Compresse di melatonina per l'insonnia
Adaflex, Circadin
Revisione paritaria di Sid DajaniUltimo aggiornamento di Michael Stewart, MRPharmSUltimo aggiornamento 30 Ago 2023
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Melatonin is useful in helping to promote sleep in people over the age of 55 years who have difficulty sleeping. It also helps to promote sleep in children with learning difficulties such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD.
Take one 2 mg tablet 1-2 hours before bedtime, with a snack.
Melatonin will make you feel sleepy, so do not drive and do not use tools or machines until this effect has worn off.
A colpo d'occhio
Melatonin is a medicine used to treat poor sleep and is available as tablets, capsules, and liquid forms.
It helps your body's natural sleep pattern, especially if your natural melatonin production has reduced.
Different brands of melatonin are prescribed for certain age groups or conditions, such as insomnia in adults over 55.
Take melatonin exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually 1-2 hours before bedtime with food or a snack.
Do not drink alcohol with melatonin as it reduces the medicine's effectiveness.
Common side-effects can include feeling tired, headache, or indigestion.
About melatonin
Tipo di medicinale | Hypnotic (sleeping tablet) |
Utilizzato per | Sonno scarso |
Chiamato anche | Adaflex®; Ceyesto®; Circadin®; Civasta®; Slenyto®; Syncrodin® |
Disponibile come | Modified-release tablets, tablets, capsules and oral liquid medicine |
Sonno scarso can mean that you have difficulty getting to sleep, or that you wake up for long periods during the night, or that you wake early, or that you do not feel refreshed in the mornings.
Insomnia is a fairly common condition, but it does not usually last for long. Melatonin is a hormone which occurs naturally in the body and is associated with the control of the body's sleep pattern. As we grow older the amount of naturally occurring melatonin in the body reduces. Taking melatonin adds to the body's natural supply and helps to promote and improve the quality of sleep.
Circadin® and Civasta® tablets are prescribed for people over the age of 55 years who have insomnia, or difficulty sleeping.
Slenyto® tablets are prescribed for poor sleep in children between the ages of 2 years and 18 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Smith-Magenis syndrome.
Adaflex® and Ceyesto® tablets are prescribed for poor sleep in children aged 6 to 17 years with ADHD. They can also be prescribed for adults who experience jet lag.
Syncrodin® tablets are prescribed for adults who experience jet lag.
Sometimes a doctor may prescribe melatonin for other groups of people with sleeping problems. If this is the case for you, the way you take melatonin and your dose may be different from the information in this leaflet. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of anything.
Before taking melatonin
Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking melatonin it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:
Se hai problemi con il funzionamento del tuo fegato o con il funzionamento dei tuoi reni.
If you have an autoimmune disease - a condition in which the body is attacked by its own overactive immune system. It includes conditions such as artrite reumatoide, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.
Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.
Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.
How to take melatonin
Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about melatonin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
Take melatonin exactly as your doctor tells you to. For adults the dose is usually one 2 mg tablet daily, taken 1-2 hours before bedtime. For children with ASD the usual starting dose is 2 mg taken 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime. Your child's doctor may increase the dose slowly to get a better response.
Take the tablet with a snack or after eating some food. This will help the medicine to work later into the night. Swallow the tablet whole - do not break or crush the tablet because it is designed to release melatonin slowly over a few hours.
If you forget to take a tablet at the usual time but you remember before you go to sleep, take it when you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, just take the next dose as usual. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento
Do not take melatonin for longer than your doctor advises. It can be prescribed for up to 13 weeks for adults over 55.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking melatonin because it will reduce the medicine's effectiveness in helping you to sleep.
Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your progress can be monitored.
There are some general recommendations that may help promote good sleep. Try to reduce the amount of caffeine you drink, especially in the afternoon and evening. Try to avoid eating heavy meals or drinking alcohol before bedtime. Exercise early in the day, rather than in the evening.
Can melatonin cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects but not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the side-effects associated with melatonin. Children may be more likely than adults to experience these side-effects. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.
