What is melatonin for, side effects, how to take it. Functions of melatonin in the human body and its significance

Melatonin, a hormone of the pineal gland, regulates sleep, eliminates insomnia and facilitates the adjustment of the body when changing time zones. As an additional dose, if there is a lack of melatonin in the body, a drug is prescribed that, in addition to regulating sleep, promotes a number of positive effects. Therefore, it is important to know the features of administration, indications and side effects.

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm of all living organisms (sleep - wakefulness), makes it easier to fall asleep, and relieves insomnia caused by overwork, irritability and time zone changes. Melatonin is also called the “sleep hormone”; it is a derivative of serotonin, which, in turn, is produced from tryptophan (L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid).

The highest concentration of melatonin in the blood occurs at night (00:00-05:00), and the peak is reached at approximately 2 am. During the day, blood levels drop, which is natural when the body is awake.

Features of the hormone

Melatonin production depends on the circadian rhythm. In the evening and in the least lighted time, the production of the hormone increases, in the lighter time of day it decreases. It is also interesting that synthesis in the blood increases in winter, and decreases in summer. Even with age, production decreases, this leads to deterioration of sleep, insomnia, which negatively affects the deep sleep phase, and this causes irritability, organs and systems are not restored, all these factors negatively affect the human nervous system. Melatonin can also reduce systolic blood pressure.

Who should take it and why?

• Firstly, melatonin is necessary for people suffering from insomnia and having difficulty falling asleep due to long periods of wakefulness and fatigue. Increasing the concentration of the hormone leads to faster and easier falling asleep. Melatonin has a sedative effect and calms the nervous system.
• Secondly, melatonin is necessary for people who experience irritability due to changes in work schedule or time zone. Also, with muscle fatigue, the supplement helps you relax and recover faster during sleep.

Effects and beneficial properties

In addition to its main function - improving sleep, the benefit of melatonin is that it takes part in regulating the activity of the endocrine system. Reduces physical and emotional activity at a time when wakefulness interferes with the normal biorhythm. The hormone also has antioxidant, anti-stress, antitumor and immunostimulating effects, and slows down the aging process.

In sports

Athletes drink melatonin to improve sleep quality, which is inextricably linked to the body’s speed of recovery after physical activity. Intense training can cause fatigue in the body as a whole and contribute to irritability of the nervous system. All this can lead to poor sleep, which negatively affects the recovery that athletes especially need to perform certain tasks. During sleep, muscles relax, the nervous system and internal organs are restored. Therefore, the better the athlete’s sleep, the faster he will recover and achieve high results.

Effect on libido

Studies have shown that melatonin does not adversely affect libido and sexual function. Research results have shown that intake does not affect the production of anabolic hormones responsible for libido.

Effect on testosterone

Testosterone is the so-called male hormone, responsible not only for anabolic processes, but also sexual function and desire. As has been studied, melatonin does not affect the production of testosterone, thereby not suppressing it. However, an increase in the female hormone prolactin can negatively affect testosterone. But this is only a possible indirect effect, at certain dosages.

Relationship with prolactin

The results of scientific studies are quite contradictory, some of them showed the inhibitory effect of melatonin on prolactin, some did not confirm any effect, although the period and time of the study were not specified. However, it was found that with a dosage of 5 mg per day for a month, prolactin levels increased in young people. In addition, increases in prolactin levels were recorded daily. An increase in the concentration of the female hormone was especially observed at night, with the maximum concentration of melatonin.

How does growth hormone affect

The positive effect of melatonin on (somatotropin) has been proven. Increased secretion of GH, like melatonin, is observed at night. Since growth hormone is produced during sleep, insomnia and poor sleep naturally have a detrimental effect on its production. GH is responsible for cell growth in children and adults, has anabolic and anti-catabolic effects, takes part in carbohydrate metabolism, and enhances the absorption of calcium in inert tissue. Therefore, it is necessary not only for teenagers, but also for athletes. The main properties of melatonin are their effect on sleep and recovery, and have a direct positive effect on the production of somatotropin.

Benefits for weight loss

The effect of melatonin on weight loss has also been well studied. Beneficial properties include stimulation of glucose uptake and glycogen accumulation in tissues (muscles). Helps increase the production of ATP (energy) and creatine phosphate. These factors influence the increase in energy during exercise, which contributes to an increase in the duration of training, which leads to fat burning. Reducing glucose and insulin levels allows you to reduce the percentage of adipose tissue.

Indications and contraindications

Indications

Disturbance of sleep rhythm is the main indication for the use of the drug, insomnia, irritability and stress affecting the quality of sleep.

Contraindications :

• Diabetes.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Individual sensitivity to the drug.
• Leukemia.
• Lymphoma.
• Myeloma.
• Epilepsy.

