🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 96 (from laksa100)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa096.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://share.upmc.com/2022/04/melatonin-side-effects/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://share.upmc.com/2022/04/melatonin-side-effects/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/2022\/04\/melatonin-side-effects\/","crawl_time":1776474706,"first_indexed_time":1649888000,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,upmc!share,\/2022\/04\/melatonin-side-effects\/ s443","src_root_hash":"12741625226546234896","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Understanding Melatonin Side Effects | UPMC HealthBeat","meta_descriptions":["Melatonin is a hormone your brain's pineal gland produces. It's often called the sleep hormone. Learn more about melatonin."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"If you have jetlag or sleep problems, chances are someone has told you to take the dietary supplement known as melatonin. It’s a popular over-the-counter sleep aid. But should you?\nBefore you take melatonin, here’s what you should know.\nWhat Is Melatonin?\nMelatonin is a hormone your brain’s pineal gland produces. It’s often called the sleep hormone because your brain produces it in response to darkness.\nMelatonin is also available as a synthetic dietary supplement. It comes in liquids, capsules, tablets, gummies, sprays, lozenges, and even chewing gum.\nMost melatonin supplements are immediate-release. That means that after you take them, they dissolve quickly into your bloodstream.\nThere are also timed-release or extended-release melatonin supplements. These dissolve more slowly, to mimic the release of natural melatonin.\nHow Does Melatonin Work?\nMelatonin’s main function is to maintain your body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock. Your circadian rhythm is what controls your normal sleep-wake cycle.\nYour pineal gland releases melatonin at night, when it’s time to fall asleep, and blocks it in the morning, when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin is what makes you feel sleepy at night.\nThat’s what should happen. But melatonin levels can get out of sync, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Several things can disrupt your body’s melatonin levels:\nBlue light from electronics or LED lights close to bedtime.\nShift work.\nJet lag.\nSmoking.\nStress.\nNot enough daylight during the day.\nAging.\nWhy Are Melatonin Supplements Used?\nMany people take melatonin supplements for insomnia. An\nanalysis\nof nine sleep studies found that melatonin can help you fall asleep 7 minutes faster. Because of the small benefits, the\nAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine\n(AASM) doesn’t recommend using melatonin to treat insomnia.\nAnd according to the\nNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health\n(NCCIH), there’s not enough strong evidence on the effectiveness or safety of using melatonin for chronic insomnia.\nHowever, the\nAmerican Academy of Family Physicians\nrecommends using timed-release melatonin as a first-line therapy for older adults with insomnia.\nMelatonin supplements can potentially help with other conditions. According to NCCIH ongoing research suggests it’s helpful for the following:\nJet lag.\nDelayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD).\nSleep problems in children.\nAnxiety before and after surgery.\nThe\nAASM Clinical Guidelines\nalso recommend timed-release melatonin for the following conditions:\nFor the treatment of DSWPD.\nFor blind adults with non-24-sleep-wake disorder (N24SWD).\nFor children and teens with irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder (ISWRD) and comorbid neurological disorders.\nIs Melatonin Safe?\nFor most adults, short-term use of melatonin is safe, according to the NCCIH. There’s not enough information on the safety of long-term use of melatonin.\nWhat are melatonin side effects?\nMost side effects of melatonin are mild. Common melatonin side effects include:\nHeadache.\nDizziness.\nNausea.\nDrowsiness.\nTimed-release melatonin can make you drowsy throughout the day, so use caution when driving or using heavy machinery.\nChildren taking melatonin can have additional side effects. These include:\nIncreased bedwetting or urination at night.\nAgitation or irritability.\nMelatonin nightmares\nSome people have reported experiencing bad or vivid dreams while on melatonin. But there’s no conclusive evidence that taking melatonin is what causes the nightmares.\nMelatonin supplements can increase\nREM sleep\n, which is the stage of sleep where you dream the most. So if the melatonin helps you fall into a deeper sleep, you might also experience more dreams — good and bad — than normal.\nSafety precautions when taking melatonin\nAs a supplement, melatonin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat any condition. So, there are no standard dosing recommendations. Taking more than 5 mg of melatonin doesn’t work any better but increases your risk of side effects.\nPeople who should avoid or use caution when taking melatonin\nYou should avoid taking melatonin if:\nYou’re on warfarin or other blood thinners. Melatonin can increase the risk of bleeding in those on anticoagulants and antiplatelets.\nYou have epilepsy. Melatonin can decrease how well seizure medication works.\nYou’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There’s not enough research on the safety of melatonin use in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.\nYou’re trying to conceive. High doses can affect ovulation, making it difficult to get pregnant.\nYou’re an elderly person with dementia. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends against using melatonin because the supplement’s side effects are a serious concern in this group of people.\nYou should use caution when taking melatonin if:\nYou’re older. Melatonin stays in your body longer when you’re older and can lead to daytime drowsiness.\nYou have high blood pressure or are on blood pressure medication. Melatonin can increase blood pressure.\nYou have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Melatonin can increase blood glucose levels.\nYou drink caffeine. It can increase the level of melatonin in your body. This can make you drowsy and sedated a lot longer.\nMelatonin and children\nAnd while short-term melatonin appears safe for most children, there’s not enough research on melatonin and children. And long-term effects are unknown.\nOne concern is that because melatonin is a hormone, it may affect your child’s hormonal development, including puberty and menstruation. Before giving melatonin to children, talk their doctor or pediatrician.\nDrug and supplement interactions with melatonin\nMelatonin supplements can also interact with other medicines and supplements you take. Medication interactions can make one or both of the medications more or less effective or increase their side effects. Some common medications and supplements that interact with timed-release melatonin include:\nEchinacea.\nFluvoxamine.\nHormones, such as estrogens or hydroxyprogesterone.\nIfosfamide.\nPARP inhibitors, such as olaparib.\nSome quinolone antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin.\nMedications that increase sedation, including most antidepressants.\nAs with any supplement, there can be other concerns related to your health. So before starting any supplement, talk to your doctor to be sure it’s right for you.\nSources\nMelatonin: What You Need to Know. National Institute of Health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.\nLink\n.\nSleep Disorders. NCCIH.\nLink\n.\nBlue Light Has a Dark Side. Harvard Health.\nLInk\n.\nWhat Causes Nightmares. Sleep.org.\nLink\n.\nMelatonin. Merck Manuals.\nLink\n.\nMissing the Mark with Melatonin. American Academy of Sleep Medicine.\nLink\n.\nAlthough Safe for Most, Melatonin Causes Unexpected Interaction in Others. U.S. Pharmacist.\nLink\n.\nClinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Intrinsic Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: Advanced Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (ASWPD), Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD), Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (N24SWD), and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD). An Update for 2015. