You may get melatonin, a nutritional supplement, at your local drugstore or health food store without a prescription. But youngsters under the age of 18 shouldn't take it, and melatonin should never be given to a child unless a doctor prescribes it.
For issues like jet lag or changing sleep habits, small dosages of melatonin are safe to test, but only after receiving approval from a healthcare professional. The following are some undesirable side effects to be aware of:
Melatonin is usually safe to take for a short while, but it's unclear what happens to it over time. Melatonin may lessen the effectiveness of antidepressants like Prozac, according to research on animals. Furthermore, melatonin may conflict with medications that lower blood pressure.
Melatonin is not subject to the same FDA regulations as prescription medications because it is marketed as a dietary supplement. For this reason, it's critical to read labels and only purchase melatonin from reliable retailers. Certain products could have components you shouldn't consume, or they might list the dosage wrongly.
Schedule a visit with your physician or pharmacist if you're having these symptoms, and they can offer advice on how to control your melatonin intake. Additionally, you should steer clear of purchasing melatonin from unreliable internet pharmacies since they might not be offering genuine goods.
Melatonin should be used with caution by those who have immune system problems since it can activate specific immune system components. If you use immune-suppressive medication or have an autoimmune disease, it's also crucial to see a doctor before using it. Additionally, you should refrain from taking it with alcohol or other sleep aids.
See your doctor if you're experiencing sleep problems, particularly if they've persisted for a lengthy period. Treatment for underlying disorders like depression or anxiety may be necessary if you experience insomnia.
You might not be able to determine the precise amount of melatonin or other chemicals in a certain product because the FDA does not monitor dietary supplements in the same manner that it does prescription and over-the-counter medications. Because of this, it's crucial to continue using pharmaceutical-grade melatonin that has been validated by the independent Dietary Supplement Verification Program of the US Pharmacopeial Convention.
Before using any dietary supplements, you should always consult your doctor if you have any underlying medical concerns. Because dietary supplements are not subject to the same regulations as prescription drugs, there is a possibility of drug interactions and other health hazards. For example, people on diabetes or anti-seizure drugs may experience elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels due to melatonin. Serotonin syndrome may also result if you are taking other drugs that raise the hormone's levels in your body.
Long-term use of over-the-counter melatonin is generally not advised unless prescribed by a physician. According to Covassin, it can raise the chance of adverse effects and doesn't address the fundamental cause of chronic insomnia.
The FDA does not regulate supplements as strictly as it does drugs, and a product's real contents may differ greatly from what is stated on the label. Look for melatonin supplements that have been verified by the US Pharmacopeial Convention if you'd like to give them a try. This indicates that the product satisfies a set of requirements for potency and quality. By doing this, you can steer clear of fake or inferior goods that might have negative side effects.