Attention! Taking melatonin is prohibited for children under 12 years of age; for adolescents, the drug is prescribed only by a doctor.

Instructions for use

The drug is taken at night, 30 minutes before the desired fall asleep.

Melatonin begins to act 45-60 minutes after taking the drug. After taking the hormone, you should avoid bright light, which suppresses the effects of the supplement. The tablets are washed down with water.

Dosages

Depending on the choice of pharmaceutical drug or sports nutrition supplement, the instructions for using melatonin will differ; pay attention to the dosage in one tablet of the product you purchased.

The safe dose at which melatonin is effective is up to 3 mg of the active substance. Start with 1-2 mg for the first days. If necessary, increase the dose.

Do not exceed a daily dose of 6 mg of melatonin. If side effects occur or there is no effect, discontinue the drug.

How long can I take it?

The course of taking melatonin lasts 1 month. When prescribed by a doctor, a course of 2 months is possible. After the course, you must take a week's break and, if necessary, repeat taking the drug. When regulating blood pressure, the doctor may prescribe a course for an elderly patient from 3 months to six months.

Release forms

The drug is available in the form of white tablets, which are washed down with water. Although some manufacturers produce chewable forms of melatonin in supplements.

Melatonin preparations

1. Vita-melatonin. One tablet contains 3 mg of melatonin, the country of origin is the USA. 30 tablets
2. Melaxen. One tablet contains 3 mg of active ingredient, USA manufacturer
3. Circadin. One tablet contains 2 mg of melatonin. Manufacturer – Switzerland
4. Melarithm. Contains 3 mg of the substance in one tablet, pack of 24 pcs. Manufacturer Russia

Sports nutrition

Supplement manufacturers have begun producing their own melatonin supplements because it has a positive effect on recovery and growth (anabolism) in athletes during sleep. The anti-catabolic effect against stress, strain, general physical and emotional stress, as well as improving sleep, has made the supplement very popular among athletes. It is also recommended to take sports nutrition dietary supplements at night, half an hour before bedtime. The drug can also be taken an hour before changing time zones when flying. You should not take melatonin before training, since suppression of physical activity and disorientation can affect the quality of the exercise. Taking the drug is not advisable during the daytime, morning or before training.

Sports nutrition manufacturers

• Optimum Nutrition. 100 tablets of 3 mg.
• NOW Foods. 60 capsules of 3 mg.
• Ultimate Nutrition. 60 capsules of 3 mg.
• Scitec Nutrition. 90 tablets of 1 mg.
• Universal Nutrition. Melatonin per tablet 5 mg. 60 capsules per package.
• Contains 10 mg melatonin and vitamin B6. There are 60 tablets in a package.

Compared to pharmaceutical drugs, it is much more profitable to purchase melatonin as part of sports nutrition than in a pharmacy. The dosages are the same, but the number of capsules in the supplements is several times higher than pharmaceutical drugs, and the cost of sports nutrition can be much lower.

Melatonin in food

The highest concentration is found in rice, unlike other products. Melatonin enters the body from food in small doses, which do not affect sleep and do not contribute to the positive effects of the hormone. But you can take foods containing L-tryptophan, from which melatonin is subsequently produced. For a pronounced effect, it is worth taking an additional hormone supplement in a dosage of 1 to 6 mg per day. It is impossible to obtain such doses from food.

Melatonin during pregnancy

Taking the supplement is contraindicated during pregnancy or lactation. Even during the period of conceiving or planning a child, it is necessary to avoid taking melatonin, since it has a contraceptive (contraceptive) effect.

Interaction with other drugs

• Taking melatonin simultaneously with drugs that block beta-adrenergic receptors will reduce the secretion of the hormone.
• Interacts with some hypnotics that have a synergistic effect, such as zolpiden.
• Interacts with and enhances the antitumor effect of tamoxifen.
• Interacts with isoniazid, increasing the antibacterial effect.

Side effects, risks and harm

The hormone is considered safe, the harm of melatonin can be expressed in individual intolerance to the drug, nausea, vomiting, loss of coordination, fatigue, thirst. You may feel unwell and tired in the morning.

Taking certain pharmaceutical drugs can cause:

• irritation,
• increased excitability,
• increased heart rate,
• headache,
• migraine,
• blurred vision,
• attention disorder
• night sweats,
• dizziness.

It is recommended to avoid driving as melatonin can affect coordination and attention. Should not be used by children as there are no studies on the effects of some drugs on children. Can slow down growth and sexual development in children.

Overdose

Symptoms of a drug overdose were identified when the dose was exceeded 30 mg - disorientation, prolonged sleep, memory loss.

Terms of sale and storage

The drugs are available in pharmacies without a prescription and are also available for sale in sports supplement stores. The drug must be stored in its original closed packaging at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees Celsius, avoid direct light.

