How Long Does Melatonin Take to Work?

How Fast Does Supplemental Melatonin Work?

Ordinarily, the brain makes more melatonin about one to two hours before bedtime and most people start to feel sleepy Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source about two hours after melatonin levels rise.

Supplemental melatonin comes in many different forms and how it is made affects how quickly it works Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source . Depending on the type of supplement, the effects may kick in as quickly as 20 minutes. People considering taking melatonin supplements should talk to their doctors about what form of melatonin may work best for them.

Extended-Release Melatonin

Some pills have a special coating or additive to slow the release of the active ingredient. These kinds of medications and supplements are sometimes called extended-release, controlled-release, sustained-release or modified-release. Extended-release pills take effect more slowly and work longer than regular pills. Extended-release pills should never be crushed, cut, or chewed as doing so could be dangerous.

Some melatonin supplements are extended-release pills. While data is limited on how quickly extended release melatonin takes effect, extended release melatonin pills may reach peak levels Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source in the bloodstream later than fast-release melatonin. Experts believe that extended-release melatonin may be better at reducing the number of times people wake up after falling asleep.

Melatonin Patches

The effect of a supplement or medication can also be slowed by releasing it through a patch on the skin. Melatonin patches release melatonin into the bloodstream more slowly than melatonin pills. Studies have also found that melatonin patches reduce time awake after falling asleep and increase time spent sleeping.

Melatonin Melts

Drug makers may also adjust a supplement or medication to make it act more quickly. Some melatonin supplements are available as fast-acting melts that dissolve under the tongue or between the gums and the cheek. Medications and supplements taken in this way are absorbed more quickly than gummy vitamins were.

People should take supplements and medications only as instructed by their doctor or as indicated on the label. Pills that are designed to be swallowed whole may not work well if taken differently than directed.

Melatonin Gummies

Melatonin supplements are widely available as gummies. Researchers have not yet discovered how quickly melatonin gummies take effect. However, studies of gummy vitamins may shed some light on how melatonin gummies compare to melatonin pills.

To date, research findings on how gummy vitamins compare to vitamin pills have been conflicting. While some studies have found that gummy vitamins are better absorbed Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source than pills, others found that gummy vitamins were similar to vitamin pills Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Parents and guardians should take care to keep melatonin gummies out of children’s reach. Children may confuse Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Blog As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source gummy supplements with candy which can increase the risk of accidental overdose. Gummies may also be a choking hazard for young children.

How Melatonin Affects Sleep

Melatonin makes a person feel sleepy through its effect on our internal clock, also known as circadian rhythms. These 24-hour cycles that affect every system in the human body, including the sleep-wake cycle.

While the human brain naturally makes melatonin, supplements are also available in the U.S. over-the-counter. In some countries, melatonin supplements are only available with a prescription. Melatonin supplements may help some people whose sleep schedules differ from their circadian rhythms.

• Jet Lag: People who take melatonin for jet lag after air travel may adjust to new time zones more quickly than people who do not take melatonin. Travelers taking melatonin to prevent jet lag can time their dosage on their day of arrival based on the desired bedtime at their destination.
• Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder: While some people may stay up late for work, school, or social reasons, some people have a sleep disorder involving markedly delayed circadian rhythms even when they could go to sleep on time. Studies have found that melatonin helped people with this condition Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source fall asleep faster and sleep longer.
• Shift Work: Melatonin may also help people who work night shifts to sleep longer and better during the daytime. However, more research is needed to better understand how melatonin works, when night workers should take it, and what dosage works best for this purpose.
• Insomnia: Experts have mixed opinions on whether melatonin helps people with insomnia to sleep. Melatonin may help people with insomnia to fall asleep faster, but it does not appear to keep people from waking up during the night. 

How to Take Melatonin

Melatonin is usually taken one to two hours before bedtime. Sleep experts have not agreed upon a standard dosage of melatonin Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source , however the adult dosage of melatonin is usually between 1 to 5 milligrams. For children, experts recommend lower doses of melatonin Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source than for adults. Parents and guardians should always speak with their child’s doctor before giving melatonin to children.

Higher doses of melatonin do not appear to be more effective than lower doses, but may have higher risks of side effects. For that reason, people taking melatonin supplements should start at a lower dose. If they decide to try a higher dose, then they should increase the dose slowly until they find a dose that works for them.

Some medications, herbs, and beverages can increase natural melatonin levels and may magnify the supplement’s effect. People who take birth control pills, caffeine, or antidepressants should talk to their doctors about possible interactions and the appropriate melatonin dosage.

Melatonin is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Research has found that the levels of melatonin in over-the-counter supplements may be different from the dosage listed on the labels. People who use melatonin can find reputable sleep supplements by talking to a pharmacist or selecting products that undergo third-party testing.

Are There Side Effects to Melatonin?

The side effects of melatonin have not been studied in-depth. However, health experts believe that melatonin is probably safe for most healthy adults. The most common side effects reported by people taking melatonin are:

• Feeling sleepy during the day
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Upset stomach
• Irritability
• Strong nightmares
• Temporary depression

People should not drive or operate heavy machinery within four to five hours after taking melatonin. Melatonin supplements should never be taken with alcohol or other sleeping pills as the combined effects may cause breathing problems or make people too sleepy.

Health experts do not yet know whether melatonin is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. People who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding should speak to their doctors before starting melatonin supplements.

Melatonin supplements interact with many medications, including birth control pills, blood pressure medicine, antiseizure medicine, medicine to weaken the immune system, and blood thinners. People who take any of these medicines should speak to their doctor before trying melatonin supplements.

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