Melatonin

Melatonin, a hormone, is generated by the pineal gland in your brain. It can also be found in other body parts, such as bone marrow, eyes, and gut. Melatonin controls sleep and wakefulness by regulating the sleep or wake cycles. It is synthetically produced in labs and available in the form of supplements.

When you are in the dark, you produce more Melatonin which has a calming effect on the body. Conversely, a slight decrease in Melatonin production signals your body to remain awake. People having trouble with sleeping or insomnia have decreased Melatonin production. In this case, Melatonin supplements are of great help.

What are the uses of Melatonin?

Melatonin is known as the "sleep hormone" for a good reason. It's a widely used and popular natural remedy for sleep problems like insomnia. Many studies have shown that melatonin can help you sleep better. Another large analysis in both kids and adults with sleep issues found that melatonin made it quicker to fall asleep, increased the total sleep time, and made sleep better.

• Melatonin treats insomnia and sleep disorders resulting from disturbed circadian rhythms. It helps people with dementia, chronic pain, depression, and many other conditions which lead to sleep trouble. However, there is no scientific evidence to confirm these claims.
• It can also be used if you have issues with sleep due to the intake of several medicines, such as for blood pressure. In addition, taking a high Melatonin dosage has been found to reduce tumour size and improve the survival rate in some people with cancer. It also helps with menstruation and intercourse pain.
• Melatonin is also used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, withdrawal of nicotine, prevention of headaches, platelet disorders, winter depression, and involuntary muscle movement.

How and when to take Melatonin?

• Melatonin has different dosages for adults and children. For adults, the recommended dosage is usually 8 mg. For children, doses up to 3 mg are recommended. Melatonin is also used as gel, cream, gargles, etc. In addition, Melatonin can also be placed under the tongue for better absorption.

• Start with a smaller dosage (even for adults) before bed. Then, gradually increase the dosage as and when necessary. Always talk to your healthcare provider about dosage and when to take the medicines. 

What are the side effects of Melatonin?

Melatonin, like any other drug, has some side effects. Some of them are:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Drowsiness
• Vivid dreams or nightmares
• Constipation
• Urinary incontinence at night
• Mood swings
• Reduced alertness
• Irritability 
• Stomach cramps
• Disorientation

What precautions should be taken?

• Before taking Melatonin, talk to your doctor and discuss the benefits, side effects, allergies and efficacy. The medicine contains some active ingredients that may not suit your body and can cause allergic reactions or severe health conditions. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of its contents. 
• Contraindications: Inform your doctor if you have epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, or impaired liver or kidney function.
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive. It may pass into breastmilk, hence it is not advised to take this medication while breastfeeding. 
• Driving or operating heavy machinery: Melatonin may cause dizziness, hence it is not advised to drive or operate heavy machinery after taking th
• It is not recommended for children below 18 years without a doctor’s advice. It may also cause drowsiness, hence it is not recommended to consume alcohol while taking this medication.

What if I missed the dose of Melatonin?

If you miss a dose of Melatonin, avoid taking it unless you have 7-8 hours to sleep. Skip the dose and start your regular cycle the next day. Do not take multiple doses. It is highly advisable to use this product only when the condition demands. 

What if there is an overdose of Melatonin?

Too much Melatonin can cause undesired effects. In case of an overdose, you may not be able to sleep properly. This is because the heart rhythms get disrupted. Also, an overdose might leave you dizzy and sleepy during the day. It can lead to nightmares, shallow breathing, panic attacks, dry mouth, fatigue, and cardiovascular problems.

For some people, excess Melatonin can alter their blood pressure. Always follow your doctor’s advice, and talk to your healthcare provider in case of any complications. 

What is the storage condition of Melatonin?

Melatonin can be stored at room temperature. Also, avoid keeping your medicines in direct light, heat, or air, as these factors damage their efficacy. 

Caution with other medicines

Never take Melatonin with birth control pills, as birth control pills increase the amount of Melatonin in your body. Taking both at the same time might cause severe side effects. 

Also, taking Melatonin with fluvoxamine is strictly prohibited as fluvoxamine tends to increase the body’s Melatonin production, which can be harmful. In addition, avoid taking Melatonin with anticoagulant drugs, immunosuppressants, CNS depressants, antihypertensive drugs, anticonvulsants, seizure threshold-lowering drugs, etc.  

How quickly does Melatonin show results? 

Melatonin does not work instantly and requires 30 minutes to an hour. Thus, taking Melatonin 30 min before your planned sleep schedule is a great choice. However, like any other drug, Melatonin affects each individual differently. 

Melatonin vs Melanin

Melatonin treats sleep disorders and must be taken as per doctors' advice. Also, do not overuse the medicine, which might lead to severe side effects.

FAQs

1. What can melatonin be used for?

Melatonin is commonly used to help with sleep issues, such as insomnia and jet lag. It can also be used for other sleep-related concerns.

2. What are the side effects of melatonin?

Side effects of melatonin are typically mild and may include drowsiness, headache, dizziness, or changes in mood. It's important to use it as directed and consult a healthcare provider if you experience adverse effects.

3. What is the difference between Melatonin and Melanin?

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Melanin is a pigment responsible for the color of your skin, hair, and eyes. They serve very different functions in the body.

4. Can I take Melatonin every night?

While melatonin is generally considered safe for short-term use, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider before using it regularly. Prolonged use may not be suitable for everyone.

5. Can Melatonin make you tired the next day?

Melatonin is intended to help you sleep better at night and should not typically cause daytime drowsiness when taken at the right time and dosage. However, individual responses may vary, and it's possible to feel tired the next day if the timing or dosage is not appropriate.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-Melatonin-last#duration-of-efficacy https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/medicine/Melatonin
https://www.drugs.com/Melatonin.html

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not meant to substitute an advice from a healthcare professional. The information is not intended to cover all the possible uses, side-effects, precautions, and drug interactions. This information is not intended to suggest that using a specific drug is suitable, safe, or efficient for you or anyone else. The absence of any information or warning regarding the drug should not be interpreted as an implicit guarantee from the organisation. We strongly advise you to consult a doctor if you have any concerns about the drug and never use the medication without a doctor’s prescription.