Best before date. Typically, drugs are released for a period of 3 years, if properly stored.

Analogs

An analogue of melatonin is the dietary supplement Tryptophan (manufacturers: Evalar, Vansiton). A daily dose of 500 mg of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan ensures the production of serotonin (the hormone of joy) throughout the day. At night, the hormone melatonin is formed from serotonin, which improves the sleep-wake rhythm. The preparation also contains vitamins B5 and B6.

Melatonin is a hormonal drug that affects the human nervous system.

In most cases, it is used under severe stress, as a sedative, when the psyche is not able to cope with the existing tension on its own.

However, its long-term use has an immunostimulating effect, allowing it to strengthen the body's protective functions. How to take melatonin correctly, instructions for use and contraindications, as well as prices and reviews, we will consider further.

Melatonin, called the sleep hormone, is able to activate and normalize a person’s biological rhythms, which cannot be done on its own in a state of stress.

Therefore, its indications for use are the following disorders:

1. Change of climatic zones with changing times. This is especially true for those people who are forced to frequently travel from the Western Hemisphere to the Eastern Hemisphere. The drug helps speed up the process of adaptation to local time, normalizing all biorhythms.
2. Insomnia of various etiologies, including those caused by severe migraine. The sedative properties of the drug, based on increasing the concentration of the natural sleep hormone, which bears the same name, help you quickly fall asleep even in the most difficult situation.
3. Sleep disturbances. The drug helps adjust biorhythms so that a person gets a full eight-hour sleep at night, which is necessary for rest of the whole body.
4. Strong psycho-emotional overexcitation. The drug inhibits the nervous system, allowing a person to relax, which is extremely important for preventing serious health consequences (prevention of stroke and heart attack).
5. Treatment of depression that lasts more than 5 days.

It has been scientifically proven that the medicine slows down the aging process, so it is approved for use by elderly patients, in the absence of other contraindications.

As a preventative measure, Melatonin is prescribed to people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as to patients whose work is carried out at night.

The main advantage of Melatonin over sleeping pills and other sedative drugs is that it is identical to the hormone that is synthesized by the endocrine system, so the body accepts it well without causing adverse reactions.

Contraindications and side effects

Despite the fact that in most cases the medicine is well tolerated, there are categories of patients who should avoid taking it:

1. Childhood and adolescence - the introduction of a hormone can provoke hormonal imbalance, especially during puberty, when the endocrine system is under increased stress.
2. Pregnancy and lactation – during pregnancy, a woman’s hormonal system is constantly changing, so hormones should not be used, especially without the knowledge of a doctor. The drug is well absorbed into the blood and breast milk, which makes its use impossible during breastfeeding.
3. Diabetes mellitus - disorders of pancreatic secretion can be aggravated by artificial administration of hormones.
4. Renal failure in chronic form - drug metabolites are excreted to a greater extent in the urine, so there is an increased load on the kidneys.
5. Autoimmune diseases - Melatonin can intensify diseases and also provoke worsening dynamics.
6. Oncological diseases - the presence of a neoplasm, even of a benign nature, makes taking hormonal drugs dangerous.
7. Epilepsy.

The drug should be taken with extreme caution by persons who have a tendency to develop allergic reactions.

In this case, before starting the course of treatment, it is recommended to reduce the initial dose by 10 times, and then make sure that there are no clinical signs of allergy.

Alcohol can affect the hormonal system, which makes the drug less effective.

In case of increased individual intolerance, the drug is not used in therapy, replacing it with similar properties, but different in composition.

With extreme caution and under the strict supervision of doctors, the drug is used in complex therapy, excluding its simultaneous administration with drugs such as:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• other antidepressants that can increase the sedative effect.

Side effects after taking Melatonin, even if the course is long, are mild and occur extremely rarely.

In most cases, this is due to an independent increase in the dosage recommended by experts, which can manifest itself in the form of:

1. Drowsiness, a feeling of apathy, accompanied by loss of appetite, lack of mood and vitality.
2. Sexual dysfunction, decreased libido.
3. Hyperexcitability.
4. Difficulty waking up in the morning, lack of appetite.

When individual intolerance to the drug is noted, an allergic reaction may develop.

It is characterized by clinical signs such as:

• urticaria - a small red rash that is very itchy;
• swelling of soft tissues;
• drying of the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes;
• angioedema.

The most dangerous manifestation, characterized by a rapid course, is anaphylactic shock. In 35% of cases, death occurs immediately. Anaphylaxis is caused by an acute reaction of the immune system to repeated exposure to an allergen.

If signs of an allergic reaction appear, it is important to quickly provide first aid by introducing into the body a dose of an antihistamine and a sorbent that can reduce the content of toxins in the intestines. You should also call an ambulance, describing in detail the patient’s condition and what exactly caused it.

