Melatonin (Circadin) For Insomnia

What is melatonin (circadin)?

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the brain that regulates the body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. Melatonin has an important role in controlling the sleep-wake cycle.

In healthy people, melatonin starts to be produced in the evening, usually as the sun starts setting, which is why you start to feel sleepy. Melatonin receptors in the tissues sense the peak in circulating melatonin at night and signal to the body that it’s nighttime, so it can begin winding down for sleep.

Melatonin continues being made well into the night to help you stay asleep, peaking around 7 hours after sunset. When morning comes and the sun rises, melatonin drops to very low levels, so you feel alert when you wake up.

What is melatonin used for?

Man-made versions of melatonin (Circadin) can be prescribed for short periods for sleep issues like insomnia. It is also available for jet lag because travelling across time zones can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.

Melatonin is only available with a prescription and is usually prescribed for 13 weeks or less to treat sleep problems in people aged 55 and over. Sometimes, specialist clinicians can prescribe melatonin for long-term use for adults and children with severe sleep issues.

How does melatonin for insomnia work?

Melatonin naturally makes you feel sleepy through its effects on your circadian rhythm. For people who struggle to fall or stay asleep, supplementing their melatonin levels can help correct sleep issues.

If you have sleep issues, taking melatonin tablets adds to your body’s natural supply, helping you to fall asleep quicker and easier, and you’ll be less likely to wake up during the night.

Melatonin dosage

Melatonin is usually prescribed in 2mg slow-release tablets which release melatonin slowly during the night, but the dose requirement varies from person to person and should be taken as prescribed by your doctor.

How to take melatonin

You should always take your medication exactly as it has been prescribed by your clinician. If you are unsure you should speak to your clinician for advice or read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication.

Each tablet should be swallowed whole with water. You should not cut it in half or crush it.

The recommended dose is one tablet taken after food and around 1 to 2 hours before bedtime.

What to do if you forget to take melatonin

If you forget to take a melatonin tablet, take it as soon as you remember before going to sleep or you can wait until your next scheduled dose as usual.

Do not take a double melatonin dose to make up for the missed dose.

How effective is melatonin for insomnia?

Studies have shown that melatonin is an effective treatment for insomnia in adults.

One study found that a 5mg dose of melatonin increased sleep time by 25 minutes compared to a placebo. A further study investigating the effects of melatonin supplementation in people with middle-aged primary insomnia found that melatonin reduced early wake time by 30 minutes. The researchers concluded that it was a safe and effective treatment for improving some aspects of sleep quality.

Some research has also shown that melatonin may be effective for treating sleep disorders in people with neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinson’s Disease.

How to buy melatonin

Melatonin for insomnia is only available with a prescription, so a doctor will need to assess if it is safe for you to take.

You can buy melatonin from Prescription Doctor. You’ll need to complete a quick online consultation, so our clinicians can see if it is an appropriate treatment for you.

If your order is approved, your medication will be delivered in discreet packaging. If your order is approved before 3 pm, you will receive your medication the next day.

If your order is not approved because our clinician doesn’t feel that melatonin is suitable for you, you will receive a full refund as part of our money-back guarantee.

Melatonin side effects

Some of the side effects of melatonin include:

• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Mood changes
• Vivid dreams or nightmares

Who shouldn’t take melatonin?

Melatonin isn’t suitable for everyone.

Before taking melatonin for insomnia, let the clinician know if you:

• are allergic to melatonin or any of the ingredients listed in the patient leaflet
• have liver or kidney problems
• have an autoimmune condition like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• are intolerant to some sugars, like lactose

Melatonin and children

Melatonin is sometimes prescribed to children who experience long-term sleep problems, perhaps because of an underlying condition.

Your clinician will work out the correct dose and advise on the correct time to give melatonin to your child. At first, a low dose will be prescribed to see how well your child tolerates melatonin. They should start to feel sleepy about 30 minutes to an hour after taking it.

Melatonin and driving

Melatonin can make you feel drowsy. If you feel sleepy, you shouldn’t drive or operate machinery. If you continuously feel drowsy, let your doctor know.

Melatonin and pregnancy

Melatonin is generally not recommended when trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding. However, one can use it after the doctor's advice.

Melatonin and alcohol

Melatonin and alcohol are not a good mix. Drinking alcohol while taking melatonin tablets for insomnia can stop the medication from working as it should.