It's important to note that there isn't a “safe” dosage of melatonin. Generally, an adult dose is thought to be between 1 and 10 mg. Doses near the 30 mg mark are usually considered to be harmful.
If a trial of melatonin is considered, experts recommend low doses (as low as 0.3 mg up to 2 mg) given 1 h before bedtime. In fact, many of the large studies involving older patients with insomnia used a 2-mg dose.
Melatonin is generally regarded as safe for seniors by physicians and pharmacists because its side effects are mild, it's not habit forming, and it does not cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly.
Taking melatonin at a dose of 20 mg is not recommended. It can lead to a melatonin overdose. This can cause daytime sleepiness, headaches, and dizziness. To avoid an overdose on melatonin, you should not take more than 10 mg.
In the elderly, should prescription medication be necessary, the first-line treatment is nonbenzodiazepines (e.g., zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon, and ramelteon) as they have been found to be safer and better tolerated than tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines.
Melatonin: Melatonin is considered one of the safest over-the-counter sleep aids, with few side effects. A prescription drug called ramelteon is designed to mimic the effects of melatonin. Like melatonin, it is not considered habit-forming and it does not affect balance.
QUVIVIQ is a prescription medicine for adults who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).
The usual starting dose is one 2mg slow release tablet taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime. Sometimes the dose may gradually be increased to 2 to 3 tablets before bedtime, depending on how well it works and whether you have any side effects. The maximum dose is 5 tablets (10mg) once daily.
How long does 10mg melatonin last? A 10 mg dosage will last more than seven hours, and it is generally not even recommended for those suffering from severe insomnia — a dosage of 5mg is regarded as the upper limit.
There is no official recommended maximum dose of melatonin for adults, but a range of 0.5 mg to 5 mg appears to be safe and effective. Generally speaking, most people produce enough melatonin to sleep well, but if you need a little extra to add to their sleep cycle, you probably don't need more than 3 mg.
Generally, an adult dose is thought to be between 1 and 10 mg. Doses near the 30 mg mark are usually considered to be harmful. However, people's sensitivity to it can vary, making some more prone to side effects at lower doses than others.
While melatonin is generally considered safe, it is possible to take too much. There is no official recommended melatonin dosage, and people can have different sensitivities to melatonin, so finding an appropriate dose can be challenging.
Regardless of whether it truly helps with sleep or not, Dr. Ramkissoon doesn't recommend taking melatonin long-term.
Sleep and Aging
Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults—7 to 9 hours each night. But, older people tend to go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than they did when they were younger. There are many reasons why older people may not get enough sleep at night.
Do not use melatonin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have an autoimmune disorder, a seizure disorder or depression. Talk to your health care provider if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
Most people overdo it with melatonin by taking upward of 10 milligrams or more prior to bed and then claim it doesn't work. Taking too much melatonin can actually cause rebound insomnia —either rendering the supplement ineffective or worse, exacerbating your already sleepless nights further.
How Long Does It Take For 5mg Melatonin to Kick In? A typical melatonin dose is up to 5 mg and can take up to two hours to kick in. However, some people report melatonin working in as little as 20 minutes, which is why you'll want to get your bedtime routine started when you take your melatonin.
The most common side effects are headaches, nausea and dizziness (17). In the elderly, exogenous melatonin may decrease blood pressure and cause hypothermia (17).
What is a safe melatonin dose? According to Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, “melatonin is very safe if taken in normal doses,” which is anything between 0.5 mg and 5 mg.
Can I take 10 mg of melatonin? Generally, doctors recommend starting with the lowest dose of melatonin available and working your way up from there if you aren't seeing the desired results. That being said, 10mg is considered the maximum dose of melatonin that can be taken safely.
These are the most commonly used sleeping tablets in Australia and include temazepam (Temaze, Normison), zopiclone (Imovane) and zolpidem (Stilnox). They work by enhancing the activity of sleep pathways in the brain. They are recommended for short term use (less than 4 weeks). Melatonin (Circadin).
Traditionally, the “elderly” are considered to be those persons age 65 and older.
Melatonin can currently only be used as an active ingredient for biologicals, export only and prescription medicines and homeopathic formulation in Australia. It is freely sold as a food supplement in USA, Europe and other countries across the globe.