Perhaps the following topic will be of interest to you: . What foods contain melatonin and is it possible to get this substance from food in sufficient quantities?

Directions for use and doses

The dosage of the drug and the duration of treatment completely depend on what disorder is bothering the patient. There are two options for taking Melatonin:

1. A course of treatment, at least 10 days, allows you to normalize biorhythms and metabolic processes in the body. Effective for severe mental disorders. The dosage is selected individually. If necessary, the course of treatment can be extended to 20 days, after which a break of at least 30 days is required.
2. Single techniques are recommended if insomnia is not associated with a mental disorder and is an isolated phenomenon.

Scientific research has proven that even small doses of Melatonin can have a therapeutic effect. It is recommended to use half a tablet as a single dose of the drug, which is quite enough for a good night's sleep.

Despite the fact that the drug is sold in pharmacies without a prescription and is freely available, it cannot be used independently, which can provoke a number of adverse reactions that are dangerous to the body. At home, it is impossible to determine which dosage is most optimal for a particular case, so it is better not to experiment with your own health, giving preference to the experience of a doctor.

The tablets are taken 30-40 minutes before bedtime, washed down with a small amount of warm water, which speeds up the process of their breakdown.

Since the drug has a sedative effect, its use during the day is not recommended, especially when you plan to perform activities that require increased concentration: driving vehicles, technological processes, etc.

The maximum daily dose of the drug, which does not contribute to the development of adverse reactions, is 6 mg. Typically the therapeutic dose is 1-3 mg. This is quite enough to get good sleep and rest. In the case when it is difficult to wake up in the morning, and the feeling of drowsiness accompanies the whole day, the dosage should be halved.

When selecting the optimal dosage, the following indicators are taken into account:

1. Age – the older the person, the more carefully the amount of Melatonin is chosen so as not to provoke the development of negative consequences.
2. Gender - women have a more active hormonal system, so a third of the tablet is enough for them to sleep soundly, while a man may need a double dose.
3. Weight – if you are overweight, the dose is increased by 1 mg for every 30 kg. If you are obese, it is important to make sure that you do not have diabetes mellitus, which acts as a contraindication to taking this medication.

Foods that contain substances that precede the active production of the sleep hormone will help enhance the effect of the medicine:

• eggs;
• dairy and fermented milk products;
• low-fat varieties of fish.

It should also be taken into account that the level of melatonin in the body can be increased to dangerous levels when a person, in addition to Melatonin, simultaneously uses other hormonal-type sedatives.

This should be taken into account in complex therapy in order to avoid the development of unwanted side reactions.

Overdose

If for some reason the dose recommended by the doctor was increased several times, signs of overdose may develop. The clinical picture will depend on how much the dose is increased. Intoxication occurs already with a fivefold increase in the maximum daily dose.

An overdose manifests itself as follows:

1. Intoxication of the body - nausea and abdominal pain, sometimes with vomiting and diarrhea. Severe chills, rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia.
2. Loss of consciousness - lack of reaction to an external stimulus, decreased body temperature, convulsions. In rare cases, a medically induced coma is observed.

If symptoms of overdose are diagnosed, you should immediately call an ambulance and perform a number of first aid actions:

• empty the contents of the stomach by causing a gag reflex;
• reduce the concentration of toxins by introducing sorbents;
• give a cleansing enema, the water for which should be boiled, but at room temperature.

In no case should you increase the dosage of Melatonin, since in large quantities it can provoke increased stress on the pancreas, liver and kidneys. Nephrotosis is the most dangerous because it can lead to degenerative processes in the kidneys, which will lead to their further failure.

Cost and analogues

A package of 90 tablets, with a dosage of 3 mg, will cost the buyer 860-900 rubles.

Any other variations of melatonin, depending on the intended use, can have excellent prices.

The following drugs can be considered to have a similar therapeutic effect:

• Melaxen;
• Circadin;
• Melapur;
• Melaton;
• Yukalin.

In many countries, melatonin is not considered a drug, but is classified as a dietary supplement.

If you are forced to frequently move from one time zone to another, if you have sleep disturbances, and your immune system is noticeably weakened, then the medicine Melatonin will come to your aid. It will help you adapt to a new time zone and avoid undesirable effects that usually come from conventional sleeping pills, such as lethargy and daytime drowsiness.

We will talk about how to take this remedy correctly, how to correctly set its dosage and in what cases it is worth resorting to such treatment, we will talk in this article. It will also be possible to familiarize yourself with melatonin-containing drugs produced in Russia, Ukraine and abroad: “Melatonin Plus”, “Melaxen”, “Vita-Melatonin”. Reviews from patients and specialists about them will help you in your choice.