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.\nLink.\nMelatonin. StatPearls.\nLink.\nMelatonin Time-Release: Seven Things YOu Should Know. Drugs.com.\nLink\n.","attrs_markdown":"[![UPMC HealthBeat](https:\/\/share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/UPMC-logo_Health-Beat-200x29.png.webp)](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/ \"UPMC HealthBeat\")\n\nMenu Close Close\n\nBack\n\n- [Living and WellnessLiving and Wellness](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/wellness\/ \"Living and Wellness\")\n  - [Family HealthFamily Health](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/wellness\/family-health\/ \"Family Health\")\n  - [FitnessFitness](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/wellness\/fitness\/ \"Fitness\")\n  - [LGBTQIA+ HealthLGBTQIA+ Health](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/wellness\/lgbtq-health\/ \"LGBTQIA+ Health\")\n  - [Men's HealthMen’s Health](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/wellness\/men-health\/ \"Men's Health\")\n  - [New Here: Young Adult HealthNew Here: Young Adult Health](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/2023\/05\/health-care-guide-for-young-adults\/?template=campaign-newhere \"New Here: Young Adult Health\")\n  - 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[ConcussionConcussion](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/concussion\/ \"Concussion\")\n  - [TransplantTransplant](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/health-topics-a-z\/transplant\/ \"Transplant\")\n    - [Liver TransplantLiver Transplant](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/health-topics-a-z\/transplant\/liver-transplant\/ \"Liver Transplant\")\n    - [Kidney TransplantKidney Transplant](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/health-topics-a-z\/transplant\/kidney-transplant\/ \"Kidney Transplant\")\n  - [UrologyUrology](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/health-topics-a-z\/urology\/ \"Urology\")\n- [MoreMore](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/2022\/04\/melatonin-side-effects\/ \"More\")\n  - [UPMC HealthBeat en EspañolUPMC HealthBeat en Español](https:\/\/es-share.upmc.com\/ \"UPMC HealthBeat en Español\")\n  - [UPMC StoriesUPMC Stories](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/upmc-stories\/ \"UPMC Stories\")\n\n- [Like and Follow UPMC on Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/upmc \"Like and Follow UPMC on Facebook\")\n- [Follow UPMC on X (formerly Twitter)](https:\/\/twitter.com\/UPMC \"Follow UPMC on X (formerly Twitter)\")\n- [Follow UPMC on Pinterest](https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/upmc\/ \"Follow UPMC on Pinterest\")\n- [Follow UPMC on Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/upmchealthbeat\/ \"Follow UPMC on Instagram\")\n- [Follow UPMC on LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/upmc \"Follow UPMC on LinkedIn\")\n- [Follow UPMC HealthBeat on TikTok](https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@upmchealthbeat \"Follow UPMC HealthBeat on TikTok\")\n\n- [Find a DoctorFind a Doctor](https:\/\/providers.upmc.com\/ \"Find a Doctor\")\n- [Request AppointmentRequest Appointment](https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/contact\/appointments \"Request Appointment\")\n- [About UPMC HealthBeatEditorial Policy](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/about-healthbeat\/ \"About UPMC HealthBeat\")\n- [Our NewslettersOur Newsletters](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/email-preferences\/ \"Our Newsletters\")\n- [Visit UPMC.comVisit UPMC.com](https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/ \"Visit UPMC.com\")\n\n[UPMC HealthBeat en español](https:\/\/es-share.upmc.com\/)\n\n## [Sleep Health](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/category\/health-topics-a-z\/sleep-health\/)\n# Understanding Melatonin Side Effects\nApril 12, 2022\n\n4 Minute Read\n\n[Learn More About Our Editorial and Medical Review Policies.](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/about-healthbeat\/)\n\n![Understanding Melatonin Side Effect](https:\/\/share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1348610664.jpg)\n\nShare this on:[![Facebook](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Facebook](https:\/\/share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net\/wp-content\/plugins\/socialized\/assets\/images\/icon_facebook_32.png)](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com%2Fkhp2bvzc-f \"Share on 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Twitter)](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![X (formerly Twitter)](https:\/\/share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net\/wp-content\/plugins\/socialized\/assets\/images\/icon_x_twitter_32.png)](https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com%2Fkhp2bvzc-t&text=Understanding+Melatonin+Side+Effects&via=UPMC&related=UPMC%2CUPMCnews%2CUPMCMyHealth&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com \"Share on X (formerly Twitter)\")[![Email](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Email](https:\/\/share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net\/wp-content\/plugins\/socialized\/assets\/images\/icon_email_32.png)](<mailto:?subject=I%20thought%20you%20might%20like%20this%20article%3A%20Understanding Melatonin Side Effects&body=Melatonin%20is%20a%20hormone%20your%20brain%26%23039%3Bs%20pineal%20gland%20produces.%20It%26%23039%3Bs%20often%20called%20the%20sleep%20hormone.%20Learn%20more%20about%20melatonin.%20https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com%2Fkhp2bvzc-e> \"Forward via email\")[![Copy URL](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Copy URL](https:\/\/share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net\/wp-content\/plugins\/socialized\/assets\/images\/icon_link_32.png)](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/khp2bvzc-c \"Copy to clipboard\") Copied\\!\n\nIf you have jetlag or sleep problems, chances are someone has told you to take the dietary supplement known as melatonin. It’s a popular over-the-counter sleep aid. But should you?\n\nBefore you take melatonin, here’s what you should know.\n\n## What Is Melatonin?\nMelatonin is a hormone your brain’s pineal gland produces. It’s often called the sleep hormone because your brain produces it in response to darkness.\n\nMelatonin is also available as a synthetic dietary supplement. It comes in liquids, capsules, tablets, gummies, sprays, lozenges, and even chewing gum.\n\nMost melatonin supplements are immediate-release. That means that after you take them, they dissolve quickly into your bloodstream.\n\nThere are also timed-release or extended-release melatonin supplements. These dissolve more slowly, to mimic the release of natural melatonin.\n\n## Never Miss a Beat\\!\n### Subscribe to Our HealthBeat Newsletter\\!\n(Tap to Join!)(Click to Join!)\n\nI understand that by providing my email address, I agree to receive emails from UPMC. I understand that I may opt out of receiving such communications at any time.\n\nThank you for subscribing\\!\n\n[You can now select the specific newsletters you'd like to receive](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/email-preferences\/).\n\nYou are already subscribed.\n\n[Subscribe to more newsletters in our email preference center](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/email-preferences\/).\n\nSorry, an error occurred. Please try again later.\n\n[Or try our email preference center instead](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/email-preferences\/).\n### Get Healthy Tips Sent to Your Phone\\!\n## How Does Melatonin Work?\nMelatonin’s main function is to maintain your body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock. Your circadian rhythm is what controls your normal sleep-wake cycle.\n\nYour pineal gland releases melatonin at night, when it’s time to fall asleep, and blocks it in the morning, when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin is what makes you feel sleepy at night.