Beware of the Side Effects of Melatonin as a Sleeping Medicine

Melatonin supplements are often used to treat complaints of insomnia. Although generally safe, side effects of melatonin can occur when used long-term or at the wrong dose. Instead of making you sleep soundly, the effect can actually disrupt sleep.

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain at night. This hormone plays a role in regulating circadian rhythms or the wake and sleep cycle, so you fall asleep more easily at night. Thanks to this, melatonin in supplement form is often used to treat insomnia.

Beware of the Side Effects of Melatonin as a Sleeping Medicine

Despite its benefits, inappropriate use of melatonin as a sleeping pill can have a negative effect on the body. Therefore, before taking this drug, it would be nice to know the benefits and side effects of melatonin first.

The Benefits of Melatonin for Sleeping Problems

As mentioned above, As previously described, the hormone melatonin can make a person sleepy and easy to fall asleep. This is the reason melatonin can be used as a supplement or drug to treat various sleep problems, such as insomnia, jet lag, and delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD).

In addition to To treat insomnia in adults and the elderly, melatonin supplements can also be used to treat insomnia in children, especially children with certain medical conditions, such as ADHD and autism.

Side Effects of Melatonin

In general, melatonin supplements can be given for a period of 1–4 weeks. In certain conditions, doctors can also prescribe this supplement for up to 13 weeks. However, the use of melatonin usually has an impact after 1-2 weeks of use.

The recommended dosage for using melatonin supplements for adults is 1-2 mg. As for children, the dose should be adjusted according to age. The drowsy effect will usually be felt after 1-2 hours of taking the supplement.

When taking melatonin more than the recommended dose or for a long period of time, a person may experience the following side effects of melatonin:

  • Headache or dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Stomach cramps
  • Dry lips and mouth
  • Dry and itchy skin
  • Muscle pain
  • Nightmare
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Peeing more often
  • Frequent bedwetting in children

Meanwhile, severe side effects are also possible in some people. Effects include:

  • Tremor
  • Deterioration of vision
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Sensation such as fainting
  • bruising
  • Bleeding
  • bloody urine
  • Psoriasis recurrence

Use of supplements Melatonin in the long term can also disrupt hormonal balance and puberty in children. A study states that the use of melatonin for 6 months or more in children can cause children to experience puberty late.

In the elderly, long-term side effects of melatonin that are often experienced are hypothermia and decreased blood pressure.

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It should also be noted that melatonin supplements should not be taken together with certain types of drugs, because they have the potential to trigger drug interactions that can harm the body.

Several types of drugs in question are blood thinners, diabetes drugs, blood pressure control drugs, birth control pills, epilepsy or anticonvulsant drugs, and immunosuppressant drugs.

Therefore, to prevent side effects, you are not recommended to take melatonin supplements without a doctor's advice. This is because the incorrect determination of the dosage and duration of melatonin consumption and the concomitant consumption of other drugs can trigger side effects. or sleep hygine first.

In addition, make your bedroom atmosphere more comfortable, for example limiting or turning off lighting sources, setting the room temperature to cool, and turning off electronic devices before or after

If you are still having trouble sleeping and want to take melatonin, consult your doctor first. That way, you can find out the cause of your sleeplessness and if needed, your doctor can prescribe melatonin at the right dose to avoid the side effects of melatonin that can occur.

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