In an umbrella review of melatonin supplementation, reported adverse effects appeared uncommon, and were predominantly mild effects such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, and fatigue.[1] In some studies, doses as high as 75 mg have been used without any serious adverse effects reported.[2]
It’s worth noting that there are some concerns regarding the safety of melatonin in young children and infants. In a report by the CDC, melatonin ingestion by children resulted in a number of hospitalizations between 2012 and 2021, including at least two infants who ultimately died.[3]
References
- ^Posadzki PP, Bajpai R, Kyaw BM, Roberts NJ, Brzezinski A, Christopoulos GI, Divakar U, Bajpai S, Soljak M, Dunleavy G, Jarbrink K, Nang EEK, Soh CK, Car JMelatonin and health: an umbrella review of health outcomes and biological mechanisms of actionBMC Med.(2018 Feb 5)
- ^Silman REMelatonin: a contraceptive for the ninetiesEur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol.(1993 Apr)
- ^Lelak K, Vohra V, Neuman MI, Toce MS, Sethuraman UPediatric Melatonin Ingestions - United States, 2012-2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.(2022-Jun-03)
- ^Erland LA, Saxena PKMelatonin Natural Health Products and Supplements: Presence of Serotonin and Significant Variability of Melatonin ContentJ Clin Sleep Med.(2017 Feb 15)