Melatonin
Pronunciation: (meh-LA-toh-nin).
- Generic name
- Melatonin
- Brand names
- Jamieson Melatonin, Restavit Melatonin, Melatonin, Genestra Melatonin, Melotin MR, Sleepose
- Drug class
- Hypnotic, Sleep Aid, Hormone
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States
Australia: · Full directory
What Melatonin is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how Melatonin works
Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that regulates circadian rhythms by binding to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. It promotes sleep onset and helps synchronize the sleep-wake cycle to environmental light-dark cues. (2)
What Melatonin is used for
Insomnia
Insomnia (2)
Jet lag
Jet lag (2)
Sleep-wake cycle disturbances
Sleep-wake cycle disturbances (2)
Delayed sleep phase syndrome
Delayed sleep phase syndrome (2)
Before taking Melatonin
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to melatonin or excipients. (Contraindication) (2)
- Melatonin may exacerbate symptoms in certain psychiatric or seizure disorders. (Contraindication) (2)
Tell your clinician about
(2)How to take Melatonin
- General Instructions: Take melatonin 30-60 minutes before bedtime. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions or the directions on the product label.. Adult Dosing: Typical adult dose ranges from 1 mg to 5 mg taken orally before bedtime. For jet lag, doses of 0.5 mg to 5 mg may be used for several days after arrival at the destination.. Pediatric Dosing: Melatonin use in children should be supervised by a healthcare provider. Doses typically range from 0.5 mg to 3 mg, depending on age and indication.. Administration: Swallow tablets or capsules whole with water. Do not crush or chew extended-release forms. Sublingual tablets should be dissolved under the tongue.. When To Stop: If you experience serious side effects, seek medical advice promptly; let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop melatonin. Many people use it only as needed once sleep improves, but long-term or ongoing use should be reviewed with a healthcare provider.. Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (2)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is close to your usual wake-up time. Do not double the next dose.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose may include excessive drowsiness, confusion, and low blood pressure. Seek emergency medical attention if overdose is suspected. (2)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Headache
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Dizziness
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Nausea
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Drowsiness
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Daytime fatigue
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Irritability
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Nightmares
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Serious warnings
Accidental pediatric ingestion is a real and rising safety concern — serious
Symptoms: Accidental pediatric ingestion is a real and rising safety concern: U.S. poison control centers reported a sharp rise in calls about children accidentally ingesting melatonin, from 8,337 in 2012 to 52,563 in 2021, per NCCIH/NIH data. Store melatonin out of children's sight and reach, and use child-resistant packaging where available.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
People with dementia should avoid melatonin, per 2015 American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidance cited by NCCIH — serious
Symptoms: People with dementia should avoid melatonin, per 2015 American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidance cited by NCCIH. Not recommended for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical advice. May interact with anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, diabetes medications, and contraceptives. May worsen symptoms in people with depression or seizure disorders. Use caution in elderly patients due to increased sensitivity to side effects. Long-term safety has not been established; use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Contraindications recorded in the clinician database — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications recorded in the clinician database: Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to melatonin or excipients. Use with caution in patients with autoimmune diseases, epilepsy, depression, liver or renal impairment, and in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Melatonin may exacerbate symptoms in certain psychiatric or seizure disorders.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Melatonin may interact with anticoagulants (increasing bleeding risk), immunosuppressants, diabetes medications (affecting blood sugar), oral contraceptives, and CNS depressants (increasing sedation). Always inform your healthcare provider about all medicines and supplements you are taking. |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
There is a lack of research on the safety of melatonin use in pregnant women, per NCCIH/NIH. It is not recommended without medical advice; discuss with your healthcare provider before use. (2)
Breastfeeding
There is a lack of research on the safety of melatonin use in breastfeeding women, per NCCIH/NIH. It is not recommended without medical advice; discuss with your healthcare provider before use. (2)
Children
Frequency: Not established.. Weight Based: Not recommended for pediatric use.. Max Daily Dose: Not established.. Max Single Dose: Not established.. Age Restrictions: Safety not established in children. Short-term use appears reasonably safe, but long-term effects are unknown, and possible hormonal effects on puberty or menstrual cycles remain uncertain. Accidental ingestion by young children is a rising cause of poison-control calls in the US — keep melatonin out of children's reach even when a child's own use is supervised. (2)
Renal_impairment
Use with caution in patients with liver or renal impairment; no specific dose-adjustment data were found in the sources reviewed for this medicine. (2)
Hepatic_impairment
Use with caution in patients with liver or renal impairment; no specific dose-adjustment data were found in the sources reviewed for this medicine. (2)
Monitoring
(2)Storage
Store at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and direct light. Keep out of reach and sight of children — accidental pediatric ingestion of melatonin is a rising cause of poison-control calls, so child-resistant storage is advised even though this is an over-the-counter supplement.
Study the drug class: Z-drugs and other hypnotics
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. In the US and most markets, melatonin is regulated as a dietary supplement, not an FDA-approved drug, so there is no official prescribing label; this section does not replace current product labeling where one exists (e.g., Circadin/Slenyto in some countries are licensed medicines).
