Melatonin can be effective in relieving jet lag for people who travel across two or more time zones. Adults may take a dose of 0. It is not considered safe to take melatonin with alcohol. Because alcohol can disrupt your sleep quality and your natural melatonin levels , you should avoid mixing melatonin with alcohol. It is not recommended that you take melatonin with caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that disrupts your sleep-wake cycle and can affect your natural melatonin production.
While melatonin is generally considered safe, it is possible to take too much. There is no official recommended melatonin dosage, and people can have different sensitivities to melatonin, so finding an appropriate dose can be challenging. Moreover, because melatonin is not regulated in the U. Studies have found that some melatonin products can have nearly five times as much melatonin as their label claims, or much less. You may feel especially drowsy or groggy. Doses of 10 milligrams or higher can cause side effects like drowsiness and headache.
Other symptoms of melatonin overdose include:. To ensure safe usage , it is always a good idea to consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter sleep aid , including melatonin. They know your personal medical history and can best advise you on the appropriate melatonin dosage for your needs. They will also know whether melatonin might interact with any other medications you may currently be taking. Certain health conditions and medications may increase your risk of side effects when taking melatonin.
If you take any of the following medications, be sure to talk to your doctor before taking melatonin:. Additionally, the following types of people may have an increased sensitivity to melatonin, and should avoid taking it before consulting their doctor:. For many people, melatonin offers mild improvements to sleep problems when used on a short-term basis. For others, it may cause side effects or not impact sleep at all.
If you find your sleep problems persist after trying melatonin, it may be time to talk to a doctor. They can recommend other strategies for improving your sleep, such as better sleep hygiene, changes to diet and exercise, or cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia.
They can also evaluate other possible causes for your sleep problems. His research and clinical practice focuses on the entire myriad of sleep disorders. Looking for a natural alternative to sleep medications? Learn about the potential benefits and drawbacks of using ashwagandha for sleep.
Studies suggest warm milk before bed may help you sleep better. Learn more about this and other habits to incorporate…. Could drinking water before bed help you sleep better? It may actually be more disruptive to sleep. We highlight what…. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.
This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies.
It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The Sleep Foundation editorial team is dedicated to providing content that meets the highest standards for accuracy and objectivity.
Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias. Updated June 1, Written by Elise Chahine. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Abhinav Singh. When Should I Take Melatonin? Can You Overdose on Melatonin? Melatonin Dosage for Adults There is no official recommended melatonin dosage for adults, but a range of 0.
Melatonin for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using melatonin without first consulting their doctor. Melatonin Dosage for Children Short-term use of melatonin in small doses appears to be safe and well-tolerated by most children. Sign up below for your free gift. Your privacy is important to us. Was this article helpful? Yes No. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Taking too much melatonin for you can lead to unpleasant side effects.
These may include:. Young children can experience even more serious side effects, and melatonin overdose occurs more quickly. For example, a dose as small as 1 to 5 mg could cause seizures. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers more information.
Need to talk to someone today? Taking melatonin in any amount can be dangerous if you are also taking certain other medications. Unfortunately, this includes medications that can also make it difficult to sleep. People who use blood pressure drugs, for example, may have a lower amount of naturally occurring melatonin.
However, taking melatonin can cause blood pressure spikes, which could be incredibly dangerous. On the other end of the spectrum, birth control pills can lead to elevated melatonin production. Taking a supplement could push your concentration into dangerous territory.
Individuals using anticoagulants may see an increased risk of bleeding if they also use melatonin. Those on corticosteroids should also avoid the supplement.
Both of those substances impact circadian rhythms and natural melatonin production. If you have trouble sleeping, it is always wise to see a doctor. Melatonin for Treatment of Sleep Disorders. November Herxheimer, A. Melatonin for the prevention and treatment of jet lag. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2 , CD Costello, R. The effectiveness of melatonin for promoting healthy sleep: a rapid evidence assessment of the literature.
Nutrition journal, 13, Erland, L. Auger, R. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Andersen, L. Pharmacokinetics of high-dose intravenous melatonin in humans. Journal of clinical pharmacology, 56 3 , — Nordlund, J. The effects of oral melatonin on skin color and on the release of pituitary hormones. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 45 4 , — Chung, C. Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine, 8 3 , — Shane-McWhorter, L.
Merck Manual Professional Version: Melatonin. Hansen, M. Effect of melatonin on depressive symptoms and anxiety in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Holliman, B. Problems in assessment of acute melatonin overdose. Southern medical journal, 90 4 , — Vural, E.
Optimal dosages for melatonin supplementation therapy in older adults: a systematic review of current literature. Luboshitzky, R. Melatonin administration alters semen quality in healthy men. Journal of andrology, 23 4 , — Janjua, I. Sleep-related melatonin use in healthy children. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 62 4 , — Black, L.
Use of complementary health approaches among children aged years in the United States: National Health Interview Survey, National health statistics reports, 78 , 1— Kennaway D. Potential safety issues in the use of the hormone melatonin in paediatrics. Journal of paediatrics and child health, 51 6 , — Boafo, A.
Could long-term administration of melatonin to prepubertal children affect timing of puberty? A clinician's perspective. Nature and science of sleep, 11, 1— Evaluation of sleep, puberty and mental health in children with long-term melatonin treatment for chronic idiopathic childhood sleep onset insomnia.
Psychopharmacology, 1 , — Esposito, S. Pediatric sleep disturbances and treatment with melatonin. Journal of translational medicine, 17 1 , Learn more about Melatonin. By Jay Summer November 3, By Sarah Shoen September 2, Does Melatonin Expire?
By Tom Ryan July 22, By Danielle Pacheco July 15,
0コメント