\n\nThat’s what should happen. But melatonin levels can get out of sync, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Several things can disrupt your body’s melatonin levels:\n\n- Blue light from electronics or LED lights close to bedtime.\n- Shift work.\n- Jet lag.\n- Smoking.\n- Stress.\n- Not enough daylight during the day.\n- Aging.\n## Why Are Melatonin Supplements Used?\nMany people take melatonin supplements for insomnia. An [analysis](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3656905\/) of nine sleep studies found that melatonin can help you fall asleep 7 minutes faster. Because of the small benefits, the [American Academy of Sleep Medicine](https:\/\/aasm.org\/missing-the-mark-melatonin-finding-best-treatment-insomnia\/) (AASM) doesn’t recommend using melatonin to treat insomnia.\n\nAnd according to the [National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health](https:\/\/www.nccih.nih.gov\/health\/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know) (NCCIH), there’s not enough strong evidence on the effectiveness or safety of using melatonin for chronic insomnia.\n\nHowever, the [American Academy of Family Physicians](https:\/\/www.aafp.org\/afp\/2017\/0701\/p29.html) recommends using timed-release melatonin as a first-line therapy for older adults with insomnia.\n\nMelatonin supplements can potentially help with other conditions. According to NCCIH ongoing research suggests it’s helpful for the following:\n\n- Jet lag.\n- Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD).\n- Sleep problems in children.\n- Anxiety before and after surgery.\n\nThe [AASM Clinical Guidelines](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4582061\/) also recommend timed-release melatonin for the following conditions:\n\n- For the treatment of DSWPD.\n- For blind adults with non-24-sleep-wake disorder (N24SWD).\n- For children and teens with irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder (ISWRD) and comorbid neurological disorders.\n## Is Melatonin Safe?\nFor most adults, short-term use of melatonin is safe, according to the NCCIH. There’s not enough information on the safety of long-term use of melatonin.\n\n### What are melatonin side effects?\nMost side effects of melatonin are mild. Common melatonin side effects include:\n\n- Headache.\n- Dizziness.\n- Nausea.\n- Drowsiness.\n\nTimed-release melatonin can make you drowsy throughout the day, so use caution when driving or using heavy machinery.\n\nChildren taking melatonin can have additional side effects. These include:\n\n- Increased bedwetting or urination at night.\n- Agitation or irritability.\n### Melatonin nightmares\nSome people have reported experiencing bad or vivid dreams while on melatonin. But there’s no conclusive evidence that taking melatonin is what causes the nightmares.\n\nMelatonin supplements can increase [REM sleep](https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/Disorders\/Patient-Caregiver-Education\/Understanding-Sleep), which is the stage of sleep where you dream the most. So if the melatonin helps you fall into a deeper sleep, you might also experience more dreams — good and bad — than normal.\n\n### Safety precautions when taking melatonin\nAs a supplement, melatonin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat any condition. So, there are no standard dosing recommendations. Taking more than 5 mg of melatonin doesn’t work any better but increases your risk of side effects.\n\n#### People who should avoid or use caution when taking melatonin\nYou should avoid taking melatonin if:\n\n- You’re on warfarin or other blood thinners. Melatonin can increase the risk of bleeding in those on anticoagulants and antiplatelets.\n- You have epilepsy. Melatonin can decrease how well seizure medication works.\n- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There’s not enough research on the safety of melatonin use in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.\n- You’re trying to conceive. High doses can affect ovulation, making it difficult to get pregnant.\n- You’re an elderly person with dementia. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends against using melatonin because the supplement’s side effects are a serious concern in this group of people.\n\nYou should use caution when taking melatonin if:\n\n- You’re older. Melatonin stays in your body longer when you’re older and can lead to daytime drowsiness.\n- You have high blood pressure or are on blood pressure medication. Melatonin can increase blood pressure.\n- You have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Melatonin can increase blood glucose levels.\n- You drink caffeine. It can increase the level of melatonin in your body. This can make you drowsy and sedated a lot longer.\n#### Melatonin and children\nAnd while short-term melatonin appears safe for most children, there’s not enough research on melatonin and children. And long-term effects are unknown.\n\nOne concern is that because melatonin is a hormone, it may affect your child’s hormonal development, including puberty and menstruation. Before giving melatonin to children, talk their doctor or pediatrician.\n\n#### Drug and supplement interactions with melatonin\nMelatonin supplements can also interact with other medicines and supplements you take. Medication interactions can make one or both of the medications more or less effective or increase their side effects. Some common medications and supplements that interact with timed-release melatonin include:\n\n- Echinacea.\n- Fluvoxamine.\n- Hormones, such as estrogens or hydroxyprogesterone.\n- Ifosfamide.\n- PARP inhibitors, such as olaparib.\n- Some quinolone antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin.\n- Medications that increase sedation, including most antidepressants.\n\nAs with any supplement, there can be other concerns related to your health. So before starting any supplement, talk to your doctor to be sure it’s right for you.\n\n## Sources\nMelatonin: What You Need to Know. National Institute of Health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. [Link](https:\/\/www.nccih.nih.gov\/health\/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know).\n\nSleep Disorders. NCCIH. [Link](https:\/\/files.nccih.nih.gov\/s3fs-public\/Sleep_Disorders_12-01-2015.pdf).\n\nBlue Light Has a Dark Side. Harvard Health. [LInk](https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/blue-light-has-a-dark-side).\n\nWhat Causes Nightmares. Sleep.org. [Link](https:\/\/www.sleep.org\/causes-nightmares\/).\n\nMelatonin. Merck Manuals. [Link](https:\/\/www.merckmanuals.com\/professional\/special-subjects\/dietary-supplements\/melatonin).\n\nMissing the Mark with Melatonin. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. [Link](https:\/\/aasm.org\/missing-the-mark-melatonin-finding-best-treatment-insomnia\/).\n\nAlthough Safe for Most, Melatonin Causes Unexpected Interaction in Others. U.S. Pharmacist. [Link](https:\/\/www.uspharmacist.com\/article\/although-safe-for-most-melatonin-causes-unexpected-interactions-in-others).\n\nClinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Intrinsic Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: Advanced Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (ASWPD), Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD), Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (N24SWD), and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD). An Update for 2015. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. [Link.](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4582061\/)\n\nMelatonin. StatPearls. [Link.](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK534823\/)\n\nMelatonin Time-Release: Seven Things YOu Should Know. Drugs.com. [Link](https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/tips\/melatonin-time-release-patient-tips).