Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Melatonin as follows:
- Melatonin can interact with a number of other medications and can precipitate serious reactions. If you are being newly started on melatonin, discuss with your physician regarding all other medications you are currently taking and their safety with melatonin. Also, if you have been taking melatonin for long, discuss with your physician regarding your history of melatonin intake, when you are being started on any new medication.
- Melatonin intake can induce dizziness and make one drowsy. Do not take melatonin with alcohol or opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, as these products can add to the dizziness and confusion caused by melatonin. A number of OTC cough medications and antihistamines, muscle relaxant medications, antidepressant medications, antipsychotics, and antianxiety medications, can potentiate the confusion caused by melatonin and so, must be avoided taking along with melatonin.
- Individuals with history of organ transplants, usually will be placed on steroids and other immunosuppressant medications, to prevent activation of immune response and consequent organ rejection. Melatonin intake in such individuals can compromise the therapeutic benefit of steroids and other immunosuppressant medications, thus mounting a strong immune response and resulting in organ rejection. Melatonin must be used with extreme caution or avoided in such individuals, to prevent any transplant rejection.
