Melatonin is not the panacea many people seem to think it is! Melatonin can cause a series of side effects for lots of people. According to Google:
Why should people with dementia not take melatonin? The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, however, recommends against the use of melatonin and sleep-promoting medications for demented elderly patients due to increased risks of falls and other adverse events.
If this patient is using Melatonin to reduce the effects of Sundowning with AD, the cons may be outweighing the pros if they are falling. My mother had good results with low dose Ativan to help her with Sundowning.
Dementia itself affects ones balance and stability. This may just be the next step down in their dementia journey. Why are they getting melatonin in the afternoon, as it should only be given when one goes to bed for the night?
I think I would ask a Pharmacist before a doctor. Really, pharmacists have caught drug interaction problems that doctors do not seem to know anything about. Doctors have these Pharmaceutical reps sell them a pill thats great for sundowning (lets say). If the Dr. precribes it he gets a kickback.
That does seem weird to give melatonin in the afternoon. Is it to make them more "manageable" i.e. sleepy instead of belligerent, wandering etc? Melatonin is amazing stuff, an incredibly powerful antioxidant too, but it is powerful. It is a tryptamine, so it's in the same family as serotonin, psilocybin and DMT. In fact, DMT researchers tested super-high-dose melatonin for psychedelic properties, but found it just made people sleepy. My MIL says it makes her have "looped" dreams, and I've noticed intense dreams and closed-eyes visuals at night with it. I stopped taking it because of residual daytime sleepiness. So it seems reasonable that it could make people dizzy. I guess if it seems to make someone worse every time they use it, then def cut it out.
The best thing is ask your Dr this question. The second best thing is google melatonin and Alzheimer’s and see what comes up. Remember it’s best to look only at reputable sites for this like Alz.org, Mayoclinic, WebMD, dementia.org etc.
However your Dr should be able to give a valid answer.
Yes it can effect balance and stability. If it is being taken to allow the person to fall asleep easier then it can cause balance issues as the person gets sleepy and more relaxed. This is true for anything that might cause one to become drowsy. OTC cold medications, allergy medications even some herbal teas that promote "calm" "sleep" "relaxation" can cause someone to become unstable
Doctor prescribed mom 3mg melatonin to be taken about 30 min before bedtime. It does make mom slightly drowsy, and that is why it is taken just before bedtime The effect in mom's case is she goes to sleep quickly and more importantly she stays asleep til morning. She used to get out of bed multiple times during the night. Since beginning melatonin she does not do this; in fact this was why doctor prescribed melatonin in the first place. The goal was to keep her asleep and thus in bed at night. Once I told him that she had been wandering through the house at night he told me her risk of falling at night was worse than any of the side effects of this medication. This is my experience. I encourage anyone to seek doctor's advice before taking this medication.
Why should people with dementia not take melatonin?
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, however, recommends against the use of melatonin and sleep-promoting medications for demented elderly patients due to increased risks of falls and other adverse events.
If this patient is using Melatonin to reduce the effects of Sundowning with AD, the cons may be outweighing the pros if they are falling. My mother had good results with low dose Ativan to help her with Sundowning.
Best of luck.
Why are they getting melatonin in the afternoon, as it should only be given when one goes to bed for the night?
9 mg is a lot, has a doctor prescribed this for sundowning?
I too would wonder why its being given in the afternoon.
However your Dr should be able to give a valid answer.
If it is being taken to allow the person to fall asleep easier then it can cause balance issues as the person gets sleepy and more relaxed.
This is true for anything that might cause one to become drowsy. OTC cold medications, allergy medications even some herbal teas that promote "calm" "sleep" "relaxation" can cause someone to become unstable
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