It is typically safe for adults to take melatonin every night for short periods of time. Several factors affect whether an individual should take melatonin every day.
If melatonin does seem to help, it's safe for most people to take nightly for one to two months. “After that, stop and see how your sleep is,” he suggests. “Be sure you're also relaxing before bed, keeping the lights low and sleeping in a cool, dark, comfortable bedroom for optimal results.”
Is long-term melatonin use safe? There aren't enough studies to say whether long-term melatonin use in adults or children is safe. A few clinical trials suggest that long-term melatonin use may cause mild side effects compared to placebo (a pill with no medication in it).
Melatonin is not addictive, according to sleep experts and psychologists. There is no evidence that you can become physically dependent on the supplement, and you typically won't develop withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it.
Key takeaways: Melatonin is an over-the-counter supplement that's often used to help with sleep problems. There's no evidence that melatonin is harmful to your heart, liver, or kidneys.
It's been used safely for up to 2 years. But it can cause some side effects including headache, sleepiness, dizziness, and nausea. Don't drive or use machinery for 4-5 hours after taking melatonin. When applied to the skin: Melatonin is likely safe for most adults when used short-term.
Vivid dreams or nightmares: People who use melatonin often report vivid dreams or nightmares. Stomach cramps: Some studies have found that stomach cramps or discomfort can occur with melatonin use. Mood changes: Mood changes associated with taking melatonin include brief bouts of depression and irritability.
However, in the UK, Melatonin is not authorised to be sold without a prescription. This means that it's illegal to sell it in health food shops as Melatonin supplements, like Melatonin gummies. Any sale of Melatonin without a doctor's prescription is illegal in the UK because it's a prescription-only medicine.
Melatonin is generally safe for short-term use. Unlike with many sleep medications, with melatonin you are unlikely to become dependent on it, have less response to it after repeated use or experience a hangover effect. The most common melatonin side effects include: Headache.
You Might Increase Your Risk for Some Health Issues
"For example, some people might experience side effects after taking melatonin, including drowsiness, stomach aches or dizziness," says Dr. Weiss.
Melatonin should only be taken for a maximum of 13 weeks to treat short-term sleep problems in adults, but longer courses may be used on the advice of a specialist.
A 2017 study indicated melatonin as an effective and safe option for treating people with anxiety following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A 2018 study found that the administration of melatonin was more effective in improving anxiety and sleeping patterns than the drug oxazepam in people undergoing heart surgery.
While melatonin is considered generally safe for short-term use, like occasional insomnia or getting over jet lag, many people take melatonin every night. That's concerning if you consider that your nightly dose may be many times higher than what you intended or what the label promised.
What is a safe melatonin dose? According to Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, “melatonin is very safe if taken in normal doses,” which is anything between 0.5 mg and 5 mg.
Less common melatonin side effects might include short-lasting feelings of depression, mild tremor, mild anxiety, abdominal cramps, irritability, reduced alertness, confusion or disorientation. Because melatonin can cause daytime drowsiness, don't drive or use machinery within five hours of taking the supplement.
The NDPSC considered that insufficient information was available on the safety of melatonin to allow it to remain exempt from scheduling for human therapeutic use and that it should not be available without prescription.
Melatonin pills are available in Australia. Currently, you need a prescription from your doctor for melatonin. From June 2021, a form of melatonin will be available from pharmacies without a prescription for people aged over 55. There are 2 ways to use melatonin pills.
Rapid release formulation can also be obtained on prescription from a compounding pharmacy or by crushing the Circadin. Melatonin (Circadin) is now available over the counter for people aged over 55 years. For younger age groups, melatonin tablets need a doctor's prescription in Australia (but not in North America).
To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to melatonin or any other medicine. have liver or kidney problems. have rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or lupus, or any other autoimmune condition.
On average, melatonin takes effect within 30–60 minutes. OTC melatonin can stay in the body for 4–10 hours, depending on the dose and formulation. People should avoid taking melatonin at or after their intended bedtime. Doing so can shift their sleep-wake cycle and lead to daytime sleepiness.
Magnesium supplements are perhaps one of the most popular melatonin alternatives; for good reason. Magnesium is an essential trace mineral found in various amounts in many foods. As a dietary mineral, its key role is in enzyme reactions.
Taking melatonin supplements has also been found to reduce fat mass and increase lean muscle. Rather than causing weight gain, melatonin may actually do the opposite: help you lose weight. While the mechanism by which melatonin aids in weight loss is complex, we do know that not sleeping enough can cause weight gain.