Melatonin - Oral

Melatonin is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty sleeping).

This medicine is also used for the short-term treatment of jet lag (a temporary sleep problem that affects a person who quickly travels across multiple time zones).

Melatonin may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Melatonin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about whether you should take this medicine with or without food. Different preparations of Melatonin may be taken differently.

This medicine is available as a conventional capsule, prolonged-release tablet, or as an oral solution.

If you are taking the conventional capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water.

If you are taking the prolonged-release type of tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet.

If you have been given the oral solution, use the oral syringe supplied with each bottle to measure out your dose.

The dose of Melatonin will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and your response to the medication.

Do not take Melatonin for a longer period than instructed by your doctor. Inform your doctor if this medicine does not seem to help you.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• autoimmune disease (condition wherein your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues in the body)
• epilepsy (fits or seizures)
• liver disease
• kidney disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Melatonin to a child. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Inform your doctor if you smoke, as cigarette smoking may reduce the effect of Melatonin.

Practice good sleeping habits to reduce reliance on sleeping pills. These are some good sleeping habits which you should follow:

• Try to relax before bedtime. Do not engage in strenuous activities.
• Try to go to bed at about the same time every night.
• Have a light dinner. A heavy dinner may disturb your sleep.
• Avoid caffeine in the evening. Caffeine-containing food and drinks include coffee, tea, certain soft drinks and even chocolate.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.
• Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and airy.
• Avoid taking naps, especially in the late afternoon.

Melatonin may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

Other side effects include any of the following: headache, stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, mouth ulcers, itching, rash, and dry skin.

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• fluvoxamine (medicine to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, a disorder characterised by an uncontrollable urge to do repetitive and ritualised behaviours)
• other medicines for sleep disorder e.g. zolpidem, zopiclone, zaleplon, midazolam, temazepam
• certain antibiotics
• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for certain skin problems e.g. 5-methoxypsoralen, methoxsalen
• rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, an infection known as tuberculosis)
• cimetidine (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)
• warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
• birth control pills

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Melatonin.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the drowsiness caused by Melatonin.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.