\n\n## Connect with UPMC\n[Find a Doctor](https:\/\/providers.upmc.com\/)\n\n[Patient Portal](https:\/\/myupmc.upmc.com\/)\n\n[Request Appointment](https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/contact\/appointments)\n\n## About [Sleep Medicine](https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sleep-regions)\nMillions of Americans struggle with disorders that prevent them from getting a good night’s sleep. Better sleep can lead to better overall health, and the [UPMC Sleep Medicine Center](https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pulmonology\/our-services\/sleep-medicine) is here to help. We diagnose and treat numerous sleep conditions or disorders. We also provide help to people suffering from lack of sleep because of other health problems. We recognize a lack of sleep can cause problems during other times of the day, including alertness, memory, and health immunity. We hold sleep studies and lead clinical trials, all in the name of helping you sleep. 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I understand that I may opt out of receiving such communications at any time.\n\nThank you for subscribing\\!\n\n[You can now select the specific newsletters you'd like to receive](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/email-preferences\/).\n\nYou are already subscribed.\n\n[Subscribe to more newsletters in our email preference center](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/email-preferences\/).\n\nSorry, an error occurred. Please try again later.\n\n[Or try our email preference center instead](https:\/\/share.upmc.com\/email-preferences\/).\n\n![]() ![]()","attrs_readable_markdown":"If you have jetlag or sleep problems, chances are someone has told you to take the dietary supplement known as melatonin. It’s a popular over-the-counter sleep aid. But should you?\n\nBefore you take melatonin, here’s what you should know.\n\n## What Is Melatonin?\nMelatonin is a hormone your brain’s pineal gland produces. It’s often called the sleep hormone because your brain produces it in response to darkness.\n\nMelatonin is also available as a synthetic dietary supplement. It comes in liquids, capsules, tablets, gummies, sprays, lozenges, and even chewing gum.\n\nMost melatonin supplements are immediate-release. That means that after you take them, they dissolve quickly into your bloodstream.\n\nThere are also timed-release or extended-release melatonin supplements. These dissolve more slowly, to mimic the release of natural melatonin.\n\n## How Does Melatonin Work?\nMelatonin’s main function is to maintain your body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock. Your circadian rhythm is what controls your normal sleep-wake cycle.\n\nYour pineal gland releases melatonin at night, when it’s time to fall asleep, and blocks it in the morning, when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin is what makes you feel sleepy at night.\n\nThat’s what should happen. But melatonin levels can get out of sync, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Several things can disrupt your body’s melatonin levels:\n\n- Blue light from electronics or LED lights close to bedtime.\n- Shift work.\n- Jet lag.\n- Smoking.\n- Stress.\n- Not enough daylight during the day.\n- Aging.\n## Why Are Melatonin Supplements Used?\nMany people take melatonin supplements for insomnia. An [analysis](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3656905\/) of nine sleep studies found that melatonin can help you fall asleep 7 minutes faster. Because of the small benefits, the [American Academy of Sleep Medicine](https:\/\/aasm.org\/missing-the-mark-melatonin-finding-best-treatment-insomnia\/) (AASM) doesn’t recommend using melatonin to treat insomnia.\n\nAnd according to the [National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health](https:\/\/www.nccih.nih.gov\/health\/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know) (NCCIH), there’s not enough strong evidence on the effectiveness or safety of using melatonin for chronic insomnia.\n\nHowever, the [American Academy of Family Physicians](https:\/\/www.aafp.org\/afp\/2017\/0701\/p29.html) recommends using timed-release melatonin as a first-line therapy for older adults with insomnia.\n\nMelatonin supplements can potentially help with other conditions. According to NCCIH ongoing research suggests it’s helpful for the following:\n\n- Jet lag.\n- Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD).\n- Sleep problems in children.\n- Anxiety before and after surgery.\n\nThe [AASM Clinical Guidelines](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4582061\/) also recommend timed-release melatonin for the following conditions:\n\n- For the treatment of DSWPD.\n- For blind adults with non-24-sleep-wake disorder (N24SWD).\n- For children and teens with irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder (ISWRD) and comorbid neurological disorders.\n## Is Melatonin Safe?\nFor most adults, short-term use of melatonin is safe, according to the NCCIH. There’s not enough information on the safety of long-term use of melatonin.\n\n### What are melatonin side effects?\nMost side effects of melatonin are mild. Common melatonin side effects include:\n\n- Headache.\n- Dizziness.\n- Nausea.\n- Drowsiness.\n\nTimed-release melatonin can make you drowsy throughout the day, so use caution when driving or using heavy machinery.\n\nChildren taking melatonin can have additional side effects. These include:\n\n- Increased bedwetting or urination at night.\n- Agitation or irritability.\n### Melatonin nightmares\nSome people have reported experiencing bad or vivid dreams while on melatonin. But there’s no conclusive evidence that taking melatonin is what causes the nightmares.\n\nMelatonin supplements can increase [REM sleep](https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/Disorders\/Patient-Caregiver-Education\/Understanding-Sleep), which is the stage of sleep where you dream the most. So if the melatonin helps you fall into a deeper sleep, you might also experience more dreams — good and bad — than normal.\n\n### Safety precautions when taking melatonin\nAs a supplement, melatonin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat any condition. So, there are no standard dosing recommendations. Taking more than 5 mg of melatonin doesn’t work any better but increases your risk of side effects.\n\n#### People who should avoid or use caution when taking melatonin\nYou should avoid taking melatonin if:\n\n- You’re on warfarin or other blood thinners. Melatonin can increase the risk of bleeding in those on anticoagulants and antiplatelets.\n- You have epilepsy. Melatonin can decrease how well seizure medication works.\n- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There’s not enough research on the safety of melatonin use in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.\n- You’re trying to conceive. High doses can affect ovulation, making it difficult to get pregnant.\n- You’re an elderly person with dementia. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends against using melatonin because the supplement’s side effects are a serious concern in this group of people.\n\nYou should use caution when taking melatonin if:\n\n- You’re older. Melatonin stays in your body longer when you’re older and can lead to daytime drowsiness.\n- You have high blood pressure or are on blood pressure medication. Melatonin can increase blood pressure.\n- You have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Melatonin can increase blood glucose levels.\n- You drink caffeine. It can increase the level of melatonin in your body. This can make you drowsy and sedated a lot longer.\n#### Melatonin and children\nAnd while short-term melatonin appears safe for most children, there’s not enough research on melatonin and children. And long-term effects are unknown.\n\nOne concern is that because melatonin is a hormone, it may affect your child’s hormonal development, including puberty and menstruation. Before giving melatonin to children, talk their doctor or pediatrician.\n\n#### Drug and supplement interactions with melatonin\nMelatonin supplements can also interact with other medicines and supplements you take. Medication interactions can make one or both of the medications more or less effective or increase their side effects. Some common medications and supplements that interact with timed-release melatonin include:\n\n- Echinacea.\n- Fluvoxamine.\n- Hormones, such as estrogens or hydroxyprogesterone.\n- Ifosfamide.\n- PARP inhibitors, such as olaparib.