Melatonin can be considered as a hormone which our body makes when we are exposed to darkness. The increase in the melatonin levels make us feel calm and sleepy. Thus, it is appropriate to say that this hormone plays a very important role in controlling our circadian rhythm.

If you are struggling with sleep issues, then you can consider taking melatonin supplements. So, a lot of people might want to know how long does melatonin last, its dosage & side effects. These details will help you a lot if you are thinking about taking melatonin for resolving your sleep issues.

Sometimes, melatonin is also used for the purpose of treating different conditions, such as migraine, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc.

Here, we will be discussing in detail about the length of duration this medication will remain in our system. Along with that, we will also be going through its dosage and side effects.

How long does melatonin last in your body?

When it comes to the duration the melatonin supplements remain in our system, it can be ascertained that this supplement will not remain in our body for too long.

• As per reports, melatonin has a half-life of about 40 to 60 minutes. This can be considered as the time it takes for our body to eliminate half of the taken melatonin.
• Now, it takes about four to five half-lives for a drug to be completely eliminated from our body. In that case, the melatonin supplements will remain in our body for about 5 hours.
• The people who try to stay awake during this time duration might experience a number of effects, such as tiredness, drowsiness, etc. Hence, it is recommended that you avoid using heavy machinery, or driving within 5 hours of taking melatonin.
• Taking the drug at the right time is also very important. In case you take it too late, you will be experiencing drowsiness the next day.
• However, it should be kept in mind that every person’s metabolism is different, and hence, the total time taken for this drug to exit our system will also vary from one person to another. 
• In addition to that, the total time, melatonin remains in our system will also depend upon a number of factors, such as overall health status, body composition, caffeine intake, smoking, age, frequency of melatonin use, type of dosage form, other medications, etc.

Melatonin Dosage

In case you are wondering how long does melatonin last, you might also be interested in finding out the dosage of melatonin.

• This supplement is not considered as a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is available as a dietary supplement. This shouldn’t encourage you to take the supplement in excess doses.
• In the majority of the cases, the dose of melatonin supplements will vary from 1 – 5 mg. If you are thinking about taking a melatonin supplement, then you must start with the lowest dose, and then slowly increase the dose if you feel that you are not getting the desired efficacy.
• Starting with a high dose can lead to potentially unwanted side effects. It can also lead to the disruption of the normal circadian rhythm. As a result, you will feel sleepy during the day. Hence, taking the correct dose of melatonin is very important. 

Regular melatonin supplement & Extended release melatonin

The people who are wondering how long does melatonin last, should take a look at the two different kinds of melatonin that are available. These include the regular melatonin & extended release melatonin.

• The regular melatonin tablets can be considered as immediate release supplements. This means, these tablets will become dissolved as soon as they are taken. As a result, these tablets will help in releasing the melatonin instantly into the bloodstream.
• On the other hand, the extended release melatonin tablets tend to dissolve slowly. They will release the melatonin gradually over time. It is appropriate to say that the extended release of melatonin mimics the way our body naturally makes melatonin throughout the night time. As a result, this type of melatonin tablet is considered as a better option for staying asleep at night.
• The extended release melatonin tablets are known by different names, such as slow release melatonin, continuous release melatonin, time release melatonin, controlled release melatonin, and prolonged release melatonin.
• If you are confused regarding which melatonin tablet to take, then you must discuss the same with your healthcare provider. They will help you in choosing the best melatonin supplement.

Side effects of melatonin

Now that we know how long does melatonin last and its dosage, let’s take a look at the side effects of this supplement.

The most common side effects of melatonin supplement include:

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Nausea.

Some of the rare side effects of this medication include the ones listed below. These side effects are generally observed when you take too much melatonin.

• Mild tremors

• Mild anxiety

• Nightmares

• Temporary feeling of depression

• Reduced alertness

• Abnormally low blood pressure

In addition to that, it should be kept in mind that you should avoid taking this supplement during the following instances:

• Kidney or heart disease

• Autoimmune disease

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Seizure disorder

• Depression

• Taking medications for hypertension or diabetes

• Taking immunosuppressants or contraceptives

We have seen how long does melatonin last, its dosage & side effects. So, it is appropriate to say that in the majority of the cases, this supplement will remain in our body for about 5 hours. However, this duration can vary slightly depending upon a number of factors. The dosage of this medication must be carefully determined in order to avoid side effects. Always start with the lowest dose, and then gradually increase the dose until you are able to achieve the desired results. If you take the drug in the correct doses, then you will not experience much side effects. However, if you take excess doses of melatonin, then it might lead to a number of harmful side effects.

 

 

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