Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Melatonin A Helpful Sleep Aid?
Question: My mom is 91 ...5 ft tall...113...no sleep apnea... and has had trouble sleeping (sometime its going to sleep and sometime it is staying asleep.) Is melatonin safe and does it work? What are the best ways to use it? She bought 3 mg but hasn't taken it yet.
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, and thanks for your question.
Melatonin is the safest and most effective over-the-counter sleep aid available in the world. It is a natural hormone found in the body that regulates wakefulness. More about this in a minute.
The first step in obtaining the best possible sleep is maintaining good sleep hygiene. Some of the most basic principles of sleep hygiene are below, per the National Sleep Foundation:
1. Avoid napping during the day.
2. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol too close to bedtime. 3. Exercise can promote good sleep.
4. Food can be disruptive right before sleep.
5. Ensure adequate exposure to natural light.
6. Establish a regular relaxing bedtime routine.
7. Associate your bed with sleep (not TVs or cell phones!)
If this is optimized, the first thing I will try in all my patients is melatonin. The best way to use it is to start at the lowest possible dose, 3mg, and take this thirty minutes before the time you plan to fall asleep. Do something relaxing like reading in bed while you wait for it to kick in. If 3mg is not effective after 3-5 days, increase the dose to 6mg. Repeat. If ineffective, go to 9-10mg, which is the maximum dose. Give it time. If this still doesn't work, your mother can explore other options, such as Rozerem, Ambien, or Remeron. But melatonin is by far the best and safest to try.
I hope this was helpful. Please don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you like! I'd be happy to have you as my private patient. Ask me on HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, and thanks for your question.
Melatonin is the safest and most effective over-the-counter sleep aid available in the world. It is a natural hormone found in the body that regulates wakefulness. More about this in a minute.
The first step in obtaining the best possible sleep is maintaining good sleep hygiene. Some of the most basic principles of sleep hygiene are below, per the National Sleep Foundation:
1. Avoid napping during the day.
2. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol too close to bedtime. 3. Exercise can promote good sleep.
4. Food can be disruptive right before sleep.
5. Ensure adequate exposure to natural light.
6. Establish a regular relaxing bedtime routine.
7. Associate your bed with sleep (not TVs or cell phones!)
If this is optimized, the first thing I will try in all my patients is melatonin. The best way to use it is to start at the lowest possible dose, 3mg, and take this thirty minutes before the time you plan to fall asleep. Do something relaxing like reading in bed while you wait for it to kick in. If 3mg is not effective after 3-5 days, increase the dose to 6mg. Repeat. If ineffective, go to 9-10mg, which is the maximum dose. Give it time. If this still doesn't work, your mother can explore other options, such as Rozerem, Ambien, or Remeron. But melatonin is by far the best and safest to try.
I hope this was helpful. Please don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you like! I'd be happy to have you as my private patient. Ask me on HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Doctor as a follow up....if it works can she use it every day or can it be used as needed? Just when she needs it to sleep at night? Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Follow-up
Detailed Answer:
Great question. Yes, it can be used as-needed. This is not a medicine that needs to be taken every day to work correctly.
tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Follow-up
Detailed Answer:
Great question. Yes, it can be used as-needed. This is not a medicine that needs to be taken every day to work correctly.
tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