General (supplement/clinical-reference guidance, not an FDA drug label)
Indication: Insomnia, sleep-wake disturbances
Dose summary: Typically 1-5 mg taken 30-60 minutes before bedtime; some references cite a lower starting range of 0.5-3 mg.
Renal context: The NCCIH guidance reviewed for this page gives no specific renal-impairment dose-adjustment data for melatonin. As an over-the-counter supplement in most markets rather than a renally cleared prescription drug with a formal label, no numeric renal dose-adjustment table exists; people with significant kidney disease should discuss use with their clinician before starting it rather than self-dosing. (2)
General (supplement/clinical-reference guidance, not an FDA drug label)
Indication: Jet lag
Dose summary: 0.5-5 mg for several days after arrival at the destination.
Renal context: The NCCIH guidance reviewed for this page gives no specific renal-impairment dose-adjustment data for melatonin. As an over-the-counter supplement in most markets rather than a renally cleared prescription drug with a formal label, no numeric renal dose-adjustment table exists; people with significant kidney disease should discuss use with their clinician before starting it rather than self-dosing. (2)
Hepatic guidance
The NCCIH guidance reviewed for this page gives no specific hepatic-impairment dosing guidance for melatonin. Melatonin is metabolized primarily by the liver (largely via CYP1A2), so significant hepatic impairment could plausibly slow its clearance and prolong its effect, but no formal hepatic dose-adjustment table is published for this over-the-counter supplement; people with liver disease should discuss use with their clinician before starting it.
Frequently asked questions
Is melatonin safe for long-term use?
Short-term use of melatonin is generally considered safe for most people. The safety of long-term use has not been well established, so it should only be used long-term under medical supervision.
Can I take melatonin with other sleep medications?
Melatonin should not be combined with other sleep medications or sedatives without consulting your healthcare provider, as this may increase the risk of excessive drowsiness or other side effects.
Does melatonin cause dependence or withdrawal?
Melatonin is not known to cause dependence or withdrawal symptoms, unlike some prescription sleep medications.
Can children take melatonin?
Melatonin may be used in children for certain sleep disorders, but only under the supervision of a healthcare provider — short-term use appears reasonably safe but long-term effects are unknown. Keep melatonin stored out of children's reach: accidental ingestion by young children has become a leading cause of poison-control calls in the US in recent years.
How quickly does melatonin work?
Melatonin usually begins to work within 30 to 60 minutes after taking it. Effects may vary depending on the individual and the formulation used.
Is melatonin available over-the-counter?
In the United States, melatonin is sold over the counter as a dietary supplement, which means it is regulated less strictly than an FDA-approved drug, and product strength/purity can vary between brands. In Australia and the UK, some formulations (e.g., prolonged-release products) require a prescription.
Can melatonin help with jet lag?
Melatonin is commonly used to help reduce symptoms of jet lag by adjusting the sleep-wake cycle when traveling across time zones.
What happens if I take too much Melatonin?
Taking too much Melatonin can lead to exaggerated side effects such as excessive drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and headache. While generally not life-threatening, it's crucial to seek emergency medical attention if severe symptoms or an allergic reaction occurs. Always adhere to prescribed dosages.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Melatonin?
Combining alcohol with Melatonin is generally not recommended. Both substances can cause drowsiness and central nervous system depression, leading to increased sedation, impaired coordination, and slowed breathing. This interaction can amplify the sedative effects, making it unsafe to drive or operate machinery.
Is Melatonin safe during pregnancy?
Melatonin's pregnancy category requires consultation with a doctor. Due to limited research on its effects on fetal development, it is crucial for pregnant individuals to discuss the risks and benefits with their healthcare provider before using Melatonin. Self-medication during pregnancy is strongly discouraged.
What is the mechanism of action of Melatonin?
Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that regulates circadian rhythms by binding to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. It promotes sleep onset and helps synchronize the sleep-wake cycle to environmental light-dark cues. (2)
What is the generic name of Melatonin?
The generic name is Melatonin. It is sold under brand names including Jamieson Melatonin, Restavit Melatonin, Melatonin, Genestra Melatonin, Melotin MR, Sleepose.
What class of drug is Melatonin?
Melatonin is classed as: Hypnotic, Sleep Aid, Hormone.
References
- Clinician-authored medicine record for Melatonin (MedGuideGlobal medicines database) · · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 1
- NCCIH (NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health): Melatonin — What You Need To Know · · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 2
- POLLUTOX (SULPHURICUM ACIDUM, BERBERIS VULGARIS, ARSENICUM ALBUM, BENZINUM, CADMIUM SULPHURATUM, HYDROFLUORICUM ACIDUM, MELATONIN, NITROGENUM OXYGENATUM, NUX VOMICA, PETROLEUM, PLUMBUM METALLICUM, STANNUM METALLICUM, TOLUENE, ACETONE, CARBON DIOXIDE, CHLORINUM, MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS, OZONE, URANIUM NITRICUM) LIQUID [DESERET BIOLOGICALS, INC.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- Melatonin — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 6711)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient Melatonin names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- MELATONIN CORD6 [hp_C]/mL · energique, inc.
- Melatonin Phenolic6 [hp_X]/mL · energique, inc.