melatonin
Melatonin is a supplement that's taken to help with sleep problems due to conditions like insomnia or jet lag. It's available over-the-counter and comes in many different formulations, including oral pills and sprays, skin patches, and topical creams. Various melatonin products have different instructions and age recommendations, so speak with your provider or pharmacist to check if it's safe for children. Melatonin is pretty well tolerated, but possible side effects include daytime sleepiness, headaches, and nausea.
What is Melatonin?
What is Melatonin used for?
How Melatonin works
Melatonin is a supplement. It's a synthetic (man-made) version of a naturally occurring hormone made by your brain. Your body makes more melatonin when it's dark, and this tells your body it's time to sleep. If you don't have enough melatonin, you might have trouble sleeping. Taking melatonin might help some people fall asleep faster and stay on a regular sleep schedule.
Drug facts
Side effects of Melatonin
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Drowsiness
- Daytime sleepiness
Less Common Side Effects
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Nightmares
- Bedwetting (in children only)
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The following Melatonin side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Bedwetting in children
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness the day after use
- Headache
- Nausea
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Pros and cons of Melatonin
Pros
- Generally well tolerated with very few side effects
- Usually not habit-forming like some other sleep aids
- Available over the counter (OTC) in many different dosage forms and strengths
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Might not contain the correct amount of active ingredient since it's not as regulated by the FDA
- Can cause daytime drowsiness in older adults
- Unknown whether it's safe for long-term use
- Shouldn't be used as a first-choice option to treat insomnia
Pharmacist tips for Melatonin
- Melatonin is a supplement, not a medication. FDA regulations for supplements are less strict, so companies don't have to prove safety and efficacy to the same degree as prescription or OTC medications. Talk to your provider before using melatonin or any new product.
- Melatonin comes in many different dosage forms and strengths. Choose a reputable product by making sure there is a USP-verified label on the bottle.
- Melatonin can interact with certain medications like oral contraceptives. Ask your pharmacist about medication interactions before you start taking melatonin.
- Melatonin isn't recommended for people with dementia, and it can lead to more side effects in older adults, like daytime sleepiness. Talk to your provider before taking melatonin to avoid any potential side effects.
- Melatonin causes drowsiness and sleepiness. Don't drive, operate machinery, or participate in activities that require alertness while taking this product until you know how it affects you.
Common questions about Melatonin
If you're an adult, start with a low dose (e.g., 1 to 2 mg by mouth) 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. If you're still struggling to sleep, you can raise your dose. If you find yourself feeling groggy the next morning, try lowering your dose. Luckily most people don't become addicted to Melatonin. But you should contact your provider if you're still having trouble sleeping after using it for 6 months. This might mean that you have another health condition that's causing your insomnia that your provider should check.
Melatonin can last for 5 to 10 hours. This is how long it takes for melatonin to clear from your body. Some tips to avoid having a residual groggy feeling the next morning include taking the lowest possible dose to help you sleep, and not waiting too late in the night to take your dose.
It's not clear how much Melatonin is too much, because different people need different doses to help them sleep. To be on the safe side, start with a low dose (e.g., 1 to 2 mg) and go up slowly over time to find the dose that works best for you.
There's been little research on taking Melatonin while pregnant, so it might not be safe for your unborn or nursing baby. Talk to your provider before taking Melatonin if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Yes, it's possible to overdose on Melatonin. Look out for side effects from taking too much of it, like headache, nausea, next-day drowsiness, dizziness, vivid dreams, irritability, and diarrhea. If you experience these, stop taking Melatonin and talk with your provider who can help guide your dosing.
Melatonin might be safe for certain children and teenagers, but you should speak to your child's healthcare provider before giving them any kind of sleep medication. It's possible for your child to take too much Melatonin, which can be dangerous. One study showed cases of Melatonin overdose have gone up every year over the past 10 years. And children 5 years old and younger are at the highest risk for being hospitalized due to a Melatonin overdose.
It can take a few hours for the full effects of Melatonin to kick in. For this reason, take your dose 1 to 2 hours before bedtime.
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Risks and warnings for Melatonin
Melatonin can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Worsening of certain medical conditions
- Risk factors: Bleeding disorder | Low blood pressure | Seizure conditions | Depression
Melatonin can make certain medical conditions worse. These medical conditions can include bleeding conditions, low blood pressure, seizure conditions, and depression. Talk to your provider if you have any medical conditions before starting melatonin.
Overdose in children
- Risk factors: Easy access to melatonin inside the home
Intentional or accidental overdose with melatonin is a possibility. This can be serious and result in hospitalization. Be sure your child doesn't have access to this medication without adult supervision.
Interactions with other medications
- Risk factors: Taking multiple medications
Melatonin can interact with many medications, including oral contraceptives, blood pressure and diabetes medications, and transplant medications. Be sure you have a full list of all the medications you take to show your provider or pharmacist. This way, they can check for any potential interactions between your medications and melatonin.
Melatonin dosage
Typical dosage for Melatonin
Your dose will vary based on your age and how you respond to the product.
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Adults: The typical dose is up to 8 mg by mouth a day for up to 6 months.
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Children: The typical dose is up to 3 mg by mouth a day for up to 3 months.
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How much does Melatonin cost?
$3.10
Melatonin contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Melatonin will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently pregnant
- Currently breastfeeding
- Autoimmune conditions
What are alternatives to Melatonin?