What is melatonin?

First of all, let's figure out what substance we are talking about and why our body needs it.

Melatonin is the so-called pea-sized substance that is produced at the base of the brain. Since ancient times, by the way, it was considered an organ of clairvoyance - the “third eye” of a person. This is probably why a lot of mysterious and not fully understood things are still associated with this hormone.

You will read about drugs containing it here) in modern medicine it is considered a regulator of the body’s circadian rhythm. Thus, its level is especially high at night - peak production occurs from 12 o'clock at night to 4 o'clock in the morning. That is, melatonin is a kind of natural sleeping pill.

But, in addition, this hormone is also a powerful antioxidant, with the help of which the body is saved from cancer and premature aging. Melatonin is able to penetrate any cell and exert its protective effect on its nucleus, which contains DNA, and this allows the damaged cell to recover.

Studies on laboratory animals have established that a lack of melatonin in the body of highly organized mammals leads to rapid aging, early menopause, decreased sensitivity to insulin, as well as the development of obesity and cancer.

Medicine "Melatonin": application

But the amount of this hormone produced by the pineal gland is not always enough to provide the full variety of biological effects. For this purpose, a drug containing synthetic melatonin is used.

Preparations with melatonin are good for promoting sleep, since the hormone is able to regulate the sleep-wake cycle (which is especially necessary when forced to change time zones), the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, the endocrine system and brain cells. This hormone also stabilizes blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

The described product is available in tablets. It begins to act within an hour or two after ingestion.

The drug "Melatonin": analogues

According to numerous reviews, synthetic melatonin is considered the least toxic among known substances. The so-called LD-50 was never found for it (we are talking about the dose of the drug at which half of the experimental animals die).

In the USA, where it was discovered in the 50s of the last century, the synthetic hormone is generally classified as a food additive. In Russia, this is a medicinal product, which, by the way, is also available in sports nutrition stores under the name Melatonin.

Analogues of this drug sold in pharmacies are called: “Vita-Melatonin”, “Melaxen”, “Melaton”, “Melapur”, “Circadin”, “Yukalin”. They enjoy deserved popularity in cases where it is necessary to increase physical and mental performance, reduce the impact of stressful situations and improve the quality of sleep.

In what cases are melatonin tablets used?

Accompanying almost every product containing it indicates that it is prescribed for sleep disorders, problems with the human immune system, as well as to alleviate premenstrual conditions in women. By the way, the described hormone is 9 times more effective than the familiar vitamin C, strengthening the immune system and saving our body in the fall and winter from colds and infections.

In addition, melatonin significantly improves memory, learning and concentration. It can be used as part of complex therapy in neurotic patients, as well as in depressive conditions. Melatonin also significantly reduces the energy costs of the myocardium, transferring it to a more economical mode.

The drug also demonstrated excellent results in the treatment of patients with eczema.

Melatonin and lifespan

It is impossible not to draw the reader’s attention to the amazing feature of the hormone to influence the aging process in the body.

As it turned out during research, the level of melatonin in a person’s blood by the age of forty-five is only half the amount produced in adolescence. This is due to the fact that in the pineal gland, where the hormone is produced, by adulthood, as a rule, morphological changes are already detected with the degeneration of cell elements and their death.

Interestingly, rats that received epiphysis transplants from young donors experienced a significant increase in life expectancy. This allows us to conclude that the amount of melatonin in the body directly affects how many years youth will remain.

Why does melatonin prolong life?

And although serious research has not yet been conducted on this matter, experts have already confirmed that if melatonin helps you live healthier and longer, this is due to:

• reducing cell damage from free radicals;
• slowing down the aging of the immune system;
• high protection of the cardiovascular system;
• and also due to the preservation of a normal circadian rhythm and stimulation of the production of growth hormone.

What other possibilities are hidden in the hormone?

According to scientists who conducted studies on volunteers for five years in Norway, seasonal use of melatonin does not have any side effects. Moreover, the body practically does not develop an addiction to it, and the production of its own hormone does not decrease.

Recent studies also suggest that melatonin is very useful for patients with cardiac ischemia, hypertension and gastric or duodenal ulcers. But the most promising effect of the mentioned hormone is in the fight against breast cancer associated with an increase in the level of female hormones estrogen.

Does melatonin cause drowsiness as a sleeping pill?

The undoubted advantages of the synthetic hormone include the reviews available for all drugs containing melatonin, which emphasize that neither in the morning nor during the day these drugs do not give the effect of drowsiness and stunnedness characteristic of sleeping pills and sedatives. If such a reaction to it is still present, it is enough to reduce the dosage to one that will not cause it.

All patients taking tablets with the hormone noted a feeling of vigor and energy after a good sleep, if the dosage was selected correctly.