Melatonin side-effects (these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people) | Cosa posso fare se sperimento questo? |
Feeling tired or sleepy | Do not drive and do not use tools or machines until these effects have worn off |
Mal di testa | Bevi molta acqua e chiedi al farmacista di consigliare un antidolorifico adatto. Se i mal di testa persistono, informa il tuo medico |
Indigestion, feeling sick (nausea), stomach ache | Attieniti a cibi semplici - evita pasti ricchi o piccanti |
Feeling irritable or restless, mood swings, dry mouth, abnormal dreams, night sweats, dry or itchy skin, pains in the arms or legs | Se uno di questi diventa problematico, parla con il tuo medico |
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice. Children with ASD may be more likely to experience mood swings, irritability or aggression when taking melatonin.
How to store melatonin
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Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali
Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali
Non assumere mai più della dose prescritta. Se sospetti che tu o qualcun altro possa aver assunto un sovradosaggio di questo medicinale, recati immediatamente al pronto soccorso del tuo ospedale locale. Porta con te il contenitore, anche se è vuoto.
Questo medicinale è per te. Non darlo mai ad altre persone, anche se la loro condizione sembra essere la stessa della tua.
If you are having an operation or dental treatment, always tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Se acquisti dei medicinali, verifica con un farmacista che siano sicuri da assumere insieme agli altri tuoi medicinali.
Non conservare medicinali scaduti o indesiderati. Portali alla tua farmacia locale che li smaltirà per te.
Se hai domande su questo medicinale, chiedi al tuo farmacista.
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Domande frequenti
Can I take melatonin if I have an autoimmune disease?
If you have an autoimmune disease, it's important that your doctor or pharmacist knows before you start taking melatonin. This is because some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and extra care may be needed.
Are there any specific lifestyle changes I can make to improve my sleep while taking melatonin?
Yes, there are several general recommendations that can help promote good sleep alongside taking melatonin. You should try to reduce your caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening. It's also advisable to avoid heavy meals or alcohol before bedtime. Additionally, exercising early in the day rather than in the evening can be beneficial.
What should I do if I notice unusual side-effects in a child taking melatonin?
Some side-effects due to melatonin can be more common in children. For instance, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) might be more prone to mood swings, irritability, or aggression. If you notice any troublesome symptoms, or any other symptoms you think might be related to the tablets, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
How should I store melatonin medication?
Melatonin should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light. It is very important to keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of melatonin?
If you forget to take your tablet at the usual time but remember before you go to sleep, you should take it then. However, if you don't remember until the following day, simply take your next dose as usual. Do not take two doses together to compensate for a forgotten dose.
Ulteriori letture e riferimenti
- Manufacturer's PIL, Circadin® 2 mg prolonged-release Tablets; Flynn Pharma Ltd, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated October 2021.
- Manufacturer's PIL, Slenyto® 1 mg and 5 mg prolonged release tablets; Flynn Pharma Ltd, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated October 2021.
- Medicinali Completi BNF 89ª Edizione; Associazione Medica Britannica e Società Farmaceutica Reale di Gran Bretagna, Londra.
Informazioni sull'autoreVisualizza il profilo completo

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS
Responsabile Revisione Foglietti Illustrativi – Contrattista, Farmacista
BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS
Michael è un farmacista comunitario che esercita nelle Midlands e nel South Yorkshire con oltre 20 anni di esperienza nel consigliare su farmaci e condizioni mediche. Ha una solida esperienza nella formazione sanitaria, avendo prodotto e tenuto corsi di formazione per team di farmacia e personale di strutture di assistenza residenziale, inclusi infermieri. Ha anche contribuito a consigli consultivi farmaceutici per la gestione di condizioni a bassa gravità nella comunità.
Informazioni sul recensore

Sid Dajani
Sultan Dajani si è laureato alla London School of Pharmacy nel 1994 ed è diventato il più giovane membro eletto del consiglio della Royal Pharmaceutical Society dalla sua fondazione nel 1842.
Storia dell'articolo
Le informazioni su questa pagina sono scritte e revisionate da clinici qualificati.
Articolo disponibile anche in Inglese, Tedesco, Spagnolo, Francese, Italiano, Portoghese, Hindi, Ebraico, Arabo, and Svedese.
Prossima revisione prevista: 29 Ago 2026
30 Ago 2023 | Ultima versione

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