Some Side Effects & Adverse Effects of Melatonin

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May 16, 2024

By Joie Meissner ND, BCB-L

“Short-term side effects of melatonin appear mild, resolve when stopping the medication, and do not limit its use in most cases,” a 2023 scientific review found. “Many studies of the long-term use of melatonin have shown no difference in the incidence of long-term side effects between exogenous melatonin and placebo.” ¹

A panel of experts at NatMed Pro reported that “orally, melatonin is generally well tolerated.” ²

“Serious side effects are rare and happen to less than 1 in 1,000 people,” according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service’s webpage titled “Side Effects of Melatonin.”

The most common side effects are dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and nausea—with serious adverse effects being related to seizure risk listed as rare, according to NatMed Pro experts. ³

Links to more information on melatonin:

Theoretically, melatonin might increase the risk of seizures but evidence is mixed. Some studies show melatonin may decrease the risk while other show it could increase the risk. ^{4, 5}

Some studies showed a correlation with increased risk of seizure. ⁶ And other studies showed no increased risk. ^{7, 8} And still other studies showed a decreased risk. ^{9, 10}

It can rarely cause vivid dreams and nightmares. Rare serious side effects include serious allergic reactions. ¹¹

Melatonin can cause reduced alertness and might impair balance, which can increase risk of falls. ¹²

The above is not an all-inclusive list of possible side effects of melatonin. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication or supplement.

Adverse Effects

Melatonin supplementation commonly causes dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and headache.

• Incorrect use of melatonin can cause irregular sleep-wake cycles. ¹³
• Melatonin is typically taken to cause drowsiness; it can also cause fatigue especially if melatonin is taken in the morning or at very high doses (greater than 50 mg) ^{14, 15}
• Melatonin can cause nausea, mild abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhea constipation, or decreased appetite. Often these symptoms subside after a few days. ¹⁶ Some studies show that the rates of these symptoms are not different than those of taking a placebo or inert pill that does not contain melatonin. ¹⁷
• Melatonin supplements may cause migraine-like headache in some people. This might resolve after a few days. ¹⁸

Melatonin has been reported to cause reflux esophagitis also known as GERD.

A case of exacerbated symptoms of Crohn’s disease in a patient who took oral melatonin 3 mg at bedtime for 4 days. The symptoms resolved when melatonin was discontinued. ¹⁹

Melatonin has been linked in a United Kingdom study to increased risk of fracture in adults averaging 65 years old. Those who had taken 2 mg doses of extended-release melatonin were 44% more likely to suffer a fracture than the control group. ²⁰

Melatonin has been linked to increases in urinary incontinence.

It’s unclear if melatonin can adversely impact cardiovascular risk factors. One study found that melatonin might increase levels of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. However, the findings indicate that these increases “may not affect the plasma levels of LDL and HDL particles in postmenopausal women” who had no preexisting elevations in cholesterol levels. ²¹

It’s unclear if melatonin supplementation, especially when taken at night in lower doses, could worsen depression symptoms like low mood. But some studies say it might at higher doses or in moderate doses taken during the daytime. ^{22, 23}

Extremely high doses of melatonin (250 to 1200 mg daily) might worsen depression and bipolar disorder. ²⁴ However, in a study using lower doses, ranging from 0.5 to 6 mg daily for up to 3.5 years, the study participants with depression did not report any worsening of their symptoms. ²⁵

In a double-blind study, melatonin supplementation in various doses was linked to increased sadness in six depressed patients, 2 of which had a terminal neurological illness called Huntington’s chorea. ²⁶ In two studies of children taking melatonin, it was linked to decreased “dips in mood”. ^{27, 28, 29}

The above is not an all-inclusive list of adverse events related to melatonin supplementation. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication or supplement.

To find out how to boost natural melatonin levels without taking supplements, click link below:

Nutrition for Making the Most of Natural Melatonin

Care informed by the understanding that emotional and physical wellbeing are deeply connected

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Citations

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