Yellow Dog Productions / Getty Images
Is Melatonin Safe?
For most healthy adults, it is safe to usemelatoninas a sleep aid for about one to two months.
For Infants
There is a lack of research on how melatonin affects infants.
Yellow Dog Productions / Getty Images
When considering melatonin for an infant, it is critical to work with your childs healthcare provider.
The first step is to initiate a healthysleep scheduleand routine before trying a sleep aid.
Its important to remember that infants are still learning how to sleep on aregular schedule.
Infants need about 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day.
For Babies and Children
Melatonin is apopular supplementfor children.
When using melatonin for a child, always keep the supplement out of reach and locked away.
The long-term effects and risks of melatonin use in children are not known.
Because melatonin is a hormone, regular use over time may affect a childs hormonal development.
Adolescence and Young Adults
Melatonin use is relatively common in adolescents and young adults.
This increase was likely related to the increased use among children and adolescents.
Talk with your childs healthcare provider before starting melatonin.
Using melatonin may increase the risk of accidental or intentionaloverdose in adolescents.
Pregnancy
Melatonin has not been adequately studied in pregnant andbreastfeedingpeople to determine if it is safe.
Do not use melatonin duringpregnancyor breastfeeding without talking with your healthcare provider.
Older Adults
Older adults may turn to melatonin fortrouble sleepingas they age.
Its important to remember that melatonin may affect older adults differently than younger adults.
Melatonin is not recommended for people withdementia.
Regulation Concerns
Melatonin is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a supplement.
This means it is not as strictly regulated as prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Side Effects
Possible side effects of melatonin include:
Can You Develop a Melatonin Dependency?
Melatonin does not cause physical dependency.However, it is not meant to be used long term.
Talk with your healthcare provider about other options if you have been using melatonin for one to two months.
Melatonin is not safe for people with anautoimmune disorder, aseizuredisorder, ordepression.
It is also not considered safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not take melatonin if you are currently taking a blood thinner such as Jantoven (warfarin).
It can also be taken as a supplement to help with sleep.
Melatonin is safe for most healthy adults to use for a short period.
Melatonin can safely be used in many babies and children but should be closely monitored by a healthcare provider.
Possible side effects of melatonin include drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, agitation, nausea, and bed-wetting.
The FDA regulates melatonin as a supplement.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you are considering trying melatonin as a sleep aid.
Talk with your healthcare provider about how much melatonin to take.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Melatonin for sleep: Does it work?
2021;2021:6308255. doi:10.1155/2021/6308255
Janjua I, Goldman RD.Sleep-related melatonin use in healthy children.Can Fam Physician.
2016;62(4):315-317.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pediatric melatonin ingestions United States, 20122021.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Health advisory: Melatonin use in children and adolescents.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Information for consumers on using dietary supplements.
