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Melatonin Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab.com
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Summary

  • Does melatonin work? Melatonin supplements can help you fall asleep sooner, although not necessarily for longer, when taken before bedtime (30 to 60 minutes before for regular pills; 20 minutes before for fast-dissolve pills, chewables, and liquids and chewables). Melatonin may also alleviate symptoms of stomach ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and functional dyspepsia (stomach pain not caused by an ulcer) and reduce anxiety associated with medical procedures (see What It Does).
  • How much melatonin to take: Melatonin is a hormone; use it only as needed, not every night. Try the lowest dose that will work for you, starting with about 1 mg or less. If that doesn't work, try 3 mg. Some products contain greater amounts, such as 5 or 10 mg, which may be more than you need and can leave you groggy and have other negative effects. Timed release products may help you not just fall asleep but also stay asleep, but they won't help you stay asleep as well as a prescription sleep medication.

    While nuts, including pistachios, almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, chestnuts and peanuts, contain melatonin, the amount is much lower than doses shown to be effective.

    Taking small to moderate doses of melatonin from supplements does not appear to reduce the body's own production of melatonin, although other factors (such as high-dose vitamin D) may decrease your body's natural levels of melatonin (see ConsumerTips™: What to Consider When Using).
  • What did CL's tests of melatonin supplements show? In laboratory testing, one melatonin supplement was Not Approved, as it contained nearly twice its listed amount of melatonin. Our cost comparisons showed you could spend as little as 1 cent to over $5 per milligram of melatonin — and the product that failed was among the more expensive products (see What CL Found).
  • Best melatonin supplement? Among 22 CL Approved products, CL selected Top Picks for low, moderate, high-dose and timed release melatonin, as well as a product for pets. These products represent superior quality and value.
  • Melatonin safety and side effects: Melatonin supplements, taken doses up to 3 mg per day, short-term, appear to be generally safe for adults. Drowsiness may occur, often for about six hours after taking melatonin (although it may last longer if controlled-release, higher dose products are used). Impaired mental alertness and balance, headache, dizziness, and nausea may also occur. Higher doses of melatonin may affect blood pressure, aggressiveness, blood clotting, seizure activity, and, at very high doses, ovulation, depression, and schizophrenia. Rarely, heart palpitations or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) have been reported. Melatonin can interact with certain foods and increase the effectiveness of certain medications (such as sedative or sleep medication) or decrease the effectiveness of others (such as blood pressure medications). Certain drugs (and even caffeine) may increase the amount of melatonin you absorb from supplements. Long-term use is associated with an increased risk of bone fracture and slower healing after a fracture occurs. It is best to use melatonin "as needed" rather than on a regular basis (see Concerns and Cautions).

Make sure you're choosing the best melatonin supplements approved in our tests!

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Melatonin supplement brands compared in this review

View Larger Image 7040_large_Carlson-Melatonin-2020.png

Carlson Melatonin Gummies 2.5 mg - Natural Strawberry Flavor

View Larger Image CVSHealth-Melatonin-Small-2017.jpg

CVS Health Melatonin 5 mg

View Larger Image 7041_large_GNC-3mg-Melatonin-2020.png

GNC Melatonin 3 mg

View Larger Image 7042_large_GNC-5mg-Melatonin-2020.png

GNC Melatonin 5 mg

View Larger Image Herbatonin-Melatonin-Small-2017.jpg

Herbatonin

View Larger Image 7032_large_K9Choice-Melatonin-2020.png

K9 Choice Melatonin - Peanut Butter Flavored Tabs

View Larger Image LifeExtension-3mg-Melatonin-Small-2017.jpg

Life Extension Melatonin 3 mg

View Larger Image 7044_large_MacAndMaya_Melatonin_2020.png

Mac + Maya Calming Aid With Melatonin

View Larger Image 7046_large_Natrol-Melatonin-2020.png

Natrol Melatonin 5 mg

View Larger Image 7045_large_NatureMade-Melatonin-2020.png

Nature Made Melatonin Gummies 2.5 mg - Dreamy Strawberry

View Larger Image 7037_large_NaturesBounty-Melatonin-2020.png

Nature's Bounty Melatonin 10 mg

View Larger Image NOW-Melatonin-Small-2017.jpg

NOW Liquid Melatonin

View Larger Image 7039_large_PuritansPride_2.5mg_Melatonin_2020.png

Puritan's Pride Melatonin 2.5 mg - Natural Strawberry Flavor

View Larger Image 7036_large_PuritansPride-Melatonin-2020.png

Puritan's Pride Melatonin Liquid - Natural Black Cherry Flavor

View Larger Image 7030_large_REMfresh-Melatonin-2020.png

REMfresh Advanced Ion-Powered Melatonin

View Larger Image 7043_large_Solgar-Melatonin-2020.png

Solgar Melatonin 3 mg

View Larger Image 7035_large_SourceNaturals-Melatonin-2020.png

Source Naturals Melatonin

View Larger Image 7034_large_SpringValley-Melatonin-2020.png

Spring Valley Melatonin 5 mg - Artificial Strawberry Flavor

View Larger Image 7029_large_Sundown_Melatonin_2020.png

Sundown Melatonin 300 mcg

View Larger Image Swanson-Melatonin-Small-2017.jpg

Swanson Melatonin

View Larger Image 7033_large_TraderJoes-Melatonin-2020.png

Trader Joe's Chewable Melatonin 3 mg - Peppermint Flavor

View Larger Image 7038_large_USANA-Melatonin-2020.png

USANA Pure Rest

View Larger Image 7031_large_Zarbees-Melatonin-2020.png

Zarbee's Naturals Children's Sleep With Melatonin - Natural Berry Flavor

You must be a member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com's recommendations and quality ratings. You will get results for 13 melatonin supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com and 10 others that passed testing in its voluntary Quality Certification Program. In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:
  • Which melatonin supplements passed or failed testing, and which are ConsumerLab.com's Top Picks
  • How melatonin supplements compare on quality, ingredients, and cost
  • How you can potentially save hundreds of dollars per year on a supplement while getting the same amount of melatonin
  • What melatonin can and cannot do for your health
  • The differences between regular and timed release melatonin supplements
  • How natural, synthetic, and plant-based melatonin differ
  • Melatonin dosage for different sleep issues and conditions
  • Concerns, drug interactions, and potential side-effects of melatonin

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Additional Information
Tested through CL's Quality Certification Program prior to, or after initial posting of this Product Review.