Melatonin isn't entirely banned in Australia, but it's a prescription-only medicine for specific childhood conditions (Autism/Smith-Magenis syndrome) because the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) hasn't approved it for general use, citing risks like significant overdoses and variable content in imported supplements. A recent spike in calls to poison centers, often involving children mistaking tasty gummies for lollies, led to a major online retailer suspending sales, highlighting concerns about unregulated products and lack of medical oversight, with some parents bypassing rules to buy online.
No, melatonin is not completely banned in Australia, but it is a prescription-only medicine for most people, with specific, limited over-the-counter (OTC) access for adults over 55 and for jet lag. For children, it's strictly prescription-only and only approved for specific conditions like autism spectrum disorder, with health authorities strongly cautioning against buying unregulated products online due to safety concerns, quality issues, and overdose risks, especially with gummies.
Doctors often don't prescribe melatonin because strong evidence for its long-term effectiveness and safety is limited, especially for general insomnia, with behavioral therapies like CBT-I preferred as initial treatments, plus concerns exist about unregulated supplement quality (incorrect dosages, contaminants) and unknown long-term effects, particularly in children, where behavioral approaches are usually better. While approved in specific cases (like for children with autism), it's generally a short-term option, not a first-line fix for most adults or kids.
In August, American online retailer iHerb suspended all sales of melatonin products to Australia, shortly after reports of a rise in reported overdoses. RACGP Specific Interests Child and Young Person's Health Chair, Dr Tim Jones, has become a prominent spokesperson on the dangers of unregulated melatonin products.
“If melatonin for sleep isn't helping after a week or two, stop using it,” says Buenaver. “And if your sleep problems continue, talk with your health care provider. 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.
It is found that melatonin has a negative effect on long-term potentiation, inhibiting its magnitude. As long-term potentiation is related to some forms of learning and memory, melatonin inhibits learning and memory too.
Sleep aids: The options
Melatonin isn't entirely banned in Australia, but it's a prescription-only medicine for most uses, especially for children, due to safety concerns about unregulated online products, significant overdoses in kids (often mistaking gummies for lollies), and concerns about long-term effects, leading to warnings and restrictions on importing unregistered versions that lack Australian quality standards and have inaccurate dosages. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) only approves it for specific conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children, while parents often buy unregulated versions online, creating a public health issue.
Yes, Chemist Warehouse sells melatonin products, including prescription-strength options like Circadin and over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic preparations, but availability and accessibility depend on your location and age, especially in Australia where slow-release is for 55+ without a script. You can find brands like Circadin (prescription, 2mg), Wagner Health (for 55+), and Healthy Care (homeopathic) on their website, but always check local regulations for purchasing.
Common side effects
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. Milk, nuts, cherries, fish, rice, goji berries, and oats contain melatonin. Avoid spicy food, chocolate, tomatoes, pizza, and citrus fruits before bed.
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.
Melatonin is not suitable for some people. 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.
Top 7 effective alternatives to melatonin
Melatonin did not alter BP reactivity in healthy normotensive men and women. However, melatonin did decrease nighttime peripheral and central systolic BP, suggesting it may be beneficial in lowering BP even in those with a normal BP.
Modified-release melatonin is not approved in younger people (i.e. aged < 55 years) or for longer treatment durations (i.e. > 13 weeks) as clinical trials supporting efficacy and safety considered during the Medsafe approval process did not include these groups.
New TGA safety advice on imported melatonin
One product contained more than 400% of the labelled content and another containing no melatonin at all. The TGA recommends that consumers stop using unregistered melatonin products immediately and take any remaining items to their local pharmacy for safe disposal.
Melatonin will usually be started by a specialist doctor, and then continued by your GP if you find it works. The aim of using melatonin is to establish a good sleeping pattern with the lowest effective dose.
And even if you're over 55, you need prescription if you are looking for more than 2mg. Australia's careful approach ensures melatonin is used safely under medical supervision, reducing the risk of side effects and interactions with other medications.
Doctors often don't prescribe melatonin because strong evidence for its long-term effectiveness and safety is limited, especially for general insomnia, with behavioral therapies like CBT-I preferred as initial treatments, plus concerns exist about unregulated supplement quality (incorrect dosages, contaminants) and unknown long-term effects, particularly in children, where behavioral approaches are usually better. While approved in specific cases (like for children with autism), it's generally a short-term option, not a first-line fix for most adults or kids.
Consumers who import these unregistered 'melatonin' products from online stores for personal use or use by an immediate family member risk serious health problems. In Australia, melatonin is only approved for use in children as a prescription-only medicine in limited circumstances.
Suvorexant is the first orexin receptor antagonist to be marketed in Australia. The drug is taken within 30 minutes of bedtime. This should be at least seven hours before the patient plans to get up again. The maximum drug concentration is reached in two hours.
Daridorexant is one of a relatively new class of drugs that have been developed for the treatment of insomnia. Its mechanism of action differs from many of the older insomnia treatments. Studies have shown that it can help people to fall asleep faster at night and stay asleep longer during the night.
Common causes of middle insomnia include stress, poor sleep hygiene, diet, sleep disorders, and even certain medical conditions. One sleepless night won't cause too much trouble, but if you're awake night after night, you'll probably begin to feel it.