\n- Some quinolone antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin.\n- Medications that increase sedation, including most antidepressants.\n\nAs with any supplement, there can be other concerns related to your health. So before starting any supplement, talk to your doctor to be sure it’s right for you.\n\n## Sources\nMelatonin: What You Need to Know. National Institute of Health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. [Link](https:\/\/www.nccih.nih.gov\/health\/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know).\n\nSleep Disorders. NCCIH. [Link](https:\/\/files.nccih.nih.gov\/s3fs-public\/Sleep_Disorders_12-01-2015.pdf).\n\nBlue Light Has a Dark Side. Harvard Health. [LInk](https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/blue-light-has-a-dark-side).\n\nWhat Causes Nightmares. Sleep.org. [Link](https:\/\/www.sleep.org\/causes-nightmares\/).\n\nMelatonin. Merck Manuals. [Link](https:\/\/www.merckmanuals.com\/professional\/special-subjects\/dietary-supplements\/melatonin).\n\nMissing the Mark with Melatonin. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. [Link](https:\/\/aasm.org\/missing-the-mark-melatonin-finding-best-treatment-insomnia\/).\n\nAlthough Safe for Most, Melatonin Causes Unexpected Interaction in Others. U.S. Pharmacist. [Link](https:\/\/www.uspharmacist.com\/article\/although-safe-for-most-melatonin-causes-unexpected-interactions-in-others).\n\nClinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Intrinsic Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: Advanced Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (ASWPD), Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD), Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (N24SWD), and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD). An Update for 2015. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. [Link.](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4582061\/)\n\nMelatonin. StatPearls. [Link.](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK534823\/)\n\nMelatonin Time-Release: Seven Things YOu Should Know. Drugs.com. [Link](https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/tips\/melatonin-time-release-patient-tips).","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Description	Melatonin is a hormone your brain's pineal gland produces. It's often called the sleep hormone. Learn more about melatonin.
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Boilerpipe Text	If you have jetlag or sleep problems, chances are someone has told you to take the dietary supplement known as melatonin. It’s a popular over-the-counter sleep aid. But should you? Before you take melatonin, here’s what you should know. What Is Melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone your brain’s pineal gland produces. It’s often called the sleep hormone because your brain produces it in response to darkness. Melatonin is also available as a synthetic dietary supplement. It comes in liquids, capsules, tablets, gummies, sprays, lozenges, and even chewing gum. Most melatonin supplements are immediate-release. That means that after you take them, they dissolve quickly into your bloodstream. There are also timed-release or extended-release melatonin supplements. These dissolve more slowly, to mimic the release of natural melatonin. How Does Melatonin Work? Melatonin’s main function is to maintain your body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock. Your circadian rhythm is what controls your normal sleep-wake cycle. Your pineal gland releases melatonin at night, when it’s time to fall asleep, and blocks it in the morning, when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin is what makes you feel sleepy at night. That’s what should happen. But melatonin levels can get out of sync, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Several things can disrupt your body’s melatonin levels: Blue light from electronics or LED lights close to bedtime. Shift work. Jet lag. Smoking. Stress. Not enough daylight during the day. Aging. Why Are Melatonin Supplements Used? Many people take melatonin supplements for insomnia. An analysis of nine sleep studies found that melatonin can help you fall asleep 7 minutes faster. Because of the small benefits, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) doesn’t recommend using melatonin to treat insomnia. And according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there’s not enough strong evidence on the effectiveness or safety of using melatonin for chronic insomnia. However, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends using timed-release melatonin as a first-line therapy for older adults with insomnia. Melatonin supplements can potentially help with other conditions. According to NCCIH ongoing research suggests it’s helpful for the following: Jet lag. Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD). Sleep problems in children. Anxiety before and after surgery. The AASM Clinical Guidelines also recommend timed-release melatonin for the following conditions: For the treatment of DSWPD. For blind adults with non-24-sleep-wake disorder (N24SWD). For children and teens with irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder (ISWRD) and comorbid neurological disorders. Is Melatonin Safe? For most adults, short-term use of melatonin is safe, according to the NCCIH. There’s not enough information on the safety of long-term use of melatonin. What are melatonin side effects? Most side effects of melatonin are mild. Common melatonin side effects include: Headache. Dizziness. Nausea. Drowsiness. Timed-release melatonin can make you drowsy throughout the day, so use caution when driving or using heavy machinery. Children taking melatonin can have additional side effects. These include: Increased bedwetting or urination at night. Agitation or irritability. Melatonin nightmares Some people have reported experiencing bad or vivid dreams while on melatonin. But there’s no conclusive evidence that taking melatonin is what causes the nightmares. Melatonin supplements can increase REM sleep , which is the stage of sleep where you dream the most. So if the melatonin helps you fall into a deeper sleep, you might also experience more dreams — good and bad — than normal. Safety precautions when taking melatonin As a supplement, melatonin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat any condition. So, there are no standard dosing recommendations. Taking more than 5 mg of melatonin doesn’t work any better but increases your risk of side effects. People who should avoid or use caution when taking melatonin You should avoid taking melatonin if: You’re on warfarin or other blood thinners. Melatonin can increase the risk of bleeding in those on anticoagulants and antiplatelets. You have epilepsy. Melatonin can decrease how well seizure medication works. You’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There’s not enough research on the safety of melatonin use in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. You’re trying to conceive. High doses can affect ovulation, making it difficult to get pregnant. You’re an elderly person with dementia. