Dr. Wy, why shouldn’t I take melatonin to help me sleep? Is it dangerous?

Ask Dr. Wy…

Richard Wyderski, MD, FACP

Dr. Wy, why shouldn’t I take melatonin to help me sleep? Is it dangerous?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by our brain that regulates sleep and you can buy it without a prescription because it isn’t considered a drug by the FDA. It IS a drug, though, and only a few brands such as Natrol carry USP verification, ensuring their products contain the label ingredients and amounts, are free of harmful contaminants, and dissolve as they should.

As we get older, melatonin production decreases and by the time we are in our 80’s our pineal glands hardly make any at all. Melatonin supplements can replace melatonin deficiency, and I personally recommend that my patients take the type that mimics our natural cycle, with part of the tablet dissolving immediately while the rest of the tablet dissolves slowly overnight.

Is it effective? Not a lot of research has been done, but 20 years ago Takeda Pharmaceuticals altered melatonin somewhat and turned it into a drug called ramelteon that is available by prescription. It HAS been shown to be more effective than a placebo and IS FDA approved.

Not everything is effective for everyone, though, including melatonin or ramelteon.

Are they safe? The American Geriatrics Society thinks so since neither is listed by the AGS as being inadvisable for older adults like so many other insomnia drugs. They can have side effects, though, such as next-day grogginess and nausea. Side effects may limit who can use them.

The best treatment of all is having good sleep hygiene and using cognitive behavioral therapy. For more excellent information about sleep, check out www.sleepfoundation.org

Sleep well!

 

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