Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that prepares the body for sleep

• Melatonin is a hormone that is produced naturally in the brain.
• As darkness comes on in the evening, the level of melatonin in your brain rises.
• About 2 hours after its level rises, you are ready for sleep.
• Looking at computer, TV or mobile phone screens can stop the body making as much melatonin.
• The rise and fall of your melatonin level helps to keep your body in a daily sleep and waking cycle.

You should take melatonin 1-2 hours before you go to bed, after some food

• Make sure that you know your dose. If it is not written on the label, check it with your pharmacist or doctor.
• Take your melatonin 1-2 hours before you go to bed.
• Take your melatonin after food. This can be a small snack before bedtime, like a biscuit or two, if you have your evening meal more than 2 hours before you go to bed.
• Do not break or chew the tablets. This is because they have a special system in them to deliver the medicine into your body slowly, over a few hours. Swallow the tablet whole with at least half a glass of water whilst sitting or standing.
• You should make sure that you do not watch TV or use a computer or mobile phone at least an hour before going to bed as light from these can stop your body from making its own melatonin. 

If you forget to take a dose then just take it as soon as possible before going to bed

What to do if you miss a dose:

• If you remember later during the evening, before you go to bed, take it as soon as possible.
• If you forget to take it by bedtime, just start again on the next evening.
• Do not take a double dose.

What might happen?

• If you forget to take your tablets for a few days, you may get your old symptoms back. This means that you should talk to your doctor about it.
• You do not get discontinuation or withdrawal symptoms if you forget to take melatonin.

Tell your doctor if you take too much, and stay safe at home or with a friend or family member because you will be very sleepy

What to do if you take too much:

• If you have taken more melatonin than it said on the label, you might become very sleepy.
• Stay somewhere safe, with a friend or family member to watch you, while you sleep off the effects.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist as well.
• It should take about 12 hours for your body to deal with the extra doses.
• There have been no cases of harm in overdose with melatonin.
• Do not try to drive or do anything that could be dangerous to yourself or others.

It will start working an hour or so after taking it

• You should see the good effects of melatonin on your sleep from the first time you take it within an hour or so after taking it.
• The effects can last for 4-8 hours or so. 

Many people take melatonin for 3-4 months

You and your doctor should talk about how long you need to take melatonin.

• You should get the effects quickly from the first time you take it.
• The melatonin should help to reset your natural sleep pattern.
• If you take melatonin to help you to sleep, it usually takes 3-4 months to get back to the right pattern of sleep. However, for some people it may take longer.
• To get the best effect you should carry on taking it until your doctor decides with you that it is no longer needed.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist before you take melatonin if you have any of these conditions

You need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following apply to you:

• you have an autoimmune disease like juvenile arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus or type 1 diabetes
• liver or kidney disease
• allergies to melatonin or lactose

Melatonin has some side effects, but they do not happen very often.

The most common side-effects are:

• Headaches - try taking paracetamol or speaking to your pharmacist
• Strange or regular dreams – this might just be you remembering your dreams more and is nothing to worry about
• Feeling sick (nausea) – try taking melatonin with food. This usually wears off after a few days but if not, speak to your doctor
• Feeling dizzy – try not to stand up too quickly and sit or lie down if you start feeling dizzy.

Although this list of side-effects can look scary, some people won’t get any side-effects at all. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you think you are having side-effects from melatonin.

• Please look at the paper leaflet inside your medicine box, or ask a doctor or pharmacist, if you want to know if you are getting a side-effect from your medicine.
• If you do get a side-effect, please think about reporting it to the Yellow Card scheme [link]
• If you want to stop taking melatonin, speak to your doctor to discuss the options available to you.

Melatonin can interact with some other medicines and drugs

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take:

• Fluvoxamine, imipramine, and other antidepressants
• Psoralens (used for skin conditions like psoriasis)
• Cimetidine (for stomach acid and ulcers)
• Quinolones and rifampicin (antibiotics)
• Oral contraceptives
• Carbamazepine (for epilepsy and some mental health conditions)
• Medicines for controlling high or low blood pressure
• Medicines for a blocked nose
• Medicines used to treat drug addiction (like methadone)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (like ibuprofen and diclofenac)
• Benzodiazepines (like diazepam and lorazepam)
• ‘Z medicines’ used for sleep (like zopiclone and zolpidem)
• Thioridazine (for schizophrenia)

If you have any further questions about this you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

• Tell the pharmacist you are taking melatonin if you buy medicines (including things you put on your skin) for common illnesses.
• This is important for medicines for a blocked nose and medicines for muscle and period pain like ibuprofen.

This does not mean that everyone has problems taking melatonin with any of the medicines listed above - just take the advice of your doctor.