month study in 1900 erectile dysfunction patients showed that Cialis could improve the relationships of couples. Prior to the men being given Cialis, 17% of the couples had reported relationship problems. Following 12 months of Cialis administration, only 4% of participants reported relationship problems. This study indicated that erectile dysfunction is a cause of relationship problems, and that introducing Cialis can overcome ED and thus improve relationship satisfaction [16].
PT-141 and Cialis | Can They Be Taken Together?
Since PT-141 and PDE5 inhibitors like Cialis can potentially boost male libido and mood, researchers may be interested in co-administering these compounds to study their combined effects.
However, there are no studies that have determined the effects of PT-141 specifically being coadministered with Cialis.
Yet there is research on PT-141 being co-administered with Viagra, another PDE5 inhibitor that works similarly to Cialis. While the two have different pharmacokinetics profiles, experts state that tadalafil is “not really distinguishable from sildenafil in terms of efficacy and side effects” [17].
In a study conducted on nineteen male patients with erectile dysfunction, researchers directed the volunteers to self-administer both Viagra 25mg and PT-141 7.5mg intranasally. The researchers found that co-administration of PT-141 and sildenafil produced a more profound erectile response than administering sildenafil alone. Importantly, the coadministration of the two compounds was safe and well-tolerated and did not result in any new adverse events [18].
This study opens up the door to the co-administration of Cialis and PT-141, which may yield a similar outcome.
PT-141 vs. Cialis
PT-141 and Cialis have both been noted for their effects on alleviating symptoms of erectile dysfunction. However, the two have different mechanisms of action, methods of administration, and contraindications:
- Cialis inhibits the enzyme phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), which causes decomposition of cGMP, thus regulating the circulation of blood to the penis. On the other hand, PT-141 binds primarily to the melanocortin receptors MC3R and MC4R, which regulate motivation for sex and sexual arousal [19].
- In simple terms, PT-141 acts via the central nervous system to incite arousal, while Cialis can only function to deliver a stronger erection if arousal is already present.
- Cialis is typically self-administered in capsule form, while PT-141 may either be injected subcutaneously or administered intranasally.
- Cialis should not be administered alongside nitrate drugs for chest pain or heart problems, like nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate. It should not be taken with alcohol. On the other hand, PT-141 is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension or known cardiovascular disease [20, 21].
Where to Buy PT-141 Online | 2023 Guide
Licensed researchers and laboratory professionals may purchase PT-141 online. While there are a number of peptide vendors to choose from, not all are created equally.
For example, some vendors take peptide quality very seriously and submit all of their products to a third-party laboratory for quality and purity testing. Others, however, do not take these measures, and instead send out peptides of dubious quality.
At Peptides.org, we’re insiders of the research peptides community, and know exactly which vendors to buy from, and which to avoid.
In our experience, Peptide Sciences is the best source of injectable PT-141 online. Here are just a few reasons why the stand out:
- Independent Lab Testing: The company sends each batch of PT-141 to an independent laboratory for quality and purity testing via methods of mass spectrometry (MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
- Competitive Pricing: Licensed researchers may purchase >99% purity PT-141 at $49.50 per 10mg vial, with discounts available for bulk purchases. Based on most PT-141 research protocols, this works out to less than $10 per injection.
- USA-Made Peptides: Peptide Sciences partners WHO/GMP and ISO 9001:2008 approved manufacturers, thus ensuring that all of their research chemicals are produced according to industry best practices.
- Fast Shipping: While international orders usually arrive within seven business days, domestic orders just two to three business days to get to your doorstep. What’s more, domestic orders over $200 qualify for free shipping.
- Customer Care: Peptide Sciences’ professional customer care team is available to answer any inquiry by email.
Researchers in search of high-quality PT-141 are well-advised to check out Peptide Sciences, a trust leader within the research peptides community.
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Nasal Spray vs. Injectable PT-141
By now you are likely aware that PT-141 peptide may be administered either via subcutaneous injection or as a nasal spray.
Some researchers may prefer a PT-141 spray due its ease of administration and portability, since a PT-141 in spray form is already reconstituted and does not need to be prepared for injection. Most PT-141 nasal spray formulas need not even be refrigerated, unlike injectable PT-141.
A PT-141 nasal spray may also produce a slightly faster response in the patient, compared to subcutaneous administration. However, any discrepancy is likely to be minimal, seeing as both the Vyleesi manufacturer of the injectable formulation and research studies conducted using PT-141 nasal sprays recommend administering PT-141 45 minutes prior to sexual intercourse [5, 21].
The gold standard form of PT-141 administration remains subcutaneous administration. However, studies have shown that a research-grade nasal spray may be equally as effective.
Researchers who may benefit from the convenience of a PT-141 nasal spray should visit Pure Rawz.
Pure Rawz’ top-notch Arouse spray contains 5mg PT-141 and 5mg Oxytocin, which in animal studies has also been shown to induce on-demand erections [22].
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Bacteriostatic Water for Injection
There is no getting around the need for certain lab supplies when handling PT-141 and all other research peptides. To safely and correctly administer peptides, a researcher must be equipped with a standard set of essential items.
What should be in your toolkit? Required materials include alcohol swabs, sterile needles, and bacteriostatic water, among others.
Some researchers spend hours shopping online to gather their complete toolkits. This can be a major inconvenience that may delay or inhibit research activities.
If you have encountered this roadblock, your worries will soon be over! To solve this problem, the Peptides.org team reviewed top online suppliers to reveal one top source that has it all.
Getting fully equipped for proper research is a breeze when you order a curated supply kit from our favorite site. Satisfied clients avoid the headache of shopping far and wide for all required materials with one of the two sets available from BacteriostaticWater.org.
Enjoy the essentials in the starter research kit, which includes:
- Bacteriostatic Water (30mL) – 3x
- Insulin Syringes (0.5 cc/mL x 29g x ½) – 100x
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- Large Needles + Syringes Combo (3cc x 21g x 1) – 10x
Or get fully stocked with the items in the premium research kit:
- Bacteriostatic Water (30mL) – 5x
- Insulin Syringes (0.5 cc/mL x 29g x ½) – 200x
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- Large Needles + Syringes Combo (3cc x 21g x 1) – 20x
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Cialis and PT-141 | Verdict
PT-141 and Cialis may both be used to address male sexual dysfunction, yet these two compounds have different methods of action and administration.
While Cialis has been approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction, among other conditions, PT-141 still only has FDA approval to treat low libido in premenopausal women.
However, there is extensive literature that illustrates the benefits that PT-141 may offer to men, most notably to those with erectile dysfunction who do not respond to Viagra, which like Cialis is a PDE5 inhibitor.
Researchers interested in exploring this massive upside of PT-141 should visit Peptide Sciences for injectable PT-141 or Pure Rawz for a specialty PT-141/Oxytocin nasal spray.