Is the brand of melatonin labeled on the container what I am actually getting?

This blog is part of my series on “Should I Give My Child with Autism Melatonin to Sleep?” The goal of my series is to help you figure out if melatonin is right for your child.

Parents ask about whether the brand of melatonin labeled on the container is what they are actually getting. They want to be sure what they give their child is safe. Another way to ask this question is:

What does the melatonin pill, gummy, or liquid actually contain (besides melatonin)?

Melatonin is not considered to be a medication by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US agency that makes sure drugs are safe. Instead, melatonin is classified as a dietary supplement, like vitamins. We can buy melatonin at supermarkets, drug stores, and other places. You don’t need a prescription to buy melatonin.

Different brands of melatonin may vary widely in how much melatonin they contain. To make matters worse, melatonin brands may contain other products, including chocolate. Chocolate has caffeine, which is a stimulant. Caffeine is also found in coffee and sodas and keeps us up at night. I love chocolate, but not when I am trying to sleep! Melatonin has also been combined with CBD, whose effects are still unknown in children. CBD is cannabidiol (substance found in marijuana that does not cause a “high.”)

So read the label carefully. The safest melatonin product you can give your child is one that only contains melatonin. That way, if there is a bad effect, you will know it is due to melatonin and not another substance. Melatonin has been baked into brownies, and combined with CBD in gummies, which can make it tempting for a child to take too much (and lead to overdoses).

Figure 1. Melatonin supplements.

A few years ago, I led a study on melatonin for sleep in autism that required us to obtain FDA approval for the brand of melatonin we used. I used a brand called from a company called *Natrol®. They are one of a few melatonin brands to carry the USP verification mark, which means that they adhere to standards of quality, such as:

· Contains the ingredients listed on the label, in the amounts listed.

· Does not contain harmful levels of other products.

· Will break down and release into the body within a certain amount of time.

· Has been made according to Good Manufacturing Practices

To get the USP Verification Mark, companies undergo a process that includes inspections of their plants, review of how the melatonin is made, and testing of samples to make sure the product meets quality standards. Looking for a brand of melatonin that carries this USP verification mark can be very helpful in knowing that you are dealing with a reputable brand.

There are other labels similar to USP. Here is a good article to read more.

*I have not received any consulting fees from Natrol®

I hope you will read more of my blogs, and learn how to decide if melatonin makes sense for your child.