Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs Melatonin Safe?Regulation ConcernsSide EffectsMelatonin DependencyDrug InteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is Melatonin Safe?
Regulation Concerns
Side Effects
Melatonin Dependency
Drug Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Melatoninis safe for many adults.The brain produces this natural hormone, which is also available as a supplement to help individuals sleep. However, there is a lack of research on melatonin safety in certain groups of people, such as babies and children.
This article provides an overview of the safety of melatonin, including how it affects different age groups and its possible side effects.
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For most healthy adults, it is safe to use melatonin as a sleep aid for about one to two months.
For Infants
There is a lack of research on how melatonin affects infants. Research shows that melatonin may be beneficial for infants in oxidative stress (an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body and antioxidant levels become low).
When considering melatonin for an infant, it is critical to work with your child’s healthcare provider. The first step is to initiate a healthysleep scheduleand routine before trying a sleep aid.
It’s important to remember that infants are still learning how to sleep on aregular schedule. Infants need about 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day.
Melatonin accounted for 4.9% of all pediatric ingestions reported to poison control in 2021, up from 0.6% in 2012.
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For Babies and Children
When using melatonin for a child, always keep the supplement out of reach and locked away. Research shows that melatonin chewable tablets may contain one half to more than four times the amount of melatonin listed on the label.
The long-term effects and risks of melatonin use in children are not known. Because melatonin is a hormone, regular use over time may affect a child’s hormonal development.
Adolescence and Young Adults
Talk with your child’s healthcare provider before starting melatonin. Using melatonin may increase the risk of accidental or intentionaloverdose in adolescents.
Pregnancy
Melatonin has not been adequately studied in pregnant andbreastfeedingpeople to determine if it is safe. Do not use melatonin duringpregnancyor breastfeeding without talking with your healthcare provider.
Older Adults
Older adults may turn to melatonin fortrouble sleepingas they age. It’s important to remember that melatonin may affect older adults differently than younger adults.
Melatonin stays active longer in older adults, which means they are more at risk of experiencingdaytime sleepinessbecause melatonin is still affecting them. Melatonin is not recommended for people withdementia.
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Possible side effects of melatonin include:
Can You Develop a Melatonin Dependency?
Melatonin does not cause physical dependency.However, it is not meant to be used long term. Talk with your healthcare provider about other options if you have been using melatonin for one to two months.
Melatonin is not safe for people with anautoimmune disorder, aseizuredisorder, ordepression. It is also not considered safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions With Other Medications and Supplements
Melatonin cannot be taken with certain medications because of drug interactions. Do not take melatonin if you are currently taking a blood thinner such as Jantoven (warfarin). Do not use melatonin with the following medications or supplements:
Summary
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain in response to darkness. It can also be taken as a supplement to help with sleep. Melatonin is safe for most healthy adults to use for a short period.
Possible side effects of melatonin include drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, agitation, nausea, and bed-wetting. The FDA regulates melatonin as a supplement. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are considering trying melatonin as a sleep aid.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMelatonin affects sleep for up to four to five hours.Older individuals may be affected longer because melatonin stays active longer in their bodies.Talk with your healthcare provider about how much melatonin to take. Most healthy adults can take up to 8 milligrams, and most healthy children can take up to 3 milligrams.It is important to start small with your dose and slowly go up as needed.People with the following conditions should avoid melatonin:PregnancyBreastfeedingHigh blood pressureBleeding disordersSeizure disordersDepressionHistory of transplant
Melatonin affects sleep for up to four to five hours.Older individuals may be affected longer because melatonin stays active longer in their bodies.
Talk with your healthcare provider about how much melatonin to take. Most healthy adults can take up to 8 milligrams, and most healthy children can take up to 3 milligrams.It is important to start small with your dose and slowly go up as needed.
People with the following conditions should avoid melatonin:PregnancyBreastfeedingHigh blood pressureBleeding disordersSeizure disordersDepressionHistory of transplant
People with the following conditions should avoid melatonin:
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: What you need to know.John Hopkins Medicine.Melatonin for sleep: Does it work?.Marseglia L, Gitto E, Laschi E, et al.Antioxidant effect of melatonin in preterm newborns.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:6308255. doi:10.1155/2021/6308255Janjua I, Goldman RD.Sleep-related melatonin use in healthy children.Can Fam Physician. 2016;62(4):315-317.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How much sleep do I need?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pediatric melatonin ingestions — United States, 2012–2021.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Health advisory: Melatonin use in children and adolescents.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Information for consumers on using dietary supplements.MedlinePlus.Melatonin.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: What you need to know.John Hopkins Medicine.Melatonin for sleep: Does it work?.Marseglia L, Gitto E, Laschi E, et al.Antioxidant effect of melatonin in preterm newborns.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:6308255. doi:10.1155/2021/6308255Janjua I, Goldman RD.Sleep-related melatonin use in healthy children.Can Fam Physician. 2016;62(4):315-317.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How much sleep do I need?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pediatric melatonin ingestions — United States, 2012–2021.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Health advisory: Melatonin use in children and adolescents.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Information for consumers on using dietary supplements.MedlinePlus.Melatonin.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: What you need to know.John Hopkins Medicine.Melatonin for sleep: Does it work?.Marseglia L, Gitto E, Laschi E, et al.Antioxidant effect of melatonin in preterm newborns.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:6308255. doi:10.1155/2021/6308255Janjua I, Goldman RD.Sleep-related melatonin use in healthy children.Can Fam Physician. 2016;62(4):315-317.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How much sleep do I need?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pediatric melatonin ingestions — United States, 2012–2021.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Health advisory: Melatonin use in children and adolescents.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Information for consumers on using dietary supplements.MedlinePlus.Melatonin.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Melatonin: What you need to know.
John Hopkins Medicine.Melatonin for sleep: Does it work?.
Marseglia L, Gitto E, Laschi E, et al.Antioxidant effect of melatonin in preterm newborns.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:6308255. doi:10.1155/2021/6308255
Janjua I, Goldman RD.Sleep-related melatonin use in healthy children.Can Fam Physician. 2016;62(4):315-317.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How much sleep do I need?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pediatric melatonin ingestions — United States, 2012–2021.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Health advisory: Melatonin use in children and adolescents.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Information for consumers on using dietary supplements.
MedlinePlus.Melatonin.
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