melatonin

Melatonin has been used for short-term treatment of trouble sleeping (insomnia) due to sleep cycle disorders and time changes ("jet lag"). This product may help you fall asleep faster and decrease the number of times you awaken during the night. It may also help you sleep for a longer time. Melatonin is a substance that your body normally makes. It is thought to help your body's regular daily cycle, hormone production, and sleep patterns. Some herbal/diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand you use. The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Not applicable.

This product is taken by mouth with or without food, usually 2 to 4 hours before bedtime or as directed by the package label. Follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. If you are taking the extended-release tablets, do not crush or chew them. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split extended-release tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing. If you are using a liquid form, carefully measure your dose using a medication-measuring device or spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. This medication may start to work within 30 minutes. If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

If you are taking this product under your doctor's direction, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin, heparin), blood pressure medications (especially nifedipine), products that contain caffeine (including coffee, tea, some sodas), drugs that may affect your immune system (e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporine, prednisone), fluvoxamine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), other medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that may cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Before taking melatonin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other ingredients in this product; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: diabetes, high blood pressure, immune system disorder, liver disease, mental/mood disorder (e.g., depression), seizure disorder (e.g., epilepsy). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Liquid forms of this product may contain sugar, alcohol, or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely. Caution is advised when using this product in children due to a possible risk of changes in sexual development. Consult the doctor for details. This product is not recommended for use in women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy. It may have an effect on the release of eggs (ovulation). Consult your doctor for details. It is not known whether this product passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Refer to storage information printed on the package. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines and herbal products away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Headache, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or abdominal cramps may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This product may also make you drowsy or less alert during the day. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have daytime drowsiness. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, confusion). A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.