Melatonin is a hormone that naturally occurs inside the body and helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle of a person. Melatonin is available in supplement form and is used to treat sleep related disorders like insomnia and jet lag. Melatonin dosage that is considered to be safe and effective is around 1mg to 5mg. The effects of overdosing on melatonin will vary depending on the dosage and also with other factors like the genetic makeup of a person and age. It is best to seek immediate medical attention if you happen to overdose on melatonin supplements.
Symptoms of an Overdose on Melatonin
Even if melatonin is a naturally occuring substance inside the body, it is still possible to overdose on it. If you take too much melatonin supplements, you may experience the usual Melatonin Side Effects and/or it can cause some serious problems like the ones listed below:
- Lethargy
- Problems in the liver
- Problems in the eye
- Seizures
- Weakness
- Disorientation
- Psychotic thinking and/or Psychotic behaviors
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Speech problems
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Shakiness or Tremors
Treatment Options for Melatonin Ovedose
There are no standard procedure on how to treat an overdose of melatonin. Therefore, the treatment for a melatonin overdose will involve supportive care which is primarily focused on treating the symptoms that occur from overdose. For example, if an overdose in melatonin cause seizures, the supportive treatment will involve medications that control seizures. It is very important that you seek medical attention if you think that you may have an overdose of melatonin.
Melatonin References:
Claustrat, B., Brun, J., David, M., Sassolas, G., & Chazot, G. (1992).
Melatonin and Jet Lag: Confirmatory Result Using a Simplified Protocol. Biological Psychiatry, 32, 705-711.
Garfinkel, D., Laudon, M., Nof, D., & Zisapel, N. (1995). Improvement of sleep quality in elderly people by controlled-release melatonin. The Lancet, 346, 541-543.
Jan, J. (1994). The Treatment of Sleep Disorders With Melatonin. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 36, 97-107.
Lino, A., Silvy, S., Condorelli, L., & Rusconi, A. (1993). Melatonin and Jet Lag: Treatment Schedule. Biological Psychiatry, 34, 587.
Zhdanova, I. (1995). Sleep – inducing effects of low doses of melatonin ingested in the evening. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 57, 552-558.
I take 20mg at might to help sleep. I have horrible insomnia. Last night, I had an awful anxiety attack. Is that a side effect?
I have a lot of anxiety, and have had to stop taking Xanax (for reasons I will not disclose at this time). I need something to substitute for the Xanax. I am taking Melatonin throughout the day and at bedtime. So far I haven’t taken more than 15 mg in a day, but I feel that it helps a lot, with no side effects. Is it safe to take 15mg or even 18 mg of Melatonin a day if I’m not experiencing side effects?
I took 3 mg of melatonin.I have severe vertigo after taking it.is this a side effect ?
One thing that I have noticed about melatonin is a big difference in the brands. If you are not happy with the brand that you currently are using try another – you will notice a difference. Of course it depends on your issues but it’s worth a try. One brand’s 3mg is noticably stronger than another brand’s. I haven’t tried every brand out there and like anything else different stuff works differently on different people. The point is – it’s a reasonable sleep aid and so far pretty safe so don’t give up. Another thing that helps with sleeping is journaling – it’s a hard “habit” to develop but it helps a ton. And who knows – if what’s keeping you awake is that interesting to you it probably is to others too – it could be a money maker so write it down!
my 5 year old son took 4 5mg of m. Do I need to worry. He is asleep and I am keeping on eye on him.
i think that is a high dose already. kids should be around 1mg – 2mg of melatonin only.
How much is too much! I am currently taking 10mg,thinking it would be better to help me sleep? I take one almost every night. they do help me to be drowsy and to fall asleep faster, but I wake up frequently just the same, although I do go back to sleep fast. I really like them, just wondering if they would increase my hot flashes, anyone out there have the same issue??
Jackie Cyr
10 mg is a bit too much in my opinion. take only about 1mg to 3mg.
But why is there that dose?? 10 mg is on the market? Not sure still, need to check this out? Wondering if one can take too much, and can overdose???
i am taking 4- 10mg tablets right now. i started with 3mg, and just kept taking more. it hasnt done anything to me, but help me sleep.
Yuck…I have headaches and disorientation….horrible. And I only took 1mg of the melatonin.
Did you have bad dreams??? Nightmares?
I had a bad dream within a bad dream,no more melatonin for me.
I have MS. I was diagnosed in October….actually on my birthday. I have been on copaxone since November 2007. I had to be put on antidepressants, etc to help me get over the realization I have the diagnosis. I have been put on xanax, which helps me sleep. Anyway, when I talked to my neurologist he prescribed me melatonin. I have taken it so I can slowly get off xanax, but I think I am getting an allergic reaction to it. My face is red and I have gotten a fever, as well as dizziness and headaches. I don’t know if that is my problem by taking the hormone, but by researching more on it…it might be. I think I will stay with the xanax. Thank you for having this website, so I can understand I am not going crazy.