Melatonin
A tablet or capsule of melatonin can be used as a sleeping aid. According to the British Medical Journal there isn't enough research to say whether melatonin works in older people, and whether it is safe to take this treatment if you're taking other medicines[1].
According to the BMJ:
- You can't buy melatonin in the UK, but you can legally bring back melatonin tablets from the United States for your own use. And it's possible to buy melatonin tablets from overseas over the internet. But melatonin isn't sold as a medicine. It's sold as a supplement. This means that it may not be made to the same standards as medicines. You can't be sure how good the quality is[2].
- Research in children has found that melatonin can make you feel cold, cause dizziness, low mood, poor appetite and headaches. Experts say you shouldn't take melatonin if you have epilepsy or are taking a medicine to stop your blood clotting, like warfarin, for example. Check with your doctor before taking melatonin if you're already taking other medicines[3].
Notes
- ↑ BMJ, Insomnia in adults, The Guardian, 23-March-2009, Accessed 03-February-2010
- ↑ BMJ, Insomnia in adults, The Guardian, 23-March-2009, Accessed 03-February-2010
- ↑ BMJ, Insomnia in adults, The Guardian, 23-March-2009, Accessed 03-February-2010
