Melatonin

Tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking, especially those listed in the Warning section or any of the following:

• Antibiotics
• Aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Birth-control pills
• Insulin or other diabetes medicines
• Narcotic pain medicine
• Stomach medications, such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), or ondansetron (Zofran)
• ADHD medications
• Heart or blood-pressure drugs
• Medicines to treat or prevent blood clots, such as clopidogrel (Plavix) and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and others
• Steroid medicines
• Vitamin B12
• St. John's wort
• Echinacea
• Dietary or herbal supplements

Melatonin and Other Interactions

Melatonin may impair your thinking or reactions and affect your sleep-wake cycle for several days if you're traveling through different time zones.

Avoid driving or operating machinery for at least four hours after taking the supplement.

Try to avoid products that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks when taking melatonin.

Caffeine could increase melatonin levels in the body.

Melatonin usually comes in pill form. It's also available in creams for the skin and lozenges that dissolve under the tongue

Follow all the instructions on the product label when taking this supplement.

Don't take more or less of it than is recommended.

A typical dose for treating insomnia is 0.3 milligrams (mg) to 5 mg of melatonin at bedtime. Different medical conditions, and people of different ages, will require different dosages of the medicine.

Use the lowest dose when you first start taking this supplement.

Take melatonin at bedtime or when you are ready to sleep.

If you're using the supplement to treat jet lag, take the dose at bedtime on the day you arrive at your destination and keep using it for two to five days.

Melatonin Overdose

Melatonin overdose can lead to severe drowsiness and affect your sleep-wake cycle.

Symptoms of a melatonin overdose may include headache, drowsiness, and upset stomach.

If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison-control center or emergency room immediately.

You can reach a poison-control center at (800) 222-1222.

Missed Dose of Melatonin

Melatonin is often taken when needed, so you may not be on a dosing schedule.

If you are on a dosing schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. Then skip the missed dose and continue on your regular dosing schedule.

Don't take an extra dose to make up for a missed one.

Melatonin is used in the prevention of:

• Jet Lag Syndrome

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Melatonin may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Melatonex

• Restone

• Somnicin

Melatonin is part of the drug class:

• Melatonin receptor agonists