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Who should not take melatonin ()?

Talk to your doctor before taking melatonin if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or herbal/health supplements. Melatonin may not be recommended in some situations.

There is no information available regarding the use of melatonin by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

How should I take melatonin ()?

The use of melatonin in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal/health supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

If you choose to take melatonin, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Melatonin is available in a tablet formulation. Other formulations may also be available.

The use of melatonin derived from animal pineal tissue may carry the risk of contamination or the means of transmitting viral material. The synthetic form of melatonin does not carry this risk.

Store melatonin as directed on the package. In general, melatonin should be protected from light and moisture.

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