Melatonin

Melatonin is used for sleep disorders such as difficulty sleeping (insomnia) and jet lag. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the use.

Use Melatonin as directed by your doctor.

• Use as directed on the package, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
• Melatonin is usually taken 2 hours before bedtime for insomnia. Results may be seen within 30 minutes, but it may take 1 to 3 days for the effects to be noticed.

Melatonin is a hormone product. It works by regulating the body's sleep cycles.

If you miss taking a dose of Melatonin for 1 or more days, there is no cause for concern. If your doctor recommended that you take it, try to remember your dose every day.

Store Melatonin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Melatonin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Do not use Melatonin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Melatonin;
• you are taking immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), or nifedipine;
• you have a history of immune system disorders, liver disease, or stroke.

• Melatonin may cause drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this product. Using this product alone, with certain other medicines or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking this product. This product will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for any medical condition. The long-term safety of dietary supplements is not known. Before using any alternative medicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not use this product if you plan to become pregnant. It may have a contraceptive effect. Melatonin is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this product. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• change in sleep pattern; headache.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; depression; fast heartbeat; hypothermia (fast breathing, shivering).
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  Melatonin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.