melatonin bought on-line

I buy melatonin when I'm in N. America for work/holiday as it's available OTC there. You need to be careful of the dose as the bottles they sell are widely different in dose, and (at least as an adult who uses it to get over jetlag) different people need different doses. I buy the lowest dose I can get and sometimes I only need half a tablet - so I wouldn't be surprised if children need very small doses.

I have been reading about this on the NICE website out of interest and:

The melatonin that you are probably getting is licensed for older adults, but it is "off label" for children. It sounds like this one is slow-release. The melatonin that you'll get online is unlicensed i.e. it's not licensed for a different group or disorder - it's not licensed AT ALL. And it's not likely that it will be slow release. It says there's no evidence it's any use beyond a day or two for sleep disorders as nobody has tested it. It seems that some people use it for ADHD too and that's been looked at in the medium term but it's hard to say if it's safe in the long term. I'd be a bit wary of unprescribed melatonin in the long term for children.

It sounds like one important difference too is the type of tablet - if you aren't getting slow release tablets, it may not keep your child asleep in the same way (my drugstore melatonin also sends me to sleep but doesn't really keep me asleep).  I use that for a few days when I'm really struggling, and as the link shows that's how they've tested unlicensed melatonin for children with sleep disorders - rather than over months or even over weeks to be honest.

NICE guidance

we have the medicine prescribed so that is not slow release
It is true that it doesnt keep DD asleep but we were regularly taking 3-4 hours to get to sleep with massive anxiety during that time. I am so happy to have (most) of my evenings back to a more normal set-up

I am interested to hear this as although we are struggling to get confirmed diagnosis, Camhs did suggest a while ago that as Bert has big issues getting to sleep, still hyper in his room at midnight, sleep walking etc that they would consider prescribing melatonin for him.

Looks like this option is going to be taken away, I can't see how we could consider buying on line if he has never used it before, too many unknowns, but I do understand why others would obtain the melatonin on line if it has already been proven to work and that relief has been taken away

Abiee, the melatonin we have IS prescribed and is slow release. My BS has Apsergers and a condition called Rhythmic Movement Disorder. His prescription helps him fall asleep and keeps him asleep. Our paediatrician handed over the responsibility of prescribing to our GP and only sees him once a year now. He's been on it for 2 years and his paed sees no need to take him of it in the "medium term" and I quote. I guess it's a postcode lottery. But certainly CAHMS in our area are very happy to prescribe it if needed. PM me if you want to know more.

Bert sounds an awful lot like my son. It's draining. Pre melatonin it was taking around 5 hours to get him to sleep and nothing worked consistently. Sometimes massage helped, the dream catcher sometimes helped, initially the monster spray worked until the novelty wore off. The blanket swinging worked occasionally. But nothing really works as well as melatonin. Often, even now, if he struggles to sleep then he'll go into our bed. Doesn't need either of us with him - then gets carried back to his own bed later.

Just had a quick chat with DH (who happens to be a pharmacist) - he says it is almost certainly cost as product is off-license and a special. His comment was buy from US based suppliers. As thespouses says it is legally available there. Also if you are not being able to get it prescribed keep banging on at them - get letters from school etc. It can still be prescribed just have to understand potential issues. My mother is on an off license drug which she had to fight long & hard to get so I do understand the problems.

Hi bapuss. As I understand it, Melatonin is a natural product we make in our own bodies-it's just topping it up. If my BS forgets to take his tablet, he is down the stairs within 1/2 hour as there's no way he'll be going to sleep without it and he knows. So in my experience we have to take it every night. We do a planned no tablet every 6 months but the same result always occurs.

It's true- I just don't think our busy kids make enough if it naturally.

I used to work with a lady who's son has epilepsy, she said his meds were pretty hefty things and was upset because she had no choice but to give them to him despite the fact that no 'safe' dose had ben established for children because it's not legal to test such strong meds on children. It was hell for her every time he grew because it took ages to get the dose right to stop the seizures. 

Melatonin isn't in this category....!!!

SC x

I am going to be pushing for this to be prescribed at the next meeting. Midnight last night,yet again clearing the floor of his room from toys and obstacles, heaven knows what would happen if we had to evacuate quickly. He had built a den betweem 11pm and midnight,and when I went to put the covers over him he turned round,sat up wide awake and said I am still not tired mummy.