Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body but can be obtained in the form of a food supplement or medication to improve the quality of sleep.
Although it is a substance that is also present in the body, taking medications or supplements containing melatonin can cause some side effects, which are rare but whose probability of occurring increases with the amount of melatonin that is ingested.
Most common side effects
Although rare, treatment with melatonin can cause the following side effects:
- Fatigue and excessive drowsiness; Lack of concentration; Worsening depression; Headache and migraine; Stomach pain and diarrhea; Irritability, nervousness, anxiety and agitation; Insomnia; Abnormal dreams; Dizziness; Hypertension; Heartburn; Thrush and dry mouth; Hyperbilirubinemia; Dermatitis, rash and dry and itchy skin; Night sweats; Pain in the chest and extremities; Symptoms of menopause; Presence of sugar and protein in the urine; Alteration of liver function; Weight gain.
The intensity of the side effects will depend on the amount of melatonin ingested, the higher the dose, the greater the risks of suffering from any of these side effects.
Contraindications for melatonin
Although it is a generally well-tolerated substance, melatonin should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding or in people who are allergic to any of the components of the pills.
In addition, the use of melatonin is contraindicated in babies and children, since as melatonin is a hormone, it can promote changes in the concentration of other hormones necessary for the child's correct growth and development.
People who operate machines for more than 4 hours or who work driving, for example, should also not take melatonin, as it can cause drowsiness and excessive fatigue.
How to take melatonin
Melatonin supplementation should be indicated by the doctor, and its use is usually recommended in cases of insomnia, migraine and menopause, for example. The dose of melatonin is indicated by the doctor according to the purpose of the supplementation.
In the case of insomnia, for example, the dose normally indicated by the doctor is 1 to 2 mg of melatonin, once a day, about 1 to 2 hours before bedtime and after eating. The lower dose of 800 micrograms seems to have no effect and doses greater than 5 mg should be used with caution. Learn how to take melatonin.
