The use of melatonin in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts
accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal/health supplements,
consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with
a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and
coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
Melatonin is also known as MEL. Melatonin is naturally produced in the body in response
to the perception of light.
Melatonin has been used to ease insomnia, combat jet lag, protect cells from free-radical
damage, boost the immune system, prevent cancer, and extend life.
Melatonin has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All
potential risks and/or advantages of melatonin may not be known. Additionally, there are no
regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances
where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or
other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize
the risk of contamination.
Melatonin may also have uses other than those listed in this product guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking melatonin?
Talk to your doctor before taking melatonin if you have any other medical conditions,
allergies, or if you take other medicines or herbal/health supplements. Melatonin may not be
recommended in some situations.
Do not
take melatonin without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether melatonin will harm an unborn
baby.
Do not
take melatonin without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether melatonin will harm a nursing infant.
There is no information available regarding the use of melatonin by children. Do not
give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
How should I take melatonin?
The use of melatonin in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts
accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal/health supplements,
consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with
a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and
coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
If you choose to take melatonin, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your
doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Melatonin is available in a tablet formulation. Other formulations may also be available.
The use of melatonin derived from animal pineal tissue may carry the risk of
contamination or the means of transmitting viral material. The synthetic form of melatonin does
not carry this risk.
Store melatonin as directed on the package. In general, melatonin should be protected
from light and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of melatonin?
No information is available regarding a missed dose of melatonin. Consult your doctor,
pharmacist, or health care provider if you require further information.
Where can I get more information about melatonin?
Your pharmacist has information about melatonin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of melatonin?
Although uncommon, allergic reactions to melatonin have been reported. Stop taking
melatonin and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious
allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips,
tongue, or face; or hives.
Other less serious side effects have also been reported. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
if you experience
headache;
drowsiness; or
stomach upset.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about melatonin?
The use of melatonin derived from animal pineal tissue may carry the risk of
contamination or the means of transmitting viral material. The synthetic form of melatonin does
not carry this risk.
Melatonin has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All
potential risks and/or advantages of melatonin may not be known. Additionally, there are no
regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances
where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or
other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize
the risk of contamination.
What should I avoid while taking melatonin?
There are no known restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking melatonin,
unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.
What other drugs will affect melatonin?
No drugs have been reported to interact with melatonin. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist,
or health care provider before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or other
herbal/health supplements.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009