From diarrhea to insomnia
Many people use melatonin tablets for sleeping problems. Because melatonin also occurs naturally in our body, many people think that it is harmless. However, melatonin can also cause side effects. In the section ‘Side effect’ you can read everything about side effects of medicines. This time: melatonin.
Melatonin is a hormone that our body makes itself. This is done by the pineal gland in our brain. Melatonin is important for our sleep-wake rhythm. Our body produces melatonin when it starts to get dark. This will make you sleepy. Melatonin production is highest in the middle of the night. When it gets light, the production of melatonin decreases again. This wakes you up.
Melatonin Tablets
Many people take extra melatonin to sleep better. There are different dosages of melatonin tablets. A tablet containing 0.3 mg or less of melatonin is still considered a dietary supplement. Tablets with a daily dose of more than 0.3 mg are regarded as medicines. Melatonin tablets are available at drugstores and pharmacies.
When can extra melatonin help?
If you make too little or at the wrong times melatonin, it can help to use melatonin. Even if you have a disturbed day-night rhythm, melatonin can help you fall asleep. For example, if you work night shifts or travel through different time zones and therefore suffer from jet lag.
Whether extra melatonin really helps, depends to a large extent on when you take the tablets. The right time to take the tablets again depends on when melatonin production starts in your body. For example, you can bring this moment forward with a melatonin tablet. Unfortunately, you cannot accurately predict the moment when the production of melatonin in your body starts, based on when you fall asleep. A doctor can do a melatonin test in your saliva to determine exactly that moment.
Can melatonin also cause side effects?
Although melatonin is a hormone that our body produces itself, taking extra melatonin can also have side effects. A lot of people don’t know this. The Lareb Side Effects Center also receives reports about side effects of melatonin. These reports are about melatonin as a food supplement and as a medicine. The top 10 most commonly reported side effects are:
- diarrhea
- headache
- dizziness
- palpitations
- nausea
- insomnia
- sweat a lot
- stomach ache
- weird dreams
- nightmares
- blockage
- fear
- a strange feeling
These side effects are not listed in all package leaflets. It can also take a few months before the natural production of melatonin is restored, if you have taken melatonin for several weeks to months.
So be careful with melatonin. Only use it when you really need it and don’t use it for too long. Do you want to know when it is best to take the tablets? A doctor can best advise you on this.
This article was produced in collaboration with Side Effects Center Lareb† This is the Dutch reporting and knowledge center for side effects of medicines, including vaccines, and the use of medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Lareb identifies risks of the use of medicines in daily practice and generates and disseminates knowledge about this.
