According to the Mayo Clinic, prescription sleeping drugs that are occasionally used to treat insomnia can have some serious adverse effects, including addiction, hallucinations, and protracted lethargy. The U.S. in 2019 Eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien) are some of the sleeping pills that have had a black box warning added to the packaging by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to the dangers of sleepwalking, sleep driving, and engaging in other activities while not fully awake, which have led to deaths among patients taking the medication.
Melatonin is regarded as a safer alternative because there is no proof that such hazards exist. But it’s important to remember that, in contrast to prescription medications, melatonin hasn’t been subjected to as many FDA tests or regulations because it’s a supplement.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common adverse effects of melatonin consumption include headache, nausea, dizziness, and sleepiness. Depression, anxiety, bewilderment, and disorientation are less frequent side effects. Additionally, melatonin can interact potentially harmfully with a wide range of pharmaceuticals, including blood pressure and diabetic medications, oral contraceptives, blood thinners, and several antidepressants.
According to David Neubauer, MD, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, those side effects are predicated on brief consumption at low doses. He adds that many individuals nowadays are taking bigger amounts for longer periods of time.
One recent study reveals that many trials that showed melatonin to be safe and helpful looked at doses of no more than 5 to 10 mg at most.
Low doses are normally best, according to Dr. Neubauer. He continues, “People should be taking amounts as low as 0.5 milligrams to start with, and no more than 3 milligrams at most.”
According to Muhammad Rishi, MD, an expert in sleep disorders at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, anyone thinking about using melatonin should still consult their doctor first.
According to Dr. Rishi, the usage of melatonin must be under the supervision of a doctor who has experience treating sleep disturbances. Melatonin can be taken responsibly, just like any other medication, but there can also be negative effects if it isn’t. Read on to check out the 7 Melatonin Errors Doctors Want You to Avoid.