Melatonin - why do I always have a problem at the chemists?

[WetAugust]

Son has been on melatonin now for 5 years.

I got used to the 'we don't keep this in stock so have to order it in as a special item so there will be a delay' every time I tried to get his prescription made up.

Recently it's been 'we have been told not to prescribe capsules any more because they are imported so we guidelines tell us we need to dispense tablets - but we can't dispense tablets without checking with your GP that he's happy to change from capsules to tablets'. Waited 2 weeks for them to check with GP who said OK - and the chemist then disensed CAPSULES! Arghh!

Latest 'melatonin is unlicensed so we cannot dospense it so instead we are going to dispense Circadin but (of course) we have to contact your Gp to ensure he's happy that we replave the melatonin with Circadin'. Can you wait another week.

Am I the only person who has such a bloody hassle getting melatonin?

Melatonin has always been unlicensed as far as I know so what's new? I was told that Circadin is usually presrined to 55+ age group who experience insomnia. I asked if it was a natural remedy, which melatonin is, but go a yes/no answer.

It's not the same chemist that i have problems with - I have tried them all in the local area. Is there a trick I am missing here?

I always have to wait a few days extra for them to order it in but I've never been told that they can't give it to me. I usually get capsules rather than tablets and no-one's mentioned guidelines. The latest prescription was about a month or so ago so I don't know if things have changed since then?

circadin is just a slow release melatonin tablet, its what ben has, its made up of melatonin just in a slow release form, also it is a licensed version whereas some of the melatonin preparations (ie liquid capsule, tablets etc) are unlicensed i know this one is definately licensed. hope that helps

can you tell me if this helps your child please? my son is having a nightmare trying to sleep, he is so anxious all the time he cant switch off and we have been seeing pead for 5 months now to try and help and he has suggested we medicate with this but i am not sure.

bonkerz i use it for ds who also had problems settling and it has been a godsend its medication but its only a natural hormone that we all have in our bodies to regulate body clocks they say people with autism lack melatonin hence the not being able to settle to sleep

since ds has settled at a reasonable time his behavior , sensitivities ability to learn has all got so much better
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it doesnt keep them asleep as its not a sedative but settles them quickly and i find this alone has helped ds a lot

in res response to difficulty getting it ds has liquid form and so far been no trouble getting it

just hoping paed will repeat script easily as this has been fab and scared of ds running out as huge improvements whilst been on it and starts school sept and due to run out before then so would hate for him to struggle more than he will already

You need a letter from your consultant.

What used to happen was that all melatonin was unlicensed so your consultant wrote out a script and the chemist gave it to you. Now some melatonin is licensed, but at a lower level than is commonly given for asd. So in order to get the unlicensed stronger stuff a consultant needs to contact the pharmacist to ok the prescription.

ben has 2x2mg tablets no problems but then we always have to have it ordered and only ever risk the same chemist as darent try a different one! it works ok for us though keep having dose increased when it stops helping!

Thanks to all for your help. Now I know what Circadin is.

The melatonin was originaly precribed by the Consultant and GP (grudgingly - but that's another long story) took over repeat prescriptions.

I can just forsee the next hurdle - 'sorry, we have asked your GP if it's OK to dispense Circadin and he says you'll have to go back to the Consultant'. Soooooo predictable!

Never had a problem but I collect at the hospital pharmacy and email consultant when stocks are low. Surely if you've got a prescription they should shut up and get it?