Melatonin Side Effects
From Pharmacy Drug Guide
While Melatonin is a hormone found naturally in the body, individuals taking the supplement may experience Melatonin side effects while taking it to help with a variety of conditions and sleep issues. Most supplements are synthetic, over the counter (or OTC), drugs made in laboratories.[1] The supplement is commonly taken for sleep disorders like insomnia or difficulty falling asleep. Melatonin has proven helpful with blind patients, autistic or mentally retarded children and adolescents to address sleep cycle difficulties.[1]
The human body naturally regulates levels of melatonin, which are higher in the dark hours and lower in the daytime. Supplementing the levels therefore can help reset the body's sleep cycle.[1]
Melatonin side effects can include headache, stomach upset, and drowsiness.
Melatonin is available as pills, skin cream, and lozenges to dissolve under the tongue.[2]
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| Brand names | Melatonin Time Release, Health Aid Melatonin, Bio-Melatonin, SGard |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Various |
| Generic available? | Yea |
| Uses | Jet lag, insomnia |
| Common side effects | Headache, stomach distress, drowsiness |
| Who should not take Melatonin | Pregnant women and those who might become pregnant; nursing mothers; children; those with high blood pressure [3] |
| Disclaimer | The information provided by PharmacyDrugGuide.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not take any action based on the information on this page without consulting a physician. |
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Melatonin regulates the body's circadian rhythm, the 24 hour sleep/wake cycle. The study of the effects of time on body cycles is called chronobiology.[4] Melatonin's ability to regulate body cycles makes it useful for cancer treatment.[5] This effectiveness arises from the fact that all cells, whether normal or malignant, grow and divide on a circadian rhythm; if the cancer cells can be attacked at an optimum time, regulated by melatonin, higher doses of chemotherapy drugs may be safely administered to selected patients.[5]
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Common Melatonin Side Effects
Melatonin is generally considered a safe supplement. However, some side effects can occur, such as transient depression, headache, drowsiness during waking hours, cramps and irritability.[3]
Melatonin might interfere with the menstrual cycle but is not an effective form of birth control.[2] There is also a chance that melatonin supplements can cause elevated blood sugar among diabetes patients.[3]
About Drug Side Effects
Melatonin Allergic Reactions
Melatonin is found naturally in the body, and therefore risk of allergy is low. However, melatonin supplements may contain other, possibly inactive, ingredients that can cause certain users to experience allergic reactions. If the body recognizes an ingredient in the supplement as an "invader," it will release chemicals like histamine that cause symptoms such as stuffy nose, irritated eyes, rash, hives or swelling. Some allergy symptoms are severe enough to cause death.[6]
Melatonin Precautions and Warnings
- Children and adolescents should not take Melatonin unless prescribed by a physician.[1]
- Melatonin may adversely effect diabetics and those taking drugs for high blood pressure.
- Patients with seizure disorders should not take melatonin, as it may heighten the risk of having a seizure.[1]
- Sedative medications, or those that depress the central nervous system, react with melatonin and may cause excessive drowsiness. Examples of CNS depressants to avoid while taking melatonin supplements include Ambien, Klonopin, Ativan and Donnatal.
- Taking birth control pills and melatonin supplements simultaneously can cause an excess of melatonin in the body.
- Patients taking immunosuppressants like CellCept, Simulect, Imuran and others may find a decrease in the effectiveness of their prescription drugs.[3]
Also See: Melatonin Coupons, Drug Side Effects, Vitamin Coupons, Ambien Side Effects, Lunesta Side Effects, Benadryl Coupons, Adderall XR Coupons, Ambien Free Samples
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/940.html
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/melatonin-000315.htm
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-940-MELATONIN.aspx?activeIngredientId=940&activeIngredientName=MELATONIN
- ↑ http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/chronobiology
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.cancer.gov/cam/attachments/MelatoninSummary.pdf
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/allergies-medications
