Melatonin from US for child?

[SpinningTops]

Are there any downsides?

DD may have ADHD. She's 7, she's on a waiting list for an assessment. She finds school difficult.

She finds it difficult to get to sleep. It takes her hours to drift off. Once asleep she stays asleep until morning.

We won't be able to get melatonin without a diagnosis. But it seems very easy to get from the USA.

I'd get a low dose (1mg) from a reputable website (pipingrock).

Would this be dreadful parenting? To get prescription drugs from abroad? I'm torn on what the right thing to do is.

giving children hormones is wrong
www.drugs.com/melatonin.html

It reacts badly with people who have IBD , obviously this is probably not the case with your child but worth mentioning as it made me seriously ill from taking it only once for a flight

My 8 year old takes 5mg. I get from Piping Rock and she takes 5 gummies a night.

I think only cahms can prescribe when it’s a child. My GP has prescribed it for me, I’m 53 and it’s done nothing unfortunately.

He’s ok when he gets to sleep but can take upwards of 90 mins of him singing, thrashing about and talking to himself. With a gummy, he’s asleep in about 20.

2mg slow release is the standard starting dose for kids.
You could also try the patches or gummies which you can buy online on amazon, both have good results in people I know who have used them.
You can check the link below for up to date info on the drug
https://bnfc.nice.org.uk/drugs/melatonin/

Melatonin doesn't work for everyone unfortunately so just bear that in mind. Also its supposed to help children drift off to a natural sleep not keep them asleep
Don't get me wrong I know some people swear by it just pointing out it has its. Limitations.

A paediatrician would start your child off on 2mg melatonin. You could try “natural” melatonin initially, this is sold in the uk and is a blend of magnesium and some other things

This is all very helpful.

I like the idea of a Sunday reset. It's not expensive so I could buy a pack and use them sparingly, Sunday night sounds good to set up for a week of school.

I worry about over-reliance on it. But perhaps rare use is ok.

I've done this for DS since he was 13. Helped masses. We no longer need it now he's older as he seems to need less sleep so it's ok if he goes to sleep later. He doesn't have ADHD but his father does and he's inherited some of his dad's sleep issues such as being unable to sleep for hours after going to bed and being hard to wake. I wish I'd discovered melatonin when he was 7! Would have made a big difference. I also take it myself as an adult with insomnia.

You know you can buy 10mg gumm*es rather than take 5 2mg?

I know this isn't what you asked but have you tried magnesium? You can get it as a an oil to spray on or as powder supplements. For me, it feels the same as melatonin - a really natural drowsiness

I'll order some magnesium today to try.

At least I won't feel guilty about that one!!

Do you find the oil or the powder works best?

I buy from piping rock for my child. She doesn't find it very effective though. I don't think it's unreasonable for you to import some for your child, it's harmless

Melatonin is a hormone that we produce in the body in response to darkness. The contrast between day and night provides triggers to the production of the hormone. Daylight - spending significant time outdoors, followed by evening - a gradual reduction in light levels, to complete darkness, will have the same effect as chewing a gummy providing a synthetic version of the hormone. Unless your child has an inability to produce the hormone - a rare condition that should be looked at by a professional, then some work put into lifestyle choices can have great effects not just for childhood sleep, but way through to adulthood too.

In the USA, Melatonin is an unregulated food supplement. Often brands contain more or less than the stated dose and some brands were found to contain other medications unstated on the label.

Would speak to a medical professional, there are reasons that Melatonin is a prescription only drug in the UK.

@SpinningTops As you seem to know nothing, this is not a good plan.
Speak to a medical professional.

I'm not sure where I've led you to believe I know nothing. It's something I've considered for a few years. I know about melatonin and the mechanisms involved. We have good evening habits but she can't stop her brain and activity.

I'm fairly confident that we would get it prescribed with a diagnosis, but with a long wait list plus extra for medication review this wouldn't be possible for at least 2 years.

So it can be wait 2+ years all whilst her school work falls further behind. Or try something available OTC in most other countries which might make a huge difference. It is all in her interest, not just because we want her asleep by 8 to get an easier life.

My hesitation is because I do appreciate that in this country it is a prescription only medicine and therefore I'm going to try the magnesium first.

@SpinningTops Because you are trying to get it from America, if it was suitable for your child's needs your Dr would prescribe it...... Not Dr Google .

@Warmwoolytights ? Got zapped before I could see ?

But the issue is a GP will not prescribe. And due to the extensive waiting lists for assessment we will not see a paediatrician for years ...

So even if everyone believes it's the best option I have no way of getting it other than from America.

@SpinningTops right ..... There's a waiting list. I've waited since before covid for surgery.
What is your medical background?

You've clearly decided you are correct, you do you

Yes they can my GP said if I can't get a paediatrics appointment soon he will prescribe a short course to help

I completely get that this is important with prescription medicines.

But with this particular supplement I can't see much risk.

If we lived in Spain or USA I could go buy it OTC for my child. I'm imagining the prescription nature of it in the UK is so it is not misused by parents just after an easy bedtime. Which is not me!