Features of taking melatonin

Despite the reviews already available about medications containing melatonin, consumers should not forget that this hormone is still fraught with many secrets and mysteries. It continues to be actively studied all over the world.

As already mentioned, the level of production of the “sleep hormone” in the body noticeably changes downward with age. It is produced best and in the largest quantities in children, so there is no need for them to take melatonin.

There are also situations in which you should refrain from taking melatonin:

• due to the currently unknown effect of the drug on the fetus, pregnant and lactating women should avoid it;
• Patients with epilepsy, autoimmune and allergic diseases, as well as women trying to conceive a child should not take melatonin (as the drug has some contraceptive effect);
• In addition, it was found that the drug interacts negatively with substances containing, for example, acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen.

From which it follows that before taking any products with melatonin, you must consult your doctor!

In addition to the above, you should also remember that taking Melatonin tablets, the instructions for which are now being reviewed, should be taken in courses, giving the body a break.

When and how is it best to take medications?

Experts advise taking these remedies only immediately before bed, about half an hour before. On long trips, it is better to take a tablet (1.5 mg) before going to bed. Often the remedy is prescribed 3-4 days before the trip in order to synchronize the biological cycles and rhythms of our body. Do not bite the tablet and wash it down with water.

When asking the question “How to take melatonin?”, remember that this should only be done in accordance with the usual rhythm of sleep and wakefulness. So, if you sleep at night, then you should not take the drug during the day, because it is this hormone that is responsible for the clarity of our body’s biorhythms. In addition, it has been proven that in daylight the hormone is destroyed, and this once again confirms the need to take it only in the evening.

Do medications with melatonin have side effects?

Adverse reactions while taking the synthetic hormone were extremely rare. As a rule, they were expressed by stomach discomfort, headache, drowsiness or “heavy head,” and depression.

Experts remind you that all cases of adverse reactions, even those that are not indicated by the instructions for use attached to any drug containing melatonin, must be reported to your doctor!

If melatonin was taken less than six hours before going to work, then the patient, by the way, may experience a decrease in concentration and coordination of movements.

No drug overdose was observed in patients. Only reviews available for Vita-melatonin tablets noted this condition after a single dose of 30 mg of the substance. This provoked disorientation, loss of memory of previous events and prolonged sleep.

Taking melatonin eliminates drinking alcohol and smoking. Attention! Be sure to consult your doctor before using medications!

Indications for the use of drugs containing melatonin

Once again I would like to remind you in what cases you need to take medications containing melatonin. Reviews about them probably convinced the reader of the usefulness of this hormone. So, the described means are recommended first of all:

• persons suffering from sleep disorders,
• in frequent stressful situations,
• those suffering from neurological disorders, depression and phobias;
• patients with endocrine disorders;
• for menopausal disorders;
• for some cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis;
• for immune disorders;
• older people (this hormone helps resist multimorbidity - a condition in which a person has several diseases at the same time).

What are the signs that indicate you have a melatonin deficiency?

If you have puffy eyes, you look tired, you look older than your age, your hair is graying prematurely, and your behavior is becoming increasingly irritable and anxious, then your body may have decreased production of melatonin.

An equally clear signal of this is shallow sleep, without dreams, as well as gloomy thoughts that overcome you before falling asleep. If you feel like you never get enough sleep, don't cope well with daylight saving time, and are feeling tense and anxious, it's obviously time to seek advice from your doctor to find the right dosage of a melatonin supplement.

There are few things worse than insomnia, the inability to get enough sleep, frequent awakenings in the middle of the night, and in the morning you have to go to work. Insomnia affects both the body and soul of a person, and to a large extent, the ability to function every day. In such cases, many people resort to sleeping pills to finally get some sleep. But not all sleeping pills are equally useful - and not all drugs have only positive effects on people.

When to look for a replacement

Melatonin is one of the most potent remedies for insomnia. The human body itself produces it to regulate sleep. Melatonin is produced by the pituitary gland, released at night in accordance with the rhythm of sleep, and then dissipates as soon as the morning light dawns and it is time to wake up.

Of the many functions of melatonin, the role best understood is the role it plays in maintaining circadian rhythms. In humans, circadian rhythms or "clocks" are regulated by an area called the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

• Using the daily cycle of light and dark, this area creates and maintains a daily cycle.
• Certain hormones are released at certain times of the day. Late evening and early evening release hormones that prepare the body for sleep. In the early hours of the morning, the body begins to prepare for wakefulness and activity.
• Information about light levels reaches the suprachiasmatic nucleus and is then transmitted to the pineal gland deep in the center of the brain.
• The pineal gland releases melatonin at night and suppresses its release during daylight.
• Even when a person is kept away from all external sources of light and time, the body maintains a natural rhythm of wakefulness and sleep.

