Melatonin is Not as Safe as You May Think

@BelleStarr (61050)
United States
May 24, 2018 9:15pm CST
I have always thought that melatonin was a very safe thing to take if you need to reset your internal clock or are having trouble sleeping. My husband's neurologist recommended he take 3mg daily. Before giving it to him I did a little research and was shocked by what I found. Melatonin can make the symptoms of depression worse. What????? Okay. I am not an expert on Parkinson's but Robin Williams comes to mind. Depression can be a big deal in Parkinson's disease. My husband isn't depressed and I want to keep it that way. He is not going to be taking any melatonin. It also made me think of a couple people I know who have had depression and also trouble sleeping. I let them know that maybe they should not be taking it. It can also raise blood pressure, increase blood sugar and make bleeding worse in people with bleeding disorders. It can also interact with certain sedatives, birth control pills and lots of other things. So before you consider taking this "safe" remedy for insomnia, be sure to make sure that it won't interact with something else you are taking. I am very glad I did my research.
23 people like this
23 responses
@Kandae11 (53601)
25 May 18
I guess the reason why doctors don't usually warn patients about the side effects of prescription pills is beacause not every patient is affected - but if there is a safer alternative it should be mentioned.
5 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
25 May 18
This is an over the counter medication that was recommended by the doctor so anyone can walk in and buy it without a doctor at all, which makes it even more dangerous.
@Courtlynn (67002)
• United States
25 May 18
I agree!
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (67002)
• United States
25 May 18
Every "medicine" has side effects though.. just a matter on if they come out or not when you use them. But that is good to know, as I never looked into it. Even when my nieces mom had us give it to them.
5 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
25 May 18
It can be very dangerous for kids too so it is worth checking the side effects on this one.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67002)
• United States
25 May 18
@BelleStarr oh I'm sure it can be, especially if it can be for adults. But each person is different with meds. And if we ran from each med with side effects, well then we'd never take anything. Not my kids, so not my place to check. Plus we dont get them anymore as they moved last year.
@maezee (42003)
• United States
25 May 18
That is pretty scary. I have taken melatonin most nights for the past 2ish years and have not noticed any side effect.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
25 May 18
If you have questions we mad covrrs it pretty well
@LadyDuck (455005)
• Switzerland
25 May 18
I never thought it was safe to take. We were suggested to take Melatonin when we traveled a lot and the change of time zone was sometimes a problem, but we refused.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
That was a very wise decision.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (455005)
• Switzerland
26 May 18
@BelleStarr The first few days we were in the United States we were up at 3 in the morning, we had a long walk before going to have breakfast, it was not so bad after all. At least we had a great sleep.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
26 May 18
Lucky you researched it. We don't take any meds except Tylenol when necessary.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
I don't blame you especially after reading all of this.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303377)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 May 18
That's good to know. Maybe a cup of chamomile tea would be a better help for sleep.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
25 May 18
I am thinking that you are probably right!!
1 person likes this
@just4him (303377)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 May 18
1 person likes this
• United States
25 May 18
I think you're right.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (168441)
• United States
26 May 18
I had no idea. I mean it is present in the body naturally, so it shouldn't be that bad,,,but I guess if you are suspectible you could have a problem.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
Yes it is but it interacts with other things that you put in your body.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110776)
• El Paso, Texas
25 May 18
There are very few medicines that are completely safe to take, I won't take any kind at all but I will consult a holistic doctor if I should have medical issues.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110776)
• El Paso, Texas
26 May 18
That is a shame @BelleStarr
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
We did go to a holistic doctor when my hubs first got Parkinson's but they don't take Medicare so we can't see them anymore.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
25 May 18
My sister takes it. I will mention this to her.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
I think it is important to know the side effects and interactions.
@noni1959 (9842)
• United States
26 May 18
I would think it's safe at a low dose and just have regular check ups and blood tests. Most medications have side effect. Insomnia can cause issues with heart, blood pressure etc. It's kind of what is the worse one to do.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
If you haven't read about the effects I think you might want to, I don't trust it at any dose.
@JudyEv (323745)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 May 18
Goodness me. Don't doctors know this stuff? It sounds like they need to be doing more research too.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
28 May 18
I did wonder but she is supposed to have his best interests at heart.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323745)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May 18
@BelleStarr More and more, I worry that we can't even trust doctors nowadays although Vince's does seem to be really good. A good old family GP with time to listen and explain things.
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
25 May 18
I had no idea that melatonin had these specific side effects. That is horrible. I would not have given it to the hubby either.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
25 May 18
I was shocked at the number and severity of the side effects
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
25 May 18
@BelleStarr so am i.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
25 May 18
I don`t know anyone who takes this.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
I am surprised at how many people actually do take it, it's quite popular.
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
25 May 18
Wow! Thanks for the head's up. I used to take it.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
I think most of us have because we thought it was safe and better than other sleep aides.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40250)
• United States
29 May 18
@BelleStarr So true because it seems like it's more natural
@popciclecold (35015)
• United States
25 May 18
I am glad for your researh, she waiting on her medication from a mail order that was late. She sent me to the store to get melatonin. I will tell her when I see her.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
25 May 18
It is pretty scary stuff when you consider all the things it interacts with.
@jstory07 (133795)
• Roseburg, Oregon
25 May 18
Glad you shared this information. I though it was safe.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
I know, so did I but it seems we were both mistaken.
@Juliaacv (48238)
• Canada
25 May 18
No human should consume anything that has such a vast array of side effects. I would think that you draw him a nice bath and make him a relaxing tea before bedtime may be more successful and keep him as healthy as he is.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
These days the problem with the bath is getting out of the tub lol we need to put in handicap bars out tub is 6 feet long and very deep.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57307)
• Centralia, Washington
25 May 18
My hubby takes this stuff. If I swallow a teeny bit of it I sleep deeply then am funky headed sleepy for half the following day.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
25 May 18
Yah. after I read this stuff, I am throwing the one I have away.
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
25 May 18
i haven't taken any sedative tablets yet, but the antihistamines as needed especially if i have allergies.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
Just don't mix either of them with melatonin.
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13618)
• United States
25 May 18
hmm, now i wonder about alka seltzer pm heartburn relief medicine which comes with melatonin. i know that theres others,that ive seen, but i just cant remember them right now.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
26 May 18
Well I think if it has melatonin in it is needs to be avoided.
1 person likes this