Melatonin XL 2mg 30 Prolonged-release Tablets

The recommended dose is one 2mg melatonin tablet once daily, swallowed whole with water.

Because these are prolonged-release tablets, they should not be crushed, broken, or chewed, as this can affect how the medicine is released overnight (1).

Some people with specific sleep disorders or underlying conditions may be prescribed melatonin differently by a specialist. Always follow the exact instructions given by your prescriber, as they will have made recommendations based on your symptoms, medical history, and individual circumstances.

If you accidentally take more melatonin than prescribed, you may feel unusually drowsy or groggy. While an extra dose is unlikely to cause serious harm in most cases, you should contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice (1).

When should I take melatonin?

Melatonin should be taken in the evening after food, around 1-2 hours before bedtime (1,6).

These prolonged-release tablets are designed to mimic your body’s natural melatonin production, releasing the hormone bit by bit. Taking your tablet at the right time gives the medicine a chance to be absorbed and begin working, so it helps you naturally transition into sleep once you get into bed.

It’s best to take melatonin when you’re planning to go to bed at a sensible time and can allow yourself a full night’s sleep, where possible. If you need to wake unusually early or get less sleep than normal, you may be more likely to feel groggy the next morning.

What if you miss a dose?

If you forget to take your tablet, take it as soon as you remember before sleep, even if later than you originally planned and less than 1 hour before bedtime.

If you don’t remember the missed tablet until after you’ve gone to bed, wait until your next scheduled dose. Taking the tablet too late at night can increase the chances of feeling drowsy tomorrow. When it comes to the next day, do not take a double dose to make up for a missed tablet.

Can I take melatonin tablets every night?

Yes, melatonin prolonged-release tablets are usually taken nightly while prescribed treatment. They only work while you take them, so using them daily supports your sleep cycle each night.

Unlike some prescription sleeping tablets, melatonin also doesn’t cause dependence or withdrawal symptoms when treatment stops. That said, this product is intended for short-term use for up to 13 weeks, rather than as a permanent long-term sleep solution unless you have been specifically advised otherwise by a specialist.

If your sleep problems continue, keep returning, or worsen despite treatment, you should speak to your prescriber for help and advice.

How long does melatonin stay in your system?

Melatonin itself doesn’t stay in your system for long at all, but Accord melatonin 2mg tablets are specifically designed to release melatonin slowly rather than all at once. This helps mirror your natural melatonin levels throughout the night, but it also means it stays in your system longer.

For this specific product, the terminal half-life is around 3.5 hours to 4 hours, meaning it takes that long for the amount of melatonin in the body to reduce by half after reaching peak levels (1). This means most of the melatonin will be cleared from the body the following morning.

Because these tablets are licensed for adults aged 55+, it’s also relevant that metabolism slows with age. This means some older adults may process the medicine more slowly, which helps support overnight coverage but may also make next-day drowsiness more noticeable in some people.

Melatonin is generally well tolerated, and many people experience no side effects at all when taking the prolonged-release pills as prescribed. In clinical trials, 48.8% of patients on melatonin reported an adverse reaction vs 37.8% on placebo in clinical trials (1).

Most commonly reported side effects are mild and uncommon, affecting up to 1 in 10 people (7):

• Feeling sleepy or groggy the next morning

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Tiredness

• Nausea

• Dry mouth

• Indigestion or stomach discomfort

• Irritability

• Restlessness

• Anxiety

• Unusual dreams or nightmares

Because melatonin can make some people feel drowsy, avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel less alert than usual.

There are also rare, more serious side effects. Examples include fainting, chest pain, blurred vision or other visual problems, disorientation, depression, feeling your heart beating, and changes in certain blood cell counts.

For a full list of side effects, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medication.

How long do the side effects last?

General side effects should subside within 12 hours as the drug will have likely cleared from your body by this time. Drowsiness or grogginess is usually most noticeable the morning after taking a dose, particularly if you took your tablet later than recommended or didn’t get a full night’s sleep.

Other side effects, such as headache, dizziness, or digestive discomfort, are often also temporary, but if they continue, worsen, or start affecting your daily life, you should seek medical advice.

How can you reduce the side effects of melatonin?

There are several simple ways to reduce the chance of side effects from melatonin tablets:

• Take the dose of melatonin you’ve been prescribed

• Take your tablet after food

• Take it 1–2 hours before bedtime

• Swallow the tablet whole (do not crush, break, or chew it)

• Avoid alcohol before, during, and after taking melatonin

• Try to allow enough time for a full night’s sleep

• Avoid taking extra doses

If you regularly feel groggy the next day, or the treatment doesn’t feel right for you, speak to your prescriber. They may be able to adjust your treatment plan or recommend an alternative option.

When should you seek medical guidance?

Stop taking melatonin and seek urgent medical advice if you develop symptoms that could suggest a serious side effect, such as:

• Fainting or feeling close to fainting

• Severe chest pain

• Blurred vision or sudden changes to your vision

• Severe dizziness, vertigo, or feeling disorientated

• A racing, pounding, or unusual heartbeat

• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the mouth, tongue, or skin

You should also speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or prescriber if less serious side effects are persistent or getting worse, if your sleep becomes worse instead of improving, or if you notice unexpected symptoms that worry you.

If you’re ever unsure if a symptom is related to your treatment, it’s always best to check.