"We don't prescribe Melatonin because it doen't work". Any thoughts?

[pinkorkid]

Having read recommendations on here re effectiveness of melatonin for poor sleepers, I asked GP if he thought it would be worth trying for dd. She has severe eczema and seems to have built up a tolerance to the antihistamine given at a sedative dose that she normally takes, hence awake for hours scratching at night and missing days off school. He was intigued that I had heard of it but said no longer prescribed because it didn't work.

Is this perhaps true of neurotypical children but not of those with ASD or ADHD because of differing brain chemistry? Or is it perhaps down to cost? (Cynical, moi?) Or risk of side effects? If your child has been prescribed it, was it by consultant rather than GP?

Not quite ready to give up on it without knowing more as we are desperate for some sleep?

Thanks.

liking olympic's new "off-label" use for melatonin

I don't understand why it's so expensive, mine cost less than $10 for 120 3mg tablets & I had a deal for buy 1 get 1 free. How on earth can they charge those prices ?!

Health food = food manufacture regulations and standards.
Medicine = pharmaceutical regulations
Unlicensed medication = pharm regs plus lack of competition

Think breast implants with industrial v medical grade silicone and you get the idea of the price difference, and the fear of non-approved imports.

My son has been taking it for about the last 3 years - he has an ASD, and just has difficulty getting off to sleep not staying asleep so it works great. We get it from a Paed too but last time we saw her she said they (??) want her to stop prescribing to children as there are no studies showing the effect of long term use.

I am trying to reduce/wean him off, I have tried nearly everything else, homeopathy, etc but nothing else works as well but I think in reality he is going to have to put up with less sleep as I too am worried about the long term usage. Especially as he will be starting to go through puberty soon I am not sure what the effects of this could be. Obviously if we wanted to and the paed would not prescribe anymore then we could buy online but I'm not sure that he should continue taking melatonin indefinitely!

Have just come back from the US with a couple of bottles of melatonin off-the-shelf from the chemists (3mg tabs) to try with DS (8, suspected ADHD, goes to bed fine but difficulties of 2-3 hours falling asleep).

I took a tablet on the plane, and it certainly helped me zone out.

I know DIY prescribing is frowned upon, but I think doctors are working with the same kind of educated guess/try this strategy and we are still waiting for dx appointment so I think it's worth giving it a cautious go.

Tonight I gave him half a tab (1.5mg) at around 6pm which I now realise is probably too early and too little from what I read about the half-life.

Can anybody chat to me about dosage and routine?

Hi
Ds1 aged 2.8 GDD ASD has 5mg every night, he was prescribed by (for 3 months) to help him form a routine.
We started with 3 mg but in a few days we realised that he would still wake up in a few hours, so Paed suggested increase the dose to 5 mg.
We give him every night at 8pm, we have spoken to sleep nurse as well and she says that it has to be given at same time every day along with the other things we do with the bed time routine, we also turn off all the screens(tv,iPad etc) after his meal to help him calm down , offer him a warm drink before a bath.
Idea is that child should be asleep within 15-20 mins of him being in bed
We are still in process of sleep training him, will update as we see more progress.
Hope it helps.

Thanks. Will try with a bit more, a bit later in the routine tomorrow.