Melatonin

[claw3]

does it come in medicine form?

Asked Dr for medicine, as i wont be able to get ds to swallow a tablet. Prescription arrived today, with a note saying it only comes in tablet form.

Its 3mg dose, does that sound about right for a 6 year old?

My ds (3.10yrs) is on the fast and slow release, he is on 3mg fast release and 2.5mg slow.

His are in a capsule form, but i break and mix the powders in a spoon of yogurt.

Hth

My dd age 10 has liquid Melatonin (3g). I might be wrong but if it's slow release your ds has I think it only comes in tablet/capsule. If not slow release ask again for liquid

dd has the liquid. she is 15 and was on 3ml until a few weeks ago, they can have up to 9ml. so it is a case of seeing what works imo

Not sure if it is slow release or not. I have the prescription here in front of me and it just says Melatonin 3mg tablets - to be taken 30 - 60 minutes before bedtime.

I will go to chemist tomorrow, should it say slow release on the box?

If it is in capsule form and it is slow release, will breaking it stop it from being slow release? (if so, he might as well be taking non slow release medicine iyswim)

2shoes, Dr did say ds can start on 3mg and see how it goes. Just wanted to check, i dont have much faith in NHS im afraid. They have made so many mistakes in the past, im always suspicious!

I knew lots on here would have used it already.

don't blame you, I always double check with my brilliant chemist.

Claw3...If it is slow release you will know straight away as instead of being fine powder it is in little balls inside the capsule.

It doesn't affect it if you break it open, as long as the child doesn't crunch the "balls"...they must swallow as they are.

If it is not slow-release, you can ask them to prescribe it in liquid form. Generally the brand is 'Kidnaps', but there are others.

Oh right thanks Pucca, i will go to chemist and give capsules a go. I dont know how i will get him to swallow them even broken, he doesnt eat sloppy food, perhaps in a small drink?

Claw3...Not sure about a drink, something thick might be ok though like milkshake for example, the prob is, is if it would desolve.

I think as long as he swallows it quickly it should be ok, but check with someone at the chemist.

Claw3 was it prescribed to get him off to sleep or to help with sleeping through?

Melatonin only helps with getting to sleep but doesn't help to keep them asleep through the night. The slow release is used to help them sleep through

Ok will do, thanks Pucca.

Yanny, both, he has trouble going to sleep and staying asleep. Although i would say the going to sleep is the bigger problem, some nights not until 3am. The later he goes to sleep, the more likely he is to stay asleep.

ASD team prescribed it at dx meeting, after CAMHS asked them to. I dont think a lot of thought went into it.

yes it does, and it's called Kidnaps (horrible name but tastes nice!)

It's expensive, which is why they can be reluctant to prescribe it, but now you know about it and can > 'provide him with the correct information'.

colditz - you think the name is horrible? How interesting. I've never seen it as in 'kidnapping', but always as 'kids get naps' - it gives children the sleep they need.

Thanks Colditz, i will show willing and collect the tablets from the chemist. Ds might surprise me. If not i will write to them with the name of the liquid form. I received the note with the prescription and paed phoned today and i checked with him again about only being in tablet form and he assured me this was correct

I knew the real experts on mn would have the correct info.

i lol at the name as I think of kid naps

Collected the prescription, they are tablets, not even capsules.

I have no idea how i am going to get ds to take them. If he wont swallow them, i will have to go to my GP and ask for Kidnap.

Thanks everyone, you guys know more about Melatonin than the people who prescribe them!

Have posted this before so apologies for repeating, but it might be helpful. My DS takes his in small spoonful of set honey (then he can't see it) washed down with warm milk and honey.

Someone else mentioned drinking from a straw which would help I think as concentration on sucking might distract enough to swallow - maybe?

DS has got used to it as part of evening routine, and the psychiatrist explained to him what is it and what it is for - he always takes these things better from someone other than us

Claw3 did you ask if it is slow release? If they are not slow release you can crush them...

Amper, ds wont eat honey, his diet is incredible limited and only consists of crunchy food ie honey hoops (no milk), crisps and not much else.

The only thing i can thing of is chocolate spread, he eats this in sandwiches, but whether he would eat it without it being in a sandwich i dont know! It will be bedtime, before ive thought of anything!

yanny I assumed as it was a tablet that it couldnt be slow release? (thought slow release, was capsule form with little balls in it) I was thinking of crushing with a spoonful of choc spread.

I'm sure slow release come in tablet form too

What brand is is Claw? Ours is Circadin tablet and it is slow release.

I did a Google and found protocol of several PCTs online showing what is slow release, what liquid etc. Not time to find it for you now, but let me know if you want to, it was quite helpful.

Good luck anyway.

Yanny Oh dear, now im not sure!

I will see if ds will swallow one whole, he might surprise me!

Ah, good luck

Check with chemist, may well be the crushable kind

Just read the box and leaflet and doesnt mention slow release or not

Does say bio-melatonin on the box, but im guessing everyone's box says that and its not a clue to anything

Never mind, will give it a go. When ds was younger he used to swallow the sweets 'skittles' whole and i had to remind him to chew before swallowing, so i might be lucky!