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends against using melatonin because the supplement’s side effects are a serious concern in this group of people. You should use caution when taking melatonin if: You’re older. Melatonin stays in your body longer when you’re older and can lead to daytime drowsiness. You have high blood pressure or are on blood pressure medication. Melatonin can increase blood pressure. You have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Melatonin can increase blood glucose levels. You drink caffeine. It can increase the level of melatonin in your body. This can make you drowsy and sedated a lot longer. Melatonin and children And while short-term melatonin appears safe for most children, there’s not enough research on melatonin and children. And long-term effects are unknown. One concern is that because melatonin is a hormone, it may affect your child’s hormonal development, including puberty and menstruation. Before giving melatonin to children, talk their doctor or pediatrician. Drug and supplement interactions with melatonin Melatonin supplements can also interact with other medicines and supplements you take. Medication interactions can make one or both of the medications more or less effective or increase their side effects. Some common medications and supplements that interact with timed-release melatonin include: Echinacea. Fluvoxamine. Hormones, such as estrogens or hydroxyprogesterone. Ifosfamide. PARP inhibitors, such as olaparib. Some quinolone antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin. Medications that increase sedation, including most antidepressants. As with any supplement, there can be other concerns related to your health. So before starting any supplement, talk to your doctor to be sure it’s right for you. Sources Melatonin: What You Need to Know. National Institute of Health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Link . Sleep Disorders. NCCIH. Link . Blue Light Has a Dark Side. Harvard Health. LInk . What Causes Nightmares. Sleep.org. Link . Melatonin. Merck Manuals. Link . Missing the Mark with Melatonin. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Link . Although Safe for Most, Melatonin Causes Unexpected Interaction in Others. U.S. Pharmacist. Link . Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Intrinsic Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: Advanced Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (ASWPD), Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD), Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (N24SWD), and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD). An Update for 2015. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Link. Melatonin. StatPearls. Link. Melatonin Time-Release: Seven Things YOu Should Know. Drugs.com. Link .
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[Our NewslettersOur Newsletters](https://share.upmc.com/email-preferences/ "Our Newsletters") - [Visit UPMC.comVisit UPMC.com](https://www.upmc.com/ "Visit UPMC.com") [UPMC HealthBeat en español](https://es-share.upmc.com/) ## [Sleep Health](https://share.upmc.com/category/health-topics-a-z/sleep-health/) # Understanding Melatonin Side Effects April 12, 2022 4 Minute Read [Learn More About Our Editorial and Medical Review Policies.](https://share.upmc.com/about-healthbeat/) ![Understanding Melatonin Side Effect](https://share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/GettyImages-1348610664.jpg) Share this on:[![Facebook](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Facebook](https://share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net/wp-content/plugins/socialized/assets/images/icon_facebook_32.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com%2Fkhp2bvzc-f "Share on Facebook")[![LinkedIn](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![LinkedIn](https://share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net/wp-content/plugins/socialized/assets/images/icon_linkedin_32.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com%2Fkhp2bvzc-l "Share on LinkedIn")[![Pinterest](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Pinterest](https://share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net/wp-content/plugins/socialized/assets/images/icon_pinterest_32.png)](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com%2Fkhp2bvzc-p&media=https://share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/GettyImages-1348610664.jpg&description=Understanding+Melatonin+Side+Effects "Share on Pinterest")[![X (formerly Twitter)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![X (formerly Twitter)](https://share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net/wp-content/plugins/socialized/assets/images/icon_x_twitter_32.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com%2Fkhp2bvzc-t&text=Understanding+Melatonin+Side+Effects&via=UPMC&related=UPMC%2CUPMCnews%2CUPMCMyHealth&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com "Share on X (formerly Twitter)")[![Email](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Email](https://share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net/wp-content/plugins/socialized/assets/images/icon_email_32.png)](<mailto:?subject=I%20thought%20you%20might%20like%20this%20article%3A%20Understanding Melatonin Side Effects&body=Melatonin%20is%20a%20hormone%20your%20brain%26%23039%3Bs%20pineal%20gland%20produces.%20It%26%23039%3Bs%20often%20called%20the%20sleep%20hormone.%20Learn%20more%20about%20melatonin.%20https%3A%2F%2Fshare.upmc.com%2Fkhp2bvzc-e> "Forward via email")[![Copy URL](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgAQMAAABJtOi3AAAAA1BMVEUAAACnej3aAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAtJREFUCB1jGOQAAACgAAGXmq1SAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)![Copy URL](https://share-cdn-prod.azureedge.net/wp-content/plugins/socialized/assets/images/icon_link_32.png)](https://share.upmc.com/khp2bvzc-c "Copy to clipboard") Copied\! If you have jetlag or sleep problems, chances are someone has told you to take the dietary supplement known as melatonin. It’s a popular over-the-counter sleep aid. But should you? Before you take melatonin, here’s what you should know. ## What Is Melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone your brain’s pineal gland produces. It’s often called the sleep hormone because your brain produces it in response to darkness. Melatonin is also available as a synthetic dietary supplement. It comes in liquids, capsules, tablets, gummies, sprays, lozenges, and even chewing gum. Most melatonin supplements are immediate-release. That means that after you take them, they dissolve quickly into your bloodstream. There are also timed-release or extended-release melatonin supplements. These dissolve more slowly, to mimic the release of natural melatonin. ## Never Miss a Beat\! ### Subscribe to Our HealthBeat Newsletter\! (Tap to Join!)(Click to Join!) I understand that by providing my email address, I agree to receive emails from UPMC. I understand that I may opt out of receiving such communications at any time. Thank you for subscribing\! [You can now select the specific newsletters you'd like to receive](https://share.upmc.com/email-preferences/). You are already subscribed. [Subscribe to more newsletters in our email preference center](https://share.upmc.com/email-preferences/). Sorry, an error occurred. Please try again later. [Or try our email preference center instead](https://share.upmc.com/email-preferences/). ### Get Healthy Tips Sent to Your Phone\! ## How Does Melatonin Work? Melatonin’s main function is to maintain your body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock. Your circadian rhythm is what controls your normal sleep-wake cycle. Your pineal gland releases melatonin at night, when it’s time to fall asleep, and blocks it in the morning, when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin is what makes you feel sleepy at night. That’s what should happen. But melatonin levels can get out of sync, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Several things can disrupt your body’s melatonin levels: - Blue light from electronics or LED lights close to bedtime. - Shift work. - Jet lag. - Smoking. - Stress. - Not enough daylight during the day. - Aging. ## Why Are Melatonin Supplements Used? Many people take melatonin supplements for insomnia. An [analysis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3656905/) of nine sleep studies found that melatonin can help you fall asleep 7 minutes faster. Because of the small benefits, the [American Academy of Sleep Medicine](https://aasm.org/missing-the-mark-melatonin-finding-best-treatment-insomnia/) (AASM) doesn’t recommend using melatonin to treat insomnia. And according to the [National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know) (NCCIH), there’s not enough strong evidence on the effectiveness or safety of using melatonin for chronic insomnia. However, the [American Academy of Family Physicians](https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0701/p29.html) recommends using timed-release melatonin as a first-line therapy for older adults with insomnia. Melatonin supplements can potentially help with other conditions. According to NCCIH ongoing research suggests