Melatonin

Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps control your sleep. You can take an artificial medicated melatonin to help with certain sleep problems such as jet lag. While it usually only takes a few days for jet lag symptoms to resolve naturally, melatonin helps you body adjust quickly and easily.

Melatonin is to be taken ONCE a day at your bedtime in a new time zone, and should be taken for up to FIVE days, and no longer. It is advised that you should not take melatonin before 8pm, or after 4am.

You should not take more than 16 courses in a year.

As with all medications, melatonin can cause side effects, though not everyone will get them.

Common Side Effects

• Headache
• Drowsiness

Uncommon Side Effects

• Irritability, nervousness, restlessness, abnormal dreams
• Dizziness
• High blood pressure
• Abdominal pain, indigestion
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Itching, rash, dry skin
• Feeling unwell
• Weight increase

If you experience chest pain, fainting, blood in your urine, blurred vision, or an allergic reaction you must contact your doctor immediately.

Melatonin is suitable for adults over 18 years old. It is not recommended for children or teenagers, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Avoid melatonin if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients.

You should not take melatonin if you suffer from epilepsy, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, or an autoimmune disease.

Always declare ALL medication you are taking during a consultation as melatonin may interact with certain medications such as antidepressants, antibiotics, sleeping tablets, hormone treatments, and blood thinners such as Warfarin. Medications may increase or decrease the effectiveness of melatonin or cause unwanted side effects.

If you are currently taking a contraceptive that contains an oestrogen component, this can increase the effects and possible side effects of melatonin. The oestrogen component of HRT can also increase the effects and possible side effects of melatonin.

Smokers should note that smoking may stop melatonin from working well.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or planning to have a baby then melatonin tablets are not recommended as it can pose risk to the foetus. This applies to men who are trying for a baby also. Use the barrier method for contraception during treatment and always speak to a healthcare professional before using melatonin.

No. You should not drink alcohol while taking medication. Mixing alcohol and melatonin can make you sleep too deeply, which may affect your breathing and make it difficult to wake up.

No. Melatonin can cause drowsiness, so you should not drive or use heavy machinery for at least 8 hours after taking it.

Melatonin 3 mg film-coated tablets – Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) – (emc) | 10405

Melatonin: a hormone used for sleep problems – NHS