Melatonin is also a powerful antioxidant, has an anti-inflammatory effect and plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system. Melatonin receptors are present in the brain, cardiovascular system, liver, intestines and kidneys. It is difficult to overestimate the role that melatonin plays for the body. Cheap analogues, although they allow a person to fall asleep, do not have the full range of beneficial properties that are inherent in melatonin.

The production of melatonin, the circadian rhythm hormone, is a completely natural process for the human body. However, certain events - such as stress, poor sleeping conditions, flying in a different time zone and other factors - can temporarily affect its production. If this happens, external melatonin can be added in medication form to help the body cope. However, if melatonin is consumed over a long period of time, the body's natural production of this substance decreases. As a result, addiction can form.

However, you can stop taking melatonin - cheap analogues in some cases can be no less effective for normalizing sleep. If you are already accustomed to using melatonin, you can gradually reduce the dose until the time comes to quit the drug completely.

It is also worth looking for an analogue of melatonin if there is an individual intolerance to the drug or its components, or the side effects when taking the drug are such that its further use is undesirable.

Side effects from taking melatonin may include:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• nausea;
• pressure surges;
• irritability;
• and, oddly enough, sleep disturbances.

Melatonin may interact negatively with other medications, such as immunosuppressants, blood thinners, diabetes medications, and birth control pills. In such cases, you should also think about possible alternatives to medications that contain melatonin. Substitutes may lack some or all of the side effects of melatonin, depending on how your body reacts to them.

Cheap replacement options

There are a huge number of simple measures for sleep that are more effective than medications.

• Mask for sleep. The simplest, but surprisingly effective solution. The mask protects the eyes from the slightest exposure to light, helping the body relax and increase the production of its own “sleep hormone” - melatonin - without any chemical additives.
• Herbal teas. For centuries, herbal infusions have been used to treat a wide range of physical and psychological conditions, including anxiety, depression and insomnia. Teas with valerian, lemon balm, motherwort tincture, and sedatives, which are sold over the counter at any pharmacy, are excellent for sleep disorders. It is important that these teas also taste good. They stimulate the body to produce its own melatonin.
• Magnesium-containing preparations. The body needs magnesium for muscle relaxation, proper alternation of sleep phases and stable functioning of the nervous system. A lack of magnesium balance can cause anxiety, irritability and insomnia.
• Glycine-containing drugs. Glycine is an amino acid that is produced by the body and plays an important role in various functions of the human body - from musculoskeletal and metabolic to cognitive. The human body uses glycine to prepare for sleep and relax. Studies have shown that taking glycine has a positive effect on the quality of sleep in people who tend to wake up in the middle of the night. Glycine also reduces brain hyperactivity, calms nerves, and relieves anxiety, which can impair sleep. In addition, the use of glycine does not cause drowsiness in the morning, as does melatonin.
• L-tryptophan. This is another amino acid necessary for the body to produce serotonin, a substance that is responsible for human mood. Serotonin also plays a crucial role in the production of melatonin. Based on these data, it is believed that taking l-tryptophan may help people suffering from insomnia get a good night's sleep. Although research on the effectiveness of l-tryptophan is limited, this supplement definitely has potential.
• L-theanine- a natural alternative to melatonin, which is devoid of side effects at all. This substance has a calming effect and is used to treat stress, both physical and mental, as well as insomnia. L-theanine in the body is also responsible for regulating and generating alpha waves in the brain, which occur when the human body is completely relaxed. L-theanine helps regulate sleep and suppress beta waves, which can cause a person to wake up in the middle of the night.

Popular

Some of the most popular melatonin analogues on the Russian market are the drug Melaxen, as well as Corvalol and glycine.

Both Melatonin and its analogues cannot be a complete replacement for sleeping pills. In a placebo-controlled study of overnight sleep in insomniacs, melatonin was not superior to placebo. However, melatonin has been shown to have a sedative effect. Simply put, it promotes sleep, but does not guarantee it.

Melaxen analogue, Russian and foreign options

Preparations that contain melatonin:

• Melaxen. The most advertised Russian synthetic melatonin-containing drug. Judging by the reviews, it is quite effective.
• Sonnovan. Melaxen's analogue is Russian, the main active ingredient of which is also melatonin. It is used in the same cases as melatonin - when sleep rhythm is disturbed, after flying between time zones, with poor sleep due to mental disorders, etc.
• Melarithm. Also a drug whose main active substance is melatonin. It costs a little more.
• Mälarena. Another drug is produced at a pharmaceutical plant in the Kaluga region. The manufacturer recommends its drug for the treatment of shift syndrome, weather sensitivity and increased fatigue.
• Circadin. The drug is produced in Germany or Switzerland under a license from an English company. Despite the same active substance, it costs much more.

