What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone that is released by the pineal gland to the brain. To encourage restful sleep, people may also take it as a natural or synthetic supplement. In the body, melatonin performs several functions, but it is mainly noted for preserving circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythm is the internal clock of the body. It gives instruction to the body on when to sleep and when to wake up.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone present in the body. Typically, melatonin used as the medication is made in a laboratory synthetically. Mostly the medication is available in the form of a pill, but melatonin is also available in forms that can be inserted under the tongue or under the cheek. This facilitates the absorption of melatonin directly into the body.

Melatonin Uses

Regulates the sleep cycle
Treats:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Benzodiazepine or nicotine withdrawal
- Cancer (adjunctive therapy)
- Headache prevention
- Insomnia
- Jet lag
- Shift-work disorder
- Sleep disorders
- Platelet deficiency (chemo-induced thrombocytopenia)
- Winter depression
- Tardive dyskinesia
Effective for circadian rhythm sleep disorders

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Side Effects of Melatonin

Dizziness
Headaches
Nausea
Drowsiness
Vomiting
Stomach cramps
Irritability
Serious side effects may occur; consult a doctor if you experience any unusual problems.

Precautions

Consult your doctor if you are allergic to melatonin or any other medications.
Be aware of inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions.
Discuss any serious allergic reactions or other health problems with your doctor before using melatonin.

How to Use Melatonin

Start with a lower dose: 0.5 mg (500 micrograms) or 1 mg 30 minutes before bed.
If ineffective, increase the dose to 3-5 mg.
Avoid taking higher doses, as it will not enhance sleep quality.
Aim for the lowest effective dosage to help you fall asleep.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, avoid taking Melatonin tablets unless you have time to sleep for 7 to 8 hours afterwards. Skip the missed dose and go back to your daily dosing cycle if you miss a dose of this drug. Do not use duplicate doses. Using this medicinal product only when you are unable to sleep.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose can include extreme drowsiness, confusion, lack of balance, severe muscle weakness, fainting, or shallow breathing. If you have taken more than the prescribed Melatonin tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.

Warnings for some serious Health Conditions

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: If you are pregnant or if you want to breastfeed, it's best to stop taking melatonin. Not enough research has been done to know if you and your baby are healthy. In small quantities, melatonin moves into breast milk and this may make a baby more sleepy. Speak to a doctor first before taking melatonin if you intend to breastfeed.

Storage

Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach. Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).

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Fondaparinux vs Heparin:

Melatonin	Zolpidem
Melatonin is a hormone that is released by the pineal gland to the brain. To encourage restful sleep, people may also take it as a natural or synthetic supplement.	Zolpidem is a prescription medication that comes in the form of an oral tablet and an oral spray. There are three types of oral tablet:immediate-release, extended-release, and sublingual.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland which regulates the sleep cycle. Melatonin may be used to treat Alzheimer's disease, withdrawal of benzodiazepine or nicotine.	Zolpidem is used in adults to treat a certain problem with sleep (insomnia). It makes you fall asleep quicker if you have trouble falling asleep, so you can get better rest at the night.
Some of the common side effects of Melatonin are: Dizziness Headaches Nausea Drowsiness Vomiting	Some of the common side effects of Zolpidem are: Headache Drowsiness Dizziness Diarrhea Dry mouth

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it safe to take melatonin?

For short-term usage, melatonin is usually healthy. You are unlikely to become reliant on melatonin and have a decreased response after prolonged use (habituation), or can experience a hangover effect. The most common side effects of melatonin include the following: headaches.

2. Can I take melatonin every night?

Taking melatonin supplements every night is healthy, but only for the short term. In your sleep-wake cycle, melatonin is a natural hormone that plays a part. It is synthesised primarily by the brain-located pineal gland. In response to darkness, melatonin is released and is blocked by light.

3. How much melatonin should I take for sleep?

For insomnia: Most researchers have used 2 mg to 3 mg of melatonin prior to bed for up to 29 weeks. For shorter durations, higher doses of up to 12 mg daily were also used (up to 4 weeks). For insomnia that occurs in conjunction with other conditions: 2-12 mg was used for up to 4 weeks.

4. Does melatonin cause weight gain?

The results of several laboratory studies and clinical trials indicate that the circadian and seasonal patterns of melatonin secretion are disrupted in the case of obesity. Lower levels of melatonin secretion will increase appetite in the autumn-winter cycle and contribute to weight gain.

5. What happens if you take melatonin and stay awake?

Keep in mind that melatonin does not have much of a daytime presence, as it occurs naturally in the body, so if you take melatonin too close to morning (such as if you wake up at 4 am and erroneously take some to get back to sleep) whole day you can get sleep and feel drowsy.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.