Melatonin
About
Melatonin is a hormone that helps control sleep patterns. Melatonin is used to treat jet lag and insomnia (sleep disorders). Jet lag is a sleep disorder that occurs in people who travel across multiple time zones. Insomnia is a sleep disorder which causes trouble falling and/or staying asleep.
Melatonin contains ‘Melatonin’ that synchronises the body’s biological day-and-night rhythm. Melatonin acts on the receptors in the body, thereby controlling the circadian rhythm and increasing the propensity to sleep.
You are advised to take Melatonin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, Melatonin may cause common side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and nausea. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant. Do not take Melatonin if you are breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk. Do not drive or operate machinery as Melatonin may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid consuming alcohol with Melatonin as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Melatonin
Medicinal Benefits
Melatonin is a hormone that helps control sleep patterns. Melatonin is used to treat jet lag and insomnia (sleep disorders) in people over 55 years. Melatonin acts on the receptors in the body, thereby controlling the circadian rhythm and increasing the propensity to sleep. Melatonin adds to the body’s natural supply of the hormone, helps you get to sleep, and improves sleep quality.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Melatonin
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Nausea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Melatonin if you are allergic to any of its contents. Inform your doctor if you have epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, or impaired liver or kidney function. Talk to your doctor before taking Melatonin if you are pregnant. Do not take Melatonin if you are breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk. Avoid consuming alcohol with Melatonin as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Melatonin may interact with an anti-depressant (fluvoxamine), a drug used to treat psoriasis (psoralens), an antacid (cimetidine), a hormone (estrogen), an antibiotic (rifampicin), anti-convulsant (carbamazepine), hypnotics (midazolam, temazepam, zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone), and blood thinner (warfarin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption while taking Melatonin.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have depression, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, glaucoma, or impaired liver or kidney function.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Melatonin as it may cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant, inform your doctor before taking Melatonin; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid taking Melatonin if you are breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Driving
unsafeMelatonin causes dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or operate machinery after taking this medicine.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns before taking Melatonin.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns before taking Melatonin.
Children
cautionPlease consult your doctor. Your doctor may decide the dose and duration based on the child's age, body weight and condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try sticking to a sleep schedule. Keep your bedtime and waketime consistent.
- Practise yoga or meditation as it helps in relieving stress.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Avoid doing a strenuous activity before bedtime.
- Try relaxation therapy. Read a book or listen to soothing music.
- Do not consume caffeinated or carbonated products.
- Avoid taking large meals and beverages before bedtime.
- Exercise moderately as it can help in relieving stress.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Insomnia: Insomnia is a sleep disorder which causes trouble falling and/or staying asleep. The causes of insomnia are poor sleeping habits, anxiety, depression, illness, lack of exercise, or certain medications. Symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling and/or staying asleep and not feeling well-rested due to low sleep quality.
Jet lag: Jet lag is a sleep disorder that occurs in people who travel across multiple time zones. Jet lag occurs when the circadian rhythm (the body’s natural clock) is disrupted due to travelling between different time zones. It is a temporary condition that affects energy and the state of alertness. Jet lag causes sleep disturbances, fatigue, daytime tiredness, irritability, mild mental impairment, and digestive system disturbances experienced after flying.
FAQs
Melatonin acts on the receptors in the body, thereby controlling the circadian rhythm and increasing the propensity to sleep. Melatonin adds to the body’s natural supply of the melatonin hormone, helps you get to sleep, and improves sleep quality.
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland located in the brain that synchronises the body’s biological day-and-night rhythm. The body produces melatonin just after it gets dark, peaking in the early hours of the morning. It helps in controlling the sleep cycle.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Melatonin. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva and prevent drying of the mouth.
Please consult your doctor before taking Melatonin along with contraceptives or hormone replacement preparations containing oestrogen, as it might increase the effect of Melatonin.
Avoid drinking caffeinated products such as coffee, cola or energy drinks along with Melatonin as it has the opposite effect and might alter the working of Melatonin. Avoiding smoking as the components of tobacco might increase the breakdown of Melatonin in the liver.
Please consult your doctor before taking Melatonin if you have diabetes, as it may cause high blood glucose levels. Regularly monitor blood sugar levels while taking Melatonin to avoid unpleasant events.