Prescription drugs

• Phenazepam. One of the oldest analogue drugs of Malaxen. A Russian drug (manufacturer: Valenta Pharmaceuticals OJSC), which has proven its effectiveness.
  Phenazepam belongs to the category of tranquilizers, therefore, it should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor and with great caution - the medicine can cause addiction. In addition, there are a number of side effects.
• So-called Z-group, consisting of three drugs - Zopiclone, Zaleplon and Zolpidem. Although they are produced in different countries and the duration of action and reasons for use of drugs are different, the basic properties of substances from this group are the same - they do not destroy the natural sleep cycle, do not inhibit thought processes and do not lead to addiction. A synonym for zaleplon is Andante, a synonym for zopiclone is Somnol. Zolpidem has not yet entered the Russian market.
• Donormil. A very effective remedy, although it can cause dizziness and drowsiness in the morning.

Drugs without a prescription

• Corvalol. A very popular product in the post-Soviet space, not least due to its low price. The main active ingredient is phenobarbital barbiturate.
• . This is a plant-based drug, the components of which are selected in such a way as to provide a person with the longest and healthiest sleep possible. The drug is available both in tablets and in the form of syrup.
• Glycine. Another popular remedy in Russia, it promotes relaxation and reduces the level of the remedy. For the best effect, it is recommended to dissolve the tablet under the tongue shortly before bedtime.

List of Russian and foreign substitutes

• Andante (Hungary) - from 130 rubles.
• Glycine (Russia) - from 60 rubles.
• Donormil (France) - from 160 rubles.
• Corvalol (Russia) - from 20 rubles.
• Melaxen (Russia) - 432 rubles.
• Melarena (Russia) — 280 rub.
• Melarithm (Russia) — 317 rub.
• Novo-passit (Czech Republic) - from 200 rubles.
• Somnol (Russia) - from 170 rubles.
• Sonnovan (Russia) — 277 rub.
• Phenazepam (Russia) - from 90 rubles.
• Circadin (Switzerland, Germany) - 676 ​​rubles.

: instructions for use and its pharmachologic effect. This hormone is produced by the pineal gland and can also enter the human body with food. According to the results of a number of studies, its production depends on a number of parameters, including the presence of lighting. At the same time, the human body produces up to seventy percent of the daily norm of this substance at night, especially in the period from midnight to four o’clock in the morning.

Melatonin is primarily responsible for the process of falling asleep and the overall quality of rest. In addition, it has an immunostimulating effect and provides additional protection for the body from the negative effects of free radicals due to its pronounced antioxidant effect. If adaptation to temporary changes is impaired, for example, when changing time zones, the use of tablets with melatonin (for example, Melaxen) helps to quickly adjust the circadian rhythms of sleep and wakefulness to new conditions. Reviews of medications with melatonin, which can be found on various thematic resources, also note that, among other things, taking them significantly improves well-being in the morning, eliminating the feeling of weakness and heaviness.

Instructions for use of melatonin and indications for use:

• Insomnia of a one-time or chronic nature.
• Disturbance in overall sleep quality, multiple awakenings at night.
• Regulation of the natural cycle of rest and wakefulness, which is important for people who travel between time zones.
• A powerful antioxidant that protects the body's cellular structures from the destructive effects of free radicals. Also stimulates the production of additional antioxidant enzymes.
• Stimulating effect on the functioning of the immune system to provide more reliable protection against infectious diseases.
• Regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Regarding the question of how to take melatonin, the instructions for use give fairly clear answers to it. The maximum daily dose of melatonin is up to six milligrams of the drug, but a more precise dosage should be selected individually, in accordance with the requirements of your body. Modern manufacturers provide products in the form of tablets weighing 3 mg., 5 mg. It must be consumed whole, without chopping or breaking. A striking example of such a product is which you can purchase in our store at an affordable price. The dosage of this drug for an adult is one or two tablets, which should be taken half an hour before going to bed. For children, the dosage is no more than one tablet.

Unlike the bulk of sleeping pills that can be found on the modern pharmaceutical market, the body does not develop addiction. In addition, the drug as a whole does not have particularly serious side effects. However, it should be understood that its use is associated with interference with natural production processes, so it is better to consult a doctor first. In addition, there are general contraindications, which look like this:

• Hypersensitivity and allergies.
• Presence of autoimmune diseases.
• Chronic renal failure.
• Diabetes.
• Pregnancy and lactation period.

Melatonin is also contraindicated in women during pregnancy and lactation and in children under 12 years of age. The drug should not be used while working with moving mechanisms, driving vehicles or any other activities that require increased concentration.

As reviews of melatonin indicate, in rare cases the drug can cause allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, headaches and diarrhea.

Video: Using melatonin