it’s helpful for the following: - Jet lag. - Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD). - Sleep problems in children. - Anxiety before and after surgery. The [AASM Clinical Guidelines](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4582061/) also recommend timed-release melatonin for the following conditions: - For the treatment of DSWPD. - For blind adults with non-24-sleep-wake disorder (N24SWD). - For children and teens with irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder (ISWRD) and comorbid neurological disorders. ## Is Melatonin Safe? For most adults, short-term use of melatonin is safe, according to the NCCIH. There’s not enough information on the safety of long-term use of melatonin. ### What are melatonin side effects? Most side effects of melatonin are mild. Common melatonin side effects include: - Headache. - Dizziness. - Nausea. - Drowsiness. Timed-release melatonin can make you drowsy throughout the day, so use caution when driving or using heavy machinery. Children taking melatonin can have additional side effects. These include: - Increased bedwetting or urination at night. - Agitation or irritability. ### Melatonin nightmares Some people have reported experiencing bad or vivid dreams while on melatonin. But there’s no conclusive evidence that taking melatonin is what causes the nightmares. Melatonin supplements can increase [REM sleep](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep), which is the stage of sleep where you dream the most. So if the melatonin helps you fall into a deeper sleep, you might also experience more dreams — good and bad — than normal. ### Safety precautions when taking melatonin As a supplement, melatonin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat any condition. So, there are no standard dosing recommendations. Taking more than 5 mg of melatonin doesn’t work any better but increases your risk of side effects. #### People who should avoid or use caution when taking melatonin You should avoid taking melatonin if: - You’re on warfarin or other blood thinners. Melatonin can increase the risk of bleeding in those on anticoagulants and antiplatelets. - You have epilepsy. Melatonin can decrease how well seizure medication works. - You’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There’s not enough research on the safety of melatonin use in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. - You’re trying to conceive. High doses can affect ovulation, making it difficult to get pregnant. - You’re an elderly person with dementia. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends against using melatonin because the supplement’s side effects are a serious concern in this group of people. You should use caution when taking melatonin if: - You’re older. Melatonin stays in your body longer when you’re older and can lead to daytime drowsiness. - You have high blood pressure or are on blood pressure medication. Melatonin can increase blood pressure. - You have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Melatonin can increase blood glucose levels. - You drink caffeine. It can increase the level of melatonin in your body. This can make you drowsy and sedated a lot longer. #### Melatonin and children And while short-term melatonin appears safe for most children, there’s not enough research on melatonin and children. And long-term effects are unknown. One concern is that because melatonin is a hormone, it may affect your child’s hormonal development, including puberty and menstruation. Before giving melatonin to children, talk their doctor or pediatrician. #### Drug and supplement interactions with melatonin Melatonin supplements can also interact with other medicines and supplements you take. Medication interactions can make one or both of the medications more or less effective or increase their side effects. Some common medications and supplements that interact with timed-release melatonin include: - Echinacea. - Fluvoxamine. - Hormones, such as estrogens or hydroxyprogesterone. - Ifosfamide. - PARP inhibitors, such as olaparib. - Some quinolone antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin. - Medications that increase sedation, including most antidepressants. As with any supplement, there can be other concerns related to your health. So before starting any supplement, talk to your doctor to be sure it’s right for you. ## Sources Melatonin: What You Need to Know. National Institute of Health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. [Link](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know). Sleep Disorders. NCCIH. [Link](https://files.nccih.nih.gov/s3fs-public/Sleep_Disorders_12-01-2015.pdf). Blue Light Has a Dark Side. Harvard Health. [LInk](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side). What Causes Nightmares. Sleep.org. [Link](https://www.sleep.org/causes-nightmares/). Melatonin. Merck Manuals. [Link](https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/dietary-supplements/melatonin). Missing the Mark with Melatonin. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. [Link](https://aasm.org/missing-the-mark-melatonin-finding-best-treatment-insomnia/). Although Safe for Most, Melatonin Causes Unexpected Interaction in Others. U.S. Pharmacist. [Link](https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/although-safe-for-most-melatonin-causes-unexpected-interactions-in-others). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Intrinsic Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: Advanced Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (ASWPD), Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD), Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (N24SWD), and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD). An Update for 2015. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. [Link.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4582061/) Melatonin. StatPearls. [Link.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534823/) Melatonin Time-Release: Seven Things YOu Should Know. Drugs.com. [Link](https://www.drugs.com/tips/melatonin-time-release-patient-tips). ## Connect with UPMC [Find a Doctor](https://providers.upmc.com/) [Patient Portal](https://myupmc.upmc.com/) [Request Appointment](https://www.upmc.com/contact/appointments) ## About [Sleep Medicine](https://www.upmc.com/services/sleep-regions) Millions of Americans struggle with disorders that prevent them from getting a good night’s sleep. Better sleep can lead to better overall health, and the [UPMC Sleep Medicine Center](https://www.upmc.com/services/pulmonology/our-services/sleep-medicine) is here to help. We diagnose and treat numerous sleep conditions or disorders. We also provide help to people suffering from lack of sleep because of other health problems. We recognize a lack of sleep can cause problems during other times of the day, including alertness, memory, and health immunity. We hold sleep studies and lead clinical trials, all in the name of helping you sleep. [Find a provider near you.](https://providers.upmc.com/search?unified=sleep%20medicine&sort=networks%2Crelevance%2Cavailability_density_best) ## Never Miss a Beat\! ### Subscribe to our HealthBeat Newsletter. Enter your email to subscribe to our free health and wellness email list. I understand that by providing my email address, I agree to receive emails from UPMC. I understand that I may opt out of receiving such communications at any time. Thank you for subscribing\! [You can now select the specific newsletters you'd like to receive](https://share.upmc.com/email-preferences/). You are already subscribed. 