Melatonin Viatris (Melatonin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Melatonin Viatris Used For?
Melatonin Viatris contains melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone produced in the body that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Primary Uses
Melatonin Viatris is used to improve sleep quality and morning alertness in patients over 55 years of age with primary insomnia with poor quality of sleep.
How It Works
Melatonin works by controlling the circadian rhythms (your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle) and increasing the propensity to sleep.
How to Take Melatonin Viatris
Take Melatonin Viatris exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. Follow all instructions provided with your medicine.
Dosage Instructions
The standard dose is one tablet once a day. Take with or soon after food (or with a snack), 1-2 hours before you go to bed. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew or divide your tablet as it has been specially designed to release the right dose of medicine while you sleep. Do not take for longer than 3 weeks unless advised by a doctor.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your tablet, take another as soon as you remember, before going to bed or wait until it is time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Important: Do not exceed the recommended dosage. There is no evidence that taking more than the recommended dose will increase the effect.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- back pain, joint pain, swelling of joints, neck pain, muscle spasms, feeling tired, night cramps
- diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, indigestion, dry mouth
- urinary tract infection
- excessive thirst, passing large volumes of urine
- cough or respiratory tract infections, cold
- irritability, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, abnormal dreams, nightmares, anxiety
- headache, migraine, weakness, dizziness, night sweats, vertigo
- watery eyes
- itching, itchy rash, inflammation of skin, rash, dry skin
- increased blood pressure
- menopausal symptoms, hot flushes
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- heart palpitations, tightness or severe chest pain spreading to arms, jaw, shoulder or back
- reduced visual acuity (visual impairment), blurred vision
- loss of consciousness or fainting, memory impairment, disturbance in attention, disorientation
- leukopenia (decreased white blood cells), thrombocytopenia (decrease in platelets)
- shingles
Important Warnings
Before taking Melatonin Viatris, make sure it’s safe for you by checking these important warnings.
Who Should Not Take Melatonin Viatris
Do not take if you are allergic to melatonin or any ingredients in the medicine. Do not take if you have been drinking alcohol or intend to drink alcohol or believe you may have alcohol in your bloodstream. Do not give to children or adolescents under 18 years old. Do not take if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have liver problems, kidney problems, suffer from an autoimmune disease, or have a rare hereditary problem of galactose intolerance, LAPP lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Melatonin Viatris if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. The medicine has not been studied in pregnant or breast-feeding women. If you become pregnant while taking Melatonin Viatris, stop taking the tablets and tell your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Melatonin Viatris and affect how it works. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.
Important: The effect of adding Melatonin Viatris to other medicines used to treat insomnia has not been examined.
- hypnotics and tranquilisers (e.g. benzodiazepine)
- fluvoxamine, thioridazine and imipramine (used to treat depression or psychiatric problems)
- oestrogen (contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy)
- cimetidine and psoralens (used to treat skin problems e.g. psoriasis)
- alcohol
- caffeine
Alcohol & Driving
Melatonin Viatris can affect your ability to drive and may interact dangerously with alcohol.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol before or after taking this medicine. Do not take Melatonin Viatris if you have been drinking alcohol or intend to drink alcohol or believe that you may have alcohol in your bloodstream.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Melatonin Viatris rarely causes drowsiness, but it is not recommended to drive or operate machinery for 8 hours after you take it. The medicine does not impair morning alertness, but if you suffer from drowsiness during the day you should consult your doctor.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Melatonin Viatris, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (In Australia telephone 13 11 26 and in New Zealand 0800 POISON [0800 764 766]) for advice, or contact your doctor or pharmacist, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take Melatonin Viatris 1-2 hours before you go to bed. The tablet is specially designed to release the right dose of medicine while you sleep.
Yes, Melatonin Viatris should be taken with or soon after food (or with a snack), 1-2 hours before you go to bed.
No, do not drink alcohol before or after taking this medicine. Do not take Melatonin Viatris if you have been drinking alcohol or intend to drink alcohol.
If you forget to take your tablet, take another as soon as you remember, before going to bed or wait until it is time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Do not take for longer than 3 weeks unless advised by a doctor. Continue taking for as long as your doctor or pharmacist prescribes.
No, swallow your tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew or divide your tablet as it has been specially designed to release the right dose of medicine while you sleep.
Melatonin Viatris is specifically used to improve sleep quality and morning alertness in patients over 55 years of age with primary insomnia. However, you should check with your doctor about any medical conditions you may have.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.