Doctors do not get kickbacks. those days ended in the begining of 2000. Also, doctors would not get a kickback for prescribing melatonin as it is not a perscription anyway. Every alzheimer's person is different and what works for one may not work for another. If your loved one (parent or spouse) has bad sundowning, ie doctor jekel and Mr Hyde, a tiny bit of ativan may prevent them from physically lashing out and not cooperating with their caregiver. Certainly if it snows them and they are so very tired from it, not the right med. BUT, I would not worry about becoming addicted to a medicine if someone is in a high stage of alzheimer's (stages 1-7) and the "edge" is taken off them with a tiny benzodiazapam. Pharmacists are wonderful knowing interactions from books but the doctor or other competant medical provider may know the patient better from being in person with them and seeing first hand that a patient needs this medicine.
Discuss with primary MD. Melatonin affects different people in different ways, whether a person has Alzheimer's or not.
As afflicted person cannot verbally (or perhaps otherwise) communicate how they feel, from my point of view, it is imperative that you discuss with a physician. Gena / Touch Matters
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.
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.
I cannot really answer this question for an Alzheimer's or demented victim. Have you consulted concerns with the pharmacist? Should also discuss with health care providers. I have read from our forum that doctors may be unaware of melatonin's dosage and effects since it it is a supplement OTC. Dosage per night should be up to 5 mgs only.
After menopause, the body loses its natural melatonin production. When I experienced difficulty staying asleep about 20 years ago at age 47, my gynecologist recommended using 5 mg per night of Melatonin. A relative also told me about using this supplement. When I looked at a bottle at a pharmacy prior to purchase, it said to stop use after about two consecutive months with one week break to avoid possible negative effects. This method was not helping me enough during high job stressers, so my primary care doctor from my employer's coverage prescribed 50mg. of Trazadone for only sleep with anxiety. One year ago, my current doctor increased the Trazadone prescription dosage to 100 mg, but I take only 50 to 75 mgs per night and supplement with just 1 to 3 mgs melatonin to rest better, except during great stress. I don't usually use melatonin during those difficult nights and never do two months straight. Also, its meant for occasional use during travel for jet lag.
cjljml: Firstly, I am not a medical professional. However, that is far too much of an over-the-counter medication. Perhaps melatonin should not be given to a patient with Alzheimer's AT ALL, let alone a dose when not needed in the afternoon and then a double dose at bedtime. That is going to make the individual VERY unsteady on their feet (when toileting and other times when they need to rise up out of a reclined position).
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
Melatonin is naturally produced in the brain, its production declines with age, as does it's clearance, which can result in a buildup. It's part of what controls our circadian rhythm. The lack of complete darkness during the hours of sleep causes a decrease in it's production and replacing it is wise because it's very neuro-protective and aids in healthy brain function.
With ALZ? I guess I would back off on the dose (which is really quite low, doses of 200 mg daily are used therapeutically), back off to very small doses, and do a diary of the person's response. Maybe try a low dose, esp in the afternoon and allow for an adjustment period for each mg or half mg increase.
Another consideration is that melatonin is a chelator, a compound that when depleted and then replaced, causes toxins to be bumped off of sites they're bound to and will cause a release of circulating toxins that can, over time, cause agitation and other odd responses. The world of toxin binders is a whole thing to research but there's a very good summary of their use (order them from A'zon) on Allison Vickery .com, called 'All About Binders and How to Use Them'. URL: https://www.alisonvickery.com/blog/all-about-binders-and-how-to-use-them/
Kudos for using a natural calming agent with careful consideration, just do a bit more research to prevent any toxic overload from occurring. I'm a Lyme survivor, was bedridden for 2 yrs with it and learned a lot that I implemented for my recovery. Ridding my body of it's toxic burden with detox strategies was a huge part of regaining my health and vitality. My family and I use melatonin daily.
Melatonin is a hormone when I have taken it I start to grow a moustache and get groggy from it - I find the CBD oil to be milder - there is a good tea by Clevr Blends for sleep 💤 that has mushrooms 🍄 valerian root , Passion flower 🌸 called Sleepytime - no side effects - they are in Santa Barbara. Melatonin makes me sick and groggy and a heavy feeling . The Happy Hemp Buddha CBD oil has a calming effect if given after lunch if there are anxieties. I will eat the gummies for myself - try taking that much melatonin and see what happens to you . The FIVE CBD gummies are good for sleep 💤 1 is all you need they are in Laguna beach
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.
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.
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?
Melatonin affects different people in different ways, whether a person has Alzheimer's or not.
As afflicted person cannot verbally (or perhaps otherwise) communicate how they feel, from my point of view, it is imperative that you discuss with a physician. Gena / Touch Matters
After menopause, the body loses its natural melatonin production. When I experienced difficulty staying asleep about 20 years ago at age 47, my gynecologist recommended using 5 mg per night of Melatonin. A relative also told me about using this supplement. When I looked at a bottle at a pharmacy prior to purchase, it said to stop use after about two consecutive months with one week break to avoid possible negative effects. This method was not helping me enough during high job stressers, so my primary care doctor from my employer's coverage prescribed 50mg. of Trazadone for only sleep with anxiety. One year ago, my current doctor increased the Trazadone prescription dosage to 100 mg, but I take only 50 to 75 mgs per night and supplement with just 1 to 3 mgs melatonin to rest better, except during great stress. I don't usually use melatonin during those difficult nights and never do two months straight. Also, its meant for occasional use during travel for jet lag.
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
With ALZ? I guess I would back off on the dose (which is really quite low, doses of 200 mg daily are used therapeutically), back off to very small doses, and do a diary of the person's response. Maybe try a low dose, esp in the afternoon and allow for an adjustment period for each mg or half mg increase.
Another consideration is that melatonin is a chelator, a compound that when depleted and then replaced, causes toxins to be bumped off of sites they're bound to and will cause a release of circulating toxins that can, over time, cause agitation and other odd responses. The world of toxin binders is a whole thing to research but there's a very good summary of their use (order them from A'zon) on Allison Vickery .com, called 'All About Binders and How to Use Them'. URL: https://www.alisonvickery.com/blog/all-about-binders-and-how-to-use-them/
Kudos for using a natural calming agent with careful consideration, just do a bit more research to prevent any toxic overload from occurring. I'm a Lyme survivor, was bedridden for 2 yrs with it and learned a lot that I implemented for my recovery. Ridding my body of it's toxic burden with detox strategies was a huge part of regaining my health and vitality. My family and I use melatonin daily.
However your Dr should be able to give a valid answer.
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.
I too would wonder why its being given in the afternoon.
9 mg is a lot, has a doctor prescribed this for sundowning?
Why are they getting melatonin in the afternoon, as it should only be given when one goes to bed for the night?