Posology
Delayed sleep wake phase disorder
In children and adolescents (6-17 years) and adults up to 25 years of age
Treatment should be initiated by physicians experienced in DSWPD and/or paediatric sleep medicine.
The recommended starting dose is 1 to 2 mg once a day, 1-2 hours before the fixed desired bedtime, given as 1-2 ml of the oral solution. The dose of melatonin should be adjusted individually until effective up to a maximum of 5 mg per day, independent of age. The lowest effective dose should be sought and taken for the shortest period.
After 6 weeks of treatment, the physician should evaluate the treatment effect and consider stopping treatment if no clinically relevant treatment effect is seen. In patients with significant continuing daytime sleepiness or misaligned circadian rhythm the possibility of high residual melatonin in the morning should be considered. In these cases melatonin can be stopped and restarted at a lower dose. The dose that adequately alleviates symptoms should be taken for the shortest period. There is insufficient safety data to support long term use of melatonin in children approaching puberty. After the achievement of advanced sleep-wake phase for 6 weeks, treatment should be stopped to evaluate if the patient can independently maintain an advanced sleep-wake schedule. If withdrawal of melatonin results in clinical relapse, melatonin can be resumed and continued.
Limited data are available for up to 3 years of treatment (please see section 4.4).
Adults over 25 years of age
In adults whose symptoms persist past the age of 25 and who have shown clear benefit from treatment, it may be appropriate to continue treatment. However, initiation of treatment in adults over 25 years of age is not appropriate.
Short-term treatment of jet lag in adults
The standard dose is 3mg daily for a maximum of 5 days. The dose may be increased to 6mg if the standard dose does not adequately alleviate symptoms. The dose that adequately alleviates symptoms should be taken for the shortest period.
The first dose should be taken on arrival at destination at the habitual bed-time.
Due to the potential for incorrectly timed intake of melatonin to have no effect, or an adverse effect, on resynchronisation following jet-lag, Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution should not be taken before 20:00hr or after 04:00hr at destination.
Food can enhance the increase in plasma melatonin concentration (see section 5.2). Intake of melatonin with carbohydrate-rich meals may impair blood glucose control for several hours (see section 4.4). It is recommended that food is not consumed 2h before and 2h after intake of melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution.
As alcohol can impair sleep and potentially worsen certain symptoms of jet-lag (e.g. headache, morning fatigue, concentration) it is recommended that alcohol is not consumed when taking melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution.
Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution may be taken for a maximum of 16 treatment periods per year.
Insomnia in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Treatment should be initiated by physicians experienced in ADHD and/or paediatric sleep medicine.
The recommended starting dose is 1-2 mg, 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
The dose of melatonin should be adjusted individually until effective up to a maximum of 5 mg per day, independent of age. The lowest effective dose should be sought and taken for the shortest period.
The dose that adequately alleviates symptoms should be taken for the shortest period. There is insufficient safety data to support long term use of melatonin in children approaching puberty. After at least 3 months of treatment, the physician should evaluate the treatment effect and consider stopping treatment if no clinically relevant treatment effect is seen.
The patient should be monitored at regular intervals (at least every 6 months) to check that melatonin is still the most appropriate treatment.
During ongoing treatment discontinuation attempts should be attempted regularly, e.g. once per year and treatment discontinued if it is not effective.
If the sleep disorder has started during treatment with other medicinal products, dose adjustment or switching to another product should be considered. If significant problems are seen in sleep maintenance or early morning waking, an alternative formulation of melatonin should be considered.
Limited data are available for up to 3 years of treatment (please see section 4.4).
Adults
In adolescents whose symptoms persist into adulthood and who have shown clear benefit from treatment, it may be appropriate to continue treatment into adulthood. However, initiation of treatment in adults is not appropriate.
Use for short-term sedation under medical supervision to facilitate non-operating theatre diagnostic procedures in children and adolescents from 1 to 18 years
Melatonin should be given 30-45 minutes before the anticipated start of the procedure as a single dose of 3mg for children weighing less than 15 kg and 6 mg for those weighing more than 15 kg. Where possible this dose should be administered after a period of sleep deprivation to maximise the sedative effects. One further dose at 50% of the initial dose - 1.5 mg (<15 kg) or 3 mg (>15 kg) may be given if sleep is not achieved after 45 minutes. Therefore the maximum daily dose is 4.5 mg in children weighing less than 15 kg and 9 mg for those weighing more than 15 kg.
Due to the presence of benzyl alcohol in the formulation and the risk of accumulation especially in younger children it is not recommended to perform more than one diagnostic procedure in each 24 hour period.
Elderly
As the pharmacokinetics of melatonin (immediate release) is comparable in young adults and elderly persons in general, no specific dosage recommendations for elderly persons are provided (see Section 5.2).
Renal impairment
There is only limited experience regarding the use of Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution in patients with renal impairment. Caution should be exercised if melatonin is used by patients with renal impairment.Melatonin 1mg/ml Oral Solution is not recommended for patients with severe renal impairment (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).
Hepatic impairment
There is no experience of the use of Melatonin 1mg/ml Oral Solution in patients with hepatic impairment. Limited data indicate that plasma clearance of melatonin is significantly reduced in patients with liver cirrhosis. Melatonin 1mg/ml Oral Solution is not recommended in patients with hepatic impairment (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).
Method of administration
Melatonin Oral Solution is for oral use only. A 10 ml graduated oral syringe with intermediate graduations of 0.5 ml and a “Press-In” Bottle Adapter (PIBA) are provided with the product.
1. Open the bottle and at first use, insert the “Press-In” Bottle Adapter (PIBA).
2. Insert the syringe into the PIBA and draw out the required volume from the inverted bottle.
3. Remove the filled syringe from the bottle in the upright position
4. Discharge the syringe contents into the mouth.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 if doses greater than 5ml are required.
6. Rinse the syringe and replace the cap on the bottle (PIBA remains in place).