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Original poster

Melatonin - is it safe for a 16 year old?

47 replies

wanttokickoffbutcant · 24/09/2025 23:23

Just after some advice.....I have melatonin that I have bought online for me for occassional use as I have insomnia. My DD16 has really disordered sleeping which we want to reset. Is it safe for her to take a tablet? She is bigger than me in height and weight and I have no side effects from taking it. Only advice on line seems to be either no, not under 18 or that people give to very young children. I am not thinking this would be regular - just to get her internal clock a bit more life friendly!

OP posts:
Lemoncanine · 24/09/2025 23:24

No advice but my 16 yr old has been prescribed it: 4mg (2 tabs)

Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 24/09/2025 23:26

Thanks Lemon - was your GP happy to prescribe?

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MusicalCarbuncle · 24/09/2025 23:27

I mean, it is prescribed for children but I think I’d want to know why the sleep was disordered in the first place.

It can also give you very vivid and frightening dreams as my son discovered on a trip to France where you can buy it in Carrefour!

Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 24/09/2025 23:27

I have 3mg tablets so may try with one.

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raspberryberet7 · 24/09/2025 23:27

My son he been taking it since he was six he is now 17. He takes 6mg a night

MusicalCarbuncle · 24/09/2025 23:28

It’s basically a hormone and a fairly potent one at that. If she has eg jet lag then it might help, but if she is struggling to sleep/insomnia/anxiety then there are probably better ways of tackling the issue.

200skies · 24/09/2025 23:28

My baby was prescribed it so I'm sure she'll be fine.

Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 24/09/2025 23:29

raspberryberet7 · 24/09/2025 23:27

My son he been taking it since he was six he is now 17. He takes 6mg a night

Is 6mg a really high dose then? I took that the first time I took them and it made me feel very weird.

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MusicalCarbuncle · 24/09/2025 23:33

well, I am a pretty robust sized person (!) probably easily 2x the weight of your average 16yo girl. I took 2mg and felt incredibly weird. And I’m a lifelong insomniac who can take horse tranquilising quantities of Valium with no effect.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is, it probably won’t do any harm unless she has a serious mechanical sleep disorder like eg apnoea, but hormones are unpredictable …

MusicalCarbuncle · 24/09/2025 23:36

Starting dose is usually 2mg slow release according to NHS website.

Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 24/09/2025 23:36

She has some issues going on which explain the sleeping but I think they would be easier to deal with if she was sleeping better so a bit of a circle!! We have just removed her from school as her mental health was in the toilet and I need to make sure that she has a proper structure to her day. No issues with phones or gadgets in bedroom. I think I will try her on 3mg and then try (probably unsuccessfully) to get her a GP appointment asap and see if they will give her a prescription. I am just wary of giving unprescribed meds to her even though she is the same size at least of what I am taking.

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BadWoIf · 24/09/2025 23:37

If you do decide to give it to your DD, start with a very low dose. My DD has 1/4 mg and it works very well for her. That would probably be too small a dose for a 16 year old, but are your tablets 3mg each? If so, you could possibly cut it in half so she just gets 1.5 mg and see how she goes with that.

However, before you cut any in half, check the packaging. If it says that the tablet must be swallowed whole, or says anything about being slow release/sustained action/long release, don't cut them up.

Christwosheds · 24/09/2025 23:38

My dd was prescribed it at 16. It did give her nightmares though.

Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 24/09/2025 23:40

Well she has just taken one (2mg) and now I will probably be up all night checking on her but hopefully one of us will get some sleep. She has no physical issues and really no mental issues since removing from school so hoping she will just get the sleep she so needs. Thanks all for your help.

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BertieBotts · 24/09/2025 23:41

6mg is huge.

If you want to try it I'd try half a 3mg tablet. You can buy it from shops similar to Boots where I live, my 16yo has been taking it (on approval from his doctor) since he was about 10. He has ADHD and struggles to sleep otherwise.

The highest dose that is sold here outside of pharmacies is 1mg.

Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 24/09/2025 23:44

Sorry, just realised I have said 2mg and 3mg in my posts. I have 2mg and she has taken one tablet. She doesn't have to be up early tomorrow so I will let her sleep til she wakes up - will see what time she drops off because she has been up nearly all night the last few days.

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Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 24/09/2025 23:47

BadWoIf · 24/09/2025 23:37

If you do decide to give it to your DD, start with a very low dose. My DD has 1/4 mg and it works very well for her. That would probably be too small a dose for a 16 year old, but are your tablets 3mg each? If so, you could possibly cut it in half so she just gets 1.5 mg and see how she goes with that.

However, before you cut any in half, check the packaging. If it says that the tablet must be swallowed whole, or says anything about being slow release/sustained action/long release, don't cut them up.

She is 5'6 and about 8 stone something. I took two tablets and I am 5'2 and 8 stone so would think she would be fine with the the 2mg? I was a bit spun out on 4mg so would not give her that.

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brightgreenpepper · 24/09/2025 23:50

My 8yo DS takes it, not prescribed but I did lots of research first and felt confident we were doing the right thing. I read everything from mumsnet threads to papers in medical journals.

2mg slow release seemed the be the general starting dosage point for children on the NHS so that’s what I gave him and it works.

DS gets about 2-3 hours extra sleep per night which is so beneficial to him.

CagneyNYPD1 · 24/09/2025 23:53

I have nothing much to add as I have never taken Melatonin myself but when I was in Germany recently, I saw that it is sold in low doses in the supermarket. Alongside the plasters, vitamins and the throat lozenges. It was harder to buy Paracetamol. Hopefully, your dd will have a good night’s sleep.

brightgreenpepper · 24/09/2025 23:53

I have asked DS if it makes him feel any different - he says not, but he can just close his eyes and go to sleep like a regular person! He spends hours squirming and thrashing about pre iously.

Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 24/09/2025 23:59

@CagneyNYPD1 I have a friend in Germany so might see if they can send me some as the private prescription was spendy! She took it 15 minutes ago so will pop in shortly and check....thank you all for the reassurance that I wasn't going to inadvertantly hurt her!

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Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 25/09/2025 00:00

brightgreenpepper · 24/09/2025 23:53

I have asked DS if it makes him feel any different - he says not, but he can just close his eyes and go to sleep like a regular person! He spends hours squirming and thrashing about pre iously.

This is what I am hoping for - this is also me. I end up feeling stabby lying next to DH who falls asleep if he just sits down too long.

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Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 25/09/2025 00:04

brightgreenpepper · 24/09/2025 23:50

My 8yo DS takes it, not prescribed but I did lots of research first and felt confident we were doing the right thing. I read everything from mumsnet threads to papers in medical journals.

2mg slow release seemed the be the general starting dosage point for children on the NHS so that’s what I gave him and it works.

DS gets about 2-3 hours extra sleep per night which is so beneficial to him.

Could I ask where you get yours from?

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BilbaoBaggage · 25/09/2025 00:13

I buy it when I go to the US for work. My capsules are 10mg. I have never been remotely spaced out by them.

Original poster
wanttokickoffbutcant · 25/09/2025 00:28

Wow - wish I could get those for me. I work for a US company so might see if they will send me some 😂

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