Does Melatonin Make You Sleep Immediately?

There is not a one-size-fits all dose of melatonin that is used for sleep. Dosing and response to the hormone can vary from one individual to another based on age, gender, the time the supplement is taken, a person’s sleep problems, and any underlying health issues.

• Melatonin supplements can be purchased without a prescription, and common doses range from 0.1 to 10 milligrams, though between 0.5 to 5 milligrams is generally considered a safe and effective dose for healthy adults. 
• Most children may take melatonin in small doses for short-term use. The dosage range for children is 0.05 milligrams per kilogram to 5 milligrams of melatonin. Consult your child’s pediatrician before giving them melatonin. 
• Elderly people may be more sensitive to the effects of melatonin supplements and should take the lowest possible dose.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding people should consult their doctor before using melatonin, as there is not enough research into the safety of melatonin among this population. In addition, melatonin is thought to help regulate an unborn baby’s circadian rhythm, and an imbalance might impact a child’s sleeping patterns after they are born.

Melatonin supplements are marketed as “natural” sleep aids, though it does not mean they are harmless. 

• There are some reports that suggest that long-term melatonin use may affect reproductive hormones.
• Melatonin can interact with other medications, especially:
  • Blood thinners
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Anti-seizure drugs
  • Blood pressure medications
  • Diabetes medications
  • Immunosuppressants
  • Medication to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Melatonin supplements may raise blood-sugar levels and increase blood pressure levels in people taking certain medications for high blood pressure.
• Some people who have diabetes may be more sensitive to the actions of melatonin, leading to impaired insulin secretion.
• Melatonin may stimulate inflammation in people with certain autoimmune diseases. 
• It is unknown if melatonin interacts with alcohol. Because the risks are not known, it is recommended to avoid alcohol if you take melatonin. 
• There are inconsistent results in studies on whether melatonin affects hormonal birth control. 

Higher doses of melatonin are not necessarily better, and excess melatonin can cause health risks. Symptoms of taking excess melatonin may include:

• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Worsening of alopecia areata (an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss)
• May produce depression in people who have depression or who are predisposed to it (though some studies have shown melatonin may be used in some people to help treat depression)
• Increased seizures in patients with epilepsy 

Is Melatonin Safe to Use?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers melatonin to be a dietary supplement, which means melatonin supplements are not required to undergo the same rigorous research and testing as prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids. Melatonin supplements may contain a wide variety in the:

• Ingredients
• Dose
• Preparation
• Purity 

These differences may result in a significantly different impact on the body, even for the same dosage. In addition, dosages listed on supplement labels are often inaccurate and do not contain the labeled dose. Look for United States Pharmacopeial Convention Verified labels to find reliable preparations.