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. However, some of the side effects listed above may present additional challenges for older adults.
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.
Evidence from randomized control trials suggests that melatonin may have a mildly increased rate of minor adverse effects, but there is a dearth of long-term safety data in older adults.
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. Taking too much melatonin for you can lead to unpleasant side effects.
Melatonin levels peak at night. But among older people, levels of the hormone are often lower. Exogenous melatonin is sold over the counter and can be taken before bedtime as a dietary supplement, usually in the form of a pill or capsule.
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.
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.
It is typically safe for adults to take melatonin every night for short periods of time. Several factors affect whether an individual should take melatonin every day.
High blood pressure: Melatonin can raise blood pressure in people who are taking certain medications to control blood pressure. Avoid using it.
Yes, melatonin is generally safe for the elderly. However, they might cause side effects like headaches, daytime sedation, nausea, etc. So, it is always good to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or supplement.
Generally, a safe starting dose for adults is between 1 and 5 milligrams of melatonin. Older adults may find doses lower than 1 milligram to be effective. Children should not take melatonin unless recommended by a doctor.
Melatonin does tend to have less risky potential side effects than certain prescription sleep aids, Grandner says, but he adds that “melatonin is not a good alternative to prescription sleep medications. It does not work as a sedative and it is ineffective in most cases of insomnia.”
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.
Taking too much melatonin can actually cause rebound insomnia —either rendering the supplement ineffective or worse, exacerbating your already sleepless nights further. You only need tiny doses of melatonin to support your natural sleep cycle.
Most people associate melatonin with sleep. But melatonin may also play a role in protecting against neurodegeneration from dementia.
Melatonin supplements are commonly used for sleep problems. There's no evidence that melatonin is harmful to your heart, liver, or kidneys when taken as directed. But it can lower blood pressure and make bleeding more likely, especially if you take other blood pressure or blood-thinning medications.
A 2017 study indicated melatonin as an effective and safe option for treating people with anxiety following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A 2018 study found that the administration of melatonin was more effective in improving anxiety and sleeping patterns than the drug oxazepam in people undergoing heart surgery.
Taking too much serotonin by combining medications such as antidepressants, migraine medications and melatonin can lead to a serious drug reaction. Mild symptoms include shivering and diarrhea, while a more severe reaction can lead to muscle rigidity, fever, seizures and even death if not treated.
Melatonin can cause adverse effects at higher doses, but it is unlikely to cause a lethal overdose. In adults, higher doses may cause uncomfortable side effects such as headache and nausea. Melatonin overdose in children is a growing concern with increasing hospitalizations.
It could trigger side effects
Nausea. Dizziness. Headache. Sleepiness (when you should be alert)
Who is Defined as Elderly? Typically, the elderly has been defined as the chronological age of 65 or older. People from 65 to 74 years old are usually considered early elderly, while those over 75 years old are referred to as late elderly.