Melatonin (Pediatric)
A synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Dosage by Body Weight
Standard pediatric dose: 0.5 mg to 3 mg given 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
- Body Weight
- Children 10-30 kg
- Dose
- 0.5 mg to 1 mg
- Frequency
- Once nightly
- Tracking Notes
- Use only after behavioral interventions have been tried.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children 10-30 kg | 0.5 mg to 1 mg | Once nightly | Use only after behavioral interventions have been tried. |
Formulation
Purpose
Short-term treatment of sleep onset insomnia in children, especially those with ADHD or Autism.
Generic Name
MelatoninBranded Drug Names
Melatonin (Pediatric) is listed as a generic drug name. Common branded medicines that may contain the same active ingredient include:
Scheduled Drug
No. This medicine is generally not treated as a scheduled/prescription-only drug in common consumer references, but local rules may vary.
Alternatives
Safety Advice
Alcohol
UNSAFEMelatonin (Pediatric): Alcohol can worsen drowsiness, mood changes, impaired judgment, or heart rhythm effects. Avoid alcohol unless your prescriber confirms it is safe.
Pregnancy
CAUTIONMelatonin (Pediatric): Use in pregnancy only when prescribed after weighing mental health benefits and medicine-specific risks.
Breast Feeding
CAUTIONMelatonin (Pediatric): May pass into breast milk. Use while breastfeeding only with specialist guidance and infant monitoring.
Driving
CAUTIONMelatonin (Pediatric): May cause sleepiness, dizziness, slowed reaction time, or concentration changes. Avoid driving if affected.
Liver
CAUTIONMelatonin (Pediatric): Use caution in liver disease because several psychiatric or sedating medicines are processed by the liver.
Kidney
CAUTIONMelatonin (Pediatric): Kidney disease may require monitoring or dose adjustment for some medicines in this group.