What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a natural hormone the brain produces as a response to the darkness at night. It is often categorized as the hormone that helps people to fall asleep. The melatonin production spikes up as soon as you relax in the dark, leading to proper sleep in time. Also, melatonin helps keep the circadian rhythm’s timing in your body and maintains a healthy sleep cycle. The melatonin supplements leave you with several health benefits when you face sleep deprivation due to situations like jet lag, sleep disorders in children, and anxiety before a medical procedure.
What is the Dosage of Melatonin?
The standard dosage of Melatonin for adults is 8mg daily for 6 months. Children can take up to 3mg by mouth for a maximum of 3 months. You can start with a 2 mg dosage if you are just beginning with Melatonin and then you can increase the dosage according to your need. You can take 2-3 tablets at least 30 minutes before the bedtime. It takes 1-2 hours for the Melatonin supplement to kick in. So, take the medicine accordingly. Be sure that the dosage does not cross the limit of 10mg (5 tablets) in a day as that will be considered an overdose.
There are two types of Melatonin supplements available in the market, one is slow-release tabs and one is fast-release. The dosage may vary depending on a lot of factors like the age of the patients, the health condition, and the improvement rate of the medicine. Also, the type of tablet you are taking contributes to the fact that how much you can take. For dosage adjustment or withdrawal, it is always a better option to consult with your healthcare provider first.
How Should Melatonin Be Taken?
Although there is no specific rule for Melatonin to have before or after food. However, it is best to take the medicine after a meal or some snacks. You don’t need water to swallow the medicine. It is recommended to keep the slow-release Melatonin tablet in your cheek or under your tongue for it to get absorbed gradually.
How Long Can You Take Melatonin for Sleep?
It depends on the dosage you are taking and the improvement you are experiencing. If you are facing a short-term sleep problem, you can take it for up to 13 weeks. If you are having issues even after 13 weeks or need to take the medicine for a longer period in a small dose, you can consult with your healthcare provider about it. In case you are planning to take Melatonin for sleep issues due to jet lag, you can take the medicine for 5 days and then stop it after your wake/sleep cycle is restored.
Can Melatonin Interact with Other Drugs?
Some possible drug interactions can happen if you combine other drugs with Melatonin.
- Melatonin intake needs to be avoided when you are on immunosuppressants, the medicines responsible for decreasing the melatonin production in the body when required.
- Melatonin decreases the blood pressure level. So, if you are already taking medicine for your diabetes and further take Melatonin with it, it may lead the blood pressure to lower excessively.
- Don’t combine Melatonin with birth control pills as it may increase the effectiveness as well as side effects of Melatonin supplements.
- Avoid taking Fluvoxamine with Melatonin as it also increases Melatonin production too much, leading you to experience more side effects.
- Avoid combining sedative medicines or CNS depressants as it will increase the sleepiness you are feeling and can also lead to serious breathing issues.
Storage
Keep the Melatonin supplement out of reach of children. Store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight exposure. Don’t store it at a temperature below 25C.
Overdose
Although Melatonin is not a toxic medicine that can harm you. However, an overdose of Melatonin is never recommended. When taken in more than the recommended dosage, it can lead to some side effects like
- Drowsiness
- Nightmare
- Hypertension
- Hypothermia
- Tachycardia
- Confusion
Also, the overdose of the medicine reverses the actual impact of the medicine. Rather than having a sound sleep, you will have to spend a sleepless night.
Missed dose
Usually, Melatonin is recommended to be taken before bedtime. In case you forget to take the medicine before bedtime, you can skip the medicine for that night and take it on the next day before bedtime. If you are taking divided dosages, make sure you don’t take two back-to-back dosages to compensate for the missed dose. Simply, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the allotted time.
What are the Side Effects of Melatonin?
Melatonin is considered a safe medicine when taken in the right and moderate amounts. You can experience some side effects including:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Headache
Other than these side effects, some other rare side effects one can experience are usually temporary including depression, mild anxiety, irritability, abdominal cramps, confusion, disorientation, and reduced alertness. In case, you experience any of these side effects too much, you can consult your healthcare provider about it as soon as possible.
As one of the side effects of the medicine is drowsiness, and that too in the daytime, it is safe to avoid working with heavy machinery or driving for at least five hours after you have taken the medicine.
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