Melatonin and elderly people

[Huskyy]

Wondering if anyone might have experiences with that - is it helpful in supporting/ adjusting the circadian rhythm..?

Any negative sides?

I understand it should be well tolerated, without any sudden effects (compared to sleeping pills category).

Thanks.

[RedApple Administrator]

Huskyy, Melatonin is not often prescribed in the UK, so few members here will have sufficient experience to answer your question.

Do you have a diagnosed thyroid condition for which you are prescribed and take medication?

[Star13]

I’ve tried Melatonin, in fact I was prescribed it for Migraine but I could not tolerate it and it did nothing for my sleep anyway. Be careful.

[helvella Administrator]

One of the things that has been said many times is that less is more.

That is, people found that a larger dose - even within normal prescribing practice - was not as good as a lower dose. If you go ahead, do lots of reading and take care.

This isn't from personal experience!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

It is definitely helpful for adjusting the circadian rhythm. Initially I was prescribed melatonin for a circadian rhythm disorder by my sleep clinic, and I had follow up appointments every 3-6 months. They are careful as there can be side effects for some.

More recently the prescribing guidelines have changed so that my GP can now prescribe it and there are no more follow ups.

Personally there are no negative side effects for myself but they can happen for some.

[Framboise]

I've had both good and bad reactions to melatonin. I originally took a low dose of one brand which I had bought in the US and was fine with it, but it didn't really help me much either.

A few years later, I was prescribed a slow-release melatonin, Circadin, by a very self-important specialist at a Sleep Clinic here in the UK. Within 20 minutes of taking it I started to hallucinate and I felt as if my head was imploding, it was a very odd and unpleasant sensation. Far from helping me sleep, it kept me up all night, and also kept my husband up as he sat with me while a parade of weird things danced in front of me and I babbled on describing them all to him. Because it was slow-release this continued on and off to a lesser degree for most of the following day.

I had been told to phone the clinic if I had any side effects, but when I did so I was told by the specialist that my reaction was not typical and he suggested I must have taken some novel substances at the same time. I was furious and did not go back to him.

I think the prescription was very new at the time and there was probably just one dose, whereas now I can see that it comes in different doses and can also be split, which I hadn't been told. I'd just say that if you try it and have a similar reaction, it does get better after about 18 hours! It is probably better to take one which isn't slow-release and I'm wary of all slow-release medication now.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

I have some students on it, it’s being prescribed in our area (West Mids) for teenagers with ADHD who don’t want Ritalin or similar or for some with neurological disorders and anxiety. It’s does seem to help some of the time but these are young people with very complex situations and multiple challenges so difficult to know what’s working and what’s causing more problems.

I’m guessing you have done all the sun in eyeballs first thing, habit resetting, meal time (blood sugar)organising, vitamin D taking, magnesium bathing, electronic device down putting already?

[humanbean]

I don't know if this is helpful or reassuring, but at one time the NHS would only prescribe melatonin to people aged 55+. They have expanded their prescribing very slightly since then. I never understood why it was restricted by age.

For more info on how UK doctors prescribe it :

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/melat...

Having taken melatonin myself previously, I would agree with the comments that mention keeping the dose very low. I bought a product that isn't available any more that came in a dose of 3mg per tablet. I would break them up into 3 or 4 or 5 pieces and take one piece (the product I had bought didn't cut well).

[Bertwills]

I buy mine from Biovea, American firm but delivered from Europe. No problems with taking a slow release 10 mg tablet. I found it very helpful, but I have chronic insomnia & have tried everything else to help my sleep.

All the various strengths are available on Biovea so you can start low. I had no ill effects.