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 [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on how to take Melatonin as follows: Take this medication as ordered by your physician. Do not change the dose and frequency on this medication without consulting your doctor. Take the medication dose for the duration prescribed without fail. Take the medication dose at the same time, every day, to avoid forgetting the intake of medication. Taking the medication at regularly spaced intervals help maintain appropriate blood levels of melatonin needed to [...]

Patient/caregiver was instructed upon factors influencing production of melatonin as follows: Night shifts Individuals working night shifts can experience disruption of their natural melatonin cycles, owing to their shift work, which can result in disruption of their sleep-wake cycle. Blindness Exposure to sunlight during the day not only inhibits the production of melatonin during the day, but also sets the ground from normal production of melatonin during the night. Blind individuals, due to their poor [...]

Patient/caregiver was instructed upon factors influencing production of melatonin as follows: Exposure to sunlight Natural sunlight during the day inhibits the production of melatonin during the day and sets the ground from normal production of melatonin during the night, thus helping to promote the regular sleep-wake cycle. Darkness Exposure to darkness during the night promotes the production of melatonin in the night, thus helping to induce the sleep. Travel across time zones Individuals traveling across [...]

Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses of melatonin as follows: Melatonin is also believed to play a significant role in controlling the release of sex hormones, such as, androgens and estrogens. By reducing the release of these sex hormones, melatonin plays a significant role in controlling the growth of sex hormone dependent cancers, such as, estrogen dependent breast cancer and androgen dependent prostate cancer. Melatonin is believed to contribute towards improving the findings of depression, [...]