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Readable Markdown	If you have jetlag or sleep problems, chances are someone has told you to take the dietary supplement known as melatonin. It’s a popular over-the-counter sleep aid. But should you? Before you take melatonin, here’s what you should know. ## What Is Melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone your brain’s pineal gland produces. It’s often called the sleep hormone because your brain produces it in response to darkness. Melatonin is also available as a synthetic dietary supplement. It comes in liquids, capsules, tablets, gummies, sprays, lozenges, and even chewing gum. Most melatonin supplements are immediate-release. That means that after you take them, they dissolve quickly into your bloodstream. There are also timed-release or extended-release melatonin supplements. These dissolve more slowly, to mimic the release of natural melatonin. ## How Does Melatonin Work? Melatonin’s main function is to maintain your body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock. Your circadian rhythm is what controls your normal sleep-wake cycle. Your pineal gland releases melatonin at night, when it’s time to fall asleep, and blocks it in the morning, when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin is what makes you feel sleepy at night. That’s what should happen. But melatonin levels can get out of sync, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Several things can disrupt your body’s melatonin levels: - Blue light from electronics or LED lights close to bedtime. - Shift work. - Jet lag. - Smoking. - Stress. - Not enough daylight during the day. - Aging. ## Why Are Melatonin Supplements Used? Many people take melatonin supplements for insomnia. An [analysis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3656905/) of nine sleep studies found that melatonin can help you fall asleep 7 minutes faster. Because of the small benefits, the [American Academy of Sleep Medicine](https://aasm.org/missing-the-mark-melatonin-finding-best-treatment-insomnia/) (AASM) doesn’t recommend using melatonin to treat insomnia. And according to the [National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know) (NCCIH), there’s not enough strong evidence on the effectiveness or safety of using melatonin for chronic insomnia. However, the [American Academy of Family Physicians](https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0701/p29.html) recommends using timed-release melatonin as a first-line therapy for older adults with insomnia. Melatonin supplements can potentially help with other conditions. According to NCCIH ongoing research suggests it’s helpful for the following: - Jet lag. - Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD). - Sleep problems in children. - Anxiety before and after surgery. The [AASM Clinical Guidelines](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4582061/) also recommend timed-release melatonin for the following conditions: - For the treatment of DSWPD. - For blind adults with non-24-sleep-wake disorder (N24SWD). - For children and teens with irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder (ISWRD) and comorbid neurological disorders. ## Is Melatonin Safe? For most adults, short-term use of melatonin is safe, according to the NCCIH. There’s not enough information on the safety of long-term use of melatonin. ### What are melatonin side effects? Most side effects of melatonin are mild. Common melatonin side effects include: - Headache. - Dizziness. - Nausea. - Drowsiness. Timed-release melatonin can make you drowsy throughout the day, so use caution when driving or using heavy machinery. Children taking melatonin can have additional side effects. These include: - Increased bedwetting or urination at night. - Agitation or irritability. ### Melatonin nightmares Some people have reported experiencing bad or vivid dreams while on melatonin. But there’s no conclusive evidence that taking melatonin is what causes the nightmares. Melatonin supplements can increase [REM sleep](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep), which is the stage of sleep where you dream the most. So if the melatonin helps you fall into a deeper sleep, you might also experience more dreams — good and bad — than normal. ### Safety precautions when taking melatonin As a supplement, melatonin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat any condition. So, there are no standard dosing recommendations. Taking more than 5 mg of melatonin doesn’t work any better but increases your risk of side effects. #### People who should avoid or use caution when taking melatonin You should avoid taking melatonin if: - You’re on warfarin or other blood thinners. Melatonin can increase the risk of bleeding in those on anticoagulants and antiplatelets. - You have epilepsy. Melatonin can decrease how well seizure medication works. - You’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There’s not enough research on the safety of melatonin use in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. - You’re trying to conceive. High doses can affect ovulation, making it difficult to get pregnant. - You’re an elderly person with dementia. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends against using melatonin because the supplement’s side effects are a serious concern in this group of people. You should use caution when taking melatonin if: - You’re older. Melatonin stays in your body longer when you’re older and can lead to daytime drowsiness. - You have high blood pressure or are on blood pressure medication. Melatonin can increase blood pressure. - You have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Melatonin can increase blood glucose levels. - You drink caffeine. It can increase the level of melatonin in your body. This can make you drowsy and sedated a lot longer. #### Melatonin and children And while short-term melatonin appears safe for most children, there’s not enough research on melatonin and children. And long-term effects are unknown. One concern is that because melatonin is a hormone, it may affect your child’s hormonal development, including puberty and menstruation. Before giving melatonin to children, talk their doctor or pediatrician. #### Drug and supplement interactions with melatonin Melatonin supplements can also interact with other medicines and supplements you take. Medication interactions can make one or both of the medications more or less effective or increase their side effects. Some common medications and supplements that interact with timed-release melatonin include: - Echinacea. - Fluvoxamine. - Hormones, such as estrogens or hydroxyprogesterone. - Ifosfamide. - PARP inhibitors, such as olaparib. - Some quinolone antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin. - Medications that increase sedation, including most antidepressants. As with any supplement, there can be other concerns related to your health. So before starting any supplement, talk to your doctor to be sure it’s right for you. ## Sources Melatonin: What You Need to Know. National Institute of Health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. [Link](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know). Sleep Disorders. NCCIH. [Link](https://files.nccih.nih.gov/s3fs-public/Sleep_Disorders_12-01-2015.pdf). Blue Light Has a Dark Side. Harvard Health. [LInk](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side). What Causes Nightmares. Sleep.org. [Link](https://www.sleep.org/causes-nightmares/). Melatonin. Merck Manuals. [Link](https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/dietary-supplements/melatonin). Missing the Mark with Melatonin. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. [Link](https://aasm.org/missing-the-mark-melatonin-finding-best-treatment-insomnia/). Although Safe for Most, Melatonin Causes Unexpected Interaction in Others. U.S. Pharmacist. [Link](https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/although-safe-for-most-melatonin-causes-unexpected-interactions-in-others). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Intrinsic Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: Advanced Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (ASWPD), Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD), Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (N24SWD), and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD). An Update for 2015. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. [Link.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4582061/) Melatonin. StatPearls. [Link.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534823/) Melatonin Time-Release: Seven Things YOu Should Know. Drugs.com. [Link](https://www.drugs.com/tips/melatonin-time-release-patient-tips).
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