Posology
For the short-term treatment of jet lag in adults:
The standard dose is 3 mg (3.0 ml) daily for a maximum of 5 days. The dose may be increased to 6 mg (6.0 ml) 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 re-synchronisation following jet-lag, Melatonin should not be taken before 20:00 hr or after 04:00 hr at destination.
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.
Melatonin may be taken for a maximum of 16 treatment periods per year.
Sleep onset insomnia in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with ADHD:
Treatment should be initiated by physicians experienced in ADHD and/or paediatric sleep medicine.
Recommended starting dose is 1-2 mg (1.0-2.0 ml) 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
The dose of melatonin can be increased by 1 mg (1.0 ml) every week until effect up to a maximum 5 mg (5 ml) per day, independent of age. The lowest effective dose that controls symptoms should be taken for the shortest period.
There is limited data available for up to 3 years of treatment. After at least 3 months of treatment, the physician should evaluate the treatment effect and consider discontinuing the 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, especially if the treatment effect is uncertain, discontinuation attempts should be done regularly at least once per year.
If insomnia has occurred during treatment with ADHD medication, dose adjustment or change of the treatment should be considered.
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.
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 (1.0 – 2.0 ml) once a day, 1-2 hours before the fixed desired bedtime. The dose of melatonin should be adjusted individually until effective up to a maximum of 5 mg (5.0 ml) per day, independent of age. The lowest effective dose that controls symptoms should be 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.
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.
Single use for short-term sedation under medical supervision to facilitate EEG 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 (3.0 ml) for children weighing less than 15 kg and 6 mg (6.0 ml) 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 (4.5 ml) in children weighing less than 15 kg and 9 mg (9.0 ml) for those weighing more than 15 kg.
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). However, individual elderly patients may be more likely to be slow metabolisers of melatonin with the potential for high residual morning levels of melatonin. In cases where there is excessive morning sleepiness, a lack of effect on DLMO and / or advancing sleep phase the possibility of impaired melatonin clearance, too high a dose, or too late a time of administration should be considered.
Genetic polymorphisms of CYP enzymes and other slow metabolisers
Polymorphisms in CYP1A2, CYP1A1 and CYP2C19 may affect first pass metabolism and systemic clearance of melatonin contributing to interindividual variability.
Renal impairment
There is only limited experience regarding the use of Melatonin in patients with renal impairment. Caution should be exercised if melatonin is used by patients with renal impairment. Melatonin is not recommended for patients with severe renal impairment (see section 5.2).
Hepatic impairment
There is only limited experience regarding the use of Melatonin in patients with hepatic impairment. Limited data indicate that plasma clearance of melatonin is significantly reduced in patients with liver cirrhosis. Melatonin is not recommended in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).
Method of administration
For oral use.
The required dose should be drawn from the container into the graduated syringe using the syringe adaptor (see section 6.6).
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 2 h before and 2 h after intake of melatonin.