The molecular mechanism by which melatonin secretion decreases with age remains unclear, and as melatonin supplementation may imply long-term use, there are concerns with regards to the side effects in certain groups of the population. The most common side effects are headaches, nausea and dizziness (17).
Safety concerns, especially among elderly patients, are residual daytime drowsiness, tiredness upon rising, and increased sleep disruption.
Melatonin is generally regarded as safe for seniors by physicians and pharmacists because its side effects are mild, it's not habit forming, and it does not cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly. However, some of the side effects listed above may present additional challenges for older adults.
Do not use melatonin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have an autoimmune disorder, a seizure disorder or depression. Talk to your health care provider if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
Melatonin does not have a standard dosage that fits all. But when it comes to older people, the best results showed dosages from 2 to 3 mg taken 30 minutes before bedtime.
In the elderly, should prescription medication be necessary, the first-line treatment is nonbenzodiazepines (e.g., zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon, and ramelteon) as they have been found to be safer and better tolerated than tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines.
Yes, melatonin is generally safe for the elderly. However, they might cause side effects like headaches, daytime sedation, nausea, etc. So, it is always good to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or supplement.
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.
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.
You Might Increase Your Risk for Some Health Issues
Even though melatonin is a hormone, not a supplement, it still has side effects and medical interactions, notes Dr. Weiss. "For example, some people might experience side effects after taking melatonin, including drowsiness, stomach aches or dizziness," says Dr.
High blood pressure: Melatonin can raise blood pressure in people who are taking certain medications to control blood pressure. Avoid using it.
Generally, a safe starting dose for adults is between 1 and 5 milligrams of melatonin. Older adults may find doses lower than 1 milligram to be effective. Children should not take melatonin unless recommended by a doctor.
Doses of melatonin between 1 mg and 6 mg appear to be effective for improving sleep in older adults; however, further studies are needed to find the optimal minimum effective dose.
There is some evidence that this treatment does improve sleep quality in people with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease but so far evidence suggests melatonin does not affect risk of dementia or cognitive function. Please consult your GP before making any decisions about taking sleep medication.
This narrative review summarizes the current evidence regarding the safety of melatonin in older adults (defined by age over 65 years). Melatonin appears to have a favorable safety profile in this population, however there is a dearth of evidence regarding the safety of prolonged use.
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.
Melatonin supplements are commonly used for sleep problems. There's no evidence that melatonin is harmful to your heart, liver, or kidneys when taken as directed. But it can lower blood pressure and make bleeding more likely, especially if you take other blood pressure or blood-thinning medications.
How Long Does Melatonin Stay in Your System? The half-life of melatonin is between 20 and 50 minutes, meaning half of the initial dosage in the body is eliminated after that amount of time. In total, melatonin stays in your system for about four to five hours.
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.
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may lower levels of melatonin in the blood. Steroids and immunosuppressant medications. Melatonin may cause these medication to lose their effectiveness. DO NOT take melatonin with corticosteroids or other medications used to suppress the immune system.
Sleep and Aging
Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults—7 to 9 hours each night. But, older people tend to go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than they did when they were younger.
Always check the label. In general, melatonin should not be given to healthy, typically developing children under age 3, as difficulties falling and staying asleep in these children are almost always behavioral in nature.
Melatonin does tend to have less risky potential side effects than certain prescription sleep aids, Grandner says, but he adds that “melatonin is not a good alternative to prescription sleep medications. It does not work as a sedative and it is ineffective in most cases of insomnia.”
Who is Defined as Elderly? Typically, the elderly has been defined as the chronological age of 65 or older. People from 65 to 74 years old are usually considered early elderly, while those over 75 years old are referred to as late elderly.