is melatonin safe? | ADHD Information

Hello,

I have not started stimulant medication yet but I've been using melatonin for 8 months to help me sleep. Actually, without it I rarely get sleepy on my own. I started on 1mg and worked up to 3mg but for a child maybe 1mg would be enough.

I have never heard of that growth rumor. I think the most common side effect of melatonin (besides sleepiness...ha!) can be "unusual" dreams (more intense, nightmares). I had a bad experience once years ago on the first night I used it and didn't give it a chance again for a long time. I haven't had any problems.

WebMD info: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/75/89832.htm?z=1728_0000 0_1000_ln_01

If you google "ADHD" and "melatonin" you'll find a bunch of info. Good luck!
boredngrumpy38598.7475231482I've been taking melatonin for 10 years and never had a problem. You do have less produced by your body as you grow older but I'm not sure about kids taking it. All it does is stop the monkey chatter, it's not a knock out drug and yes, the weird dream thing at first for some people. I take 3mg. and that's the normal dose. I've taken up to 8 at once before when I was having anxiety attacks and had nothing else to take and  even that didn't do anything but make me a little groggy!  my son who's on concerta has a really hard time going to sleep,so when school started i heard about melatonin and it worked good,i give 1mg sublingual. but the guy at gnc said that melatonin keeps kids from growing. i asked the peds dr she never heard of it. the psych. said oh don't give that it keeps them from making it and they will have more problems. but gees he needs sleep he even with the melatonin can't sleep before 10 pm.My son's pediatrician recommended melatonin when Caleb started taking Concerta last year.  He said it's non-habit forming, wouldn't interfer with his medication and was safe to use every day.  However, it's not working as well this year as it used to. Looks like we may need to try something else . . .

I started giving it to my son (age 5) in August.  It is great.  It really helps get him to sleep and now that school has started I believe it has helped his behavior too cause now he is not sleepy and crabby at school and day care.  I have a friend who gives it to her 2 autistic daughters also. 

can you tell me why he said 6? Thanks, Sab
do any of you give it to your kids?i would be lost without it. so i hope it is ok.

I just took Rozerem which acts on melatonin receptors. It is much more potent than melatonin alone. It's supposed to make me feel sleepy but so far an half hour has passed away and I don't feel anything so far.

With ADHD kids you need to give 6mg on Melatonin.

I got this information from a trusted nutritionist at my health food store, and from my neurologist.  I think your pediatrician is spouting off with no real information!