Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking melatonin as follows: Do not take melatonin with alcohol or opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, as these products can add to the drowsiness and confusion caused by melatonin. A number of OTC cough medications, antihistamines, and antianxiety medications, can potentiate the drowsiness caused by melatonin and so, must be avoided taking along with melatonin. Caffeine and alcohol can compromise the sleep inducing [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking melatonin as follows: 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 [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking melatonin as follows: Melatonin must be cautiously used in individuals with history of hypotension and in individuals on antihypertensive medications for poorly controlled hypertension. Melatonin intake carries risk of lowering the blood pressure numbers and consequently, results in episodes of light-headedness and confusion. Individuals with history of hypotension can present with severely low blood pressure numbers, secondary to melatonin intake. Observe compliance with log maintenance [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking melatonin as follows: Melatonin must be cautiously used in individuals with history of diabetes and poorly controlled blood sugars. Melatonin intake can compromise the therapeutic effect of medications taken for blood sugar control and carries risk of poor blood sugar control in diabetics. Individuals can present with signs and symptoms of poor blood sugar control, such as, dry mouth, frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Melatonin as follows: Melatonin is extensively metabolized in the liver. If liver function is deficient, the metabolism of melatonin can be compromised. This can lead to increased blood levels of the medication for longer periods of time, resulting in increased risk for side-effects and consequent toxicity. So, melatonin could be avoided for an alternative medication or used with caution and dose adjusted accordingly, in individuals with hepatic dysfunction, [...]