Bueno APR, Savi FM, Alves IA, Bandeira VAC. Regulatory aspects and evidences of melatonin use for sleep disorders and insomnia: an integrative review.
ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2021;
79:732-742. [PMID:
34550191 DOI:
10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2020-0379]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty of falling asleep or maintaining sleep, which affects different age groups. Currently, melatonin is used as a therapeutic treatment in cases of insomnia in children, adults, and elderly people.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of melatonin in sleep disorders, its dosage, potential adverse effects, as well as labeling laws and regulations in Brazil.
METHODS
This integrative review was carried out using the Cochrane Library, Medline (Pubmed), and Science Direct databases. Twenty-five articles and three documents available on the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology (SBEM) and National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) websites published between 2015 and 2020 were selected to be evaluated in full.
RESULTS
It was found that in most of the selected articles the use of melatonin reduces sleep latency. The effective melatonin doses varied according to each age group, from 0.5 to 3 mg in children, 3 to 5 mg in adolescents, 1 to 5 mg in adults, and 1 to 6 mg in elderly people. Side effects are mild when taking usual doses. In Brazil, no registered drug and current regulation on the use and marketing of melatonin has been identified.
CONCLUSION
The use of melatonin is an alternative therapy that can be used for sleeping disorders. According to the evidences found, it did not demonstrate toxicity or severe side effects, nor dependence even when administered at high doses, suggesting that it is a safe medication to treat patients of different ages suffering from sleeping disorders.
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