Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using melatonin as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Melatonin use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with melatonin, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Central nervous system side-effects
- Melatonin intake can result in episodes of vivid dreams, and hallucinations. Individuals taking melatonin can also present with disturbance with 24-hour sleep-wake rhythm, interrupted sleep, nightmares, and restlessness with consequent headache and daytime drowsiness.
- Individuals taking melatonin, over prolonged periods of time, can also present with compromised alertness and memory.
- Melatonin use, especially in individuals with history of anxiety and bipolar disorder, can result in exacerbation of depressive symptoms, changes in behavior, irritability, and compromised sexual drive.
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Melatonin use can also lower the blood pressure and consequently, result in episodes of light-headedness and confusion.
- The light-headedness and confusion can add to the daytime drowsiness, thus increasing the risk for falls and accidents.
