Melatonin Side Effects for Elderly People

The older we get, we might find it more difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. In fact, insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders among elderly.

One might consider using melatonin, which is largely considered a safe sleep aid supplement for healthy adults. Though it may be fairly safe for most people, there may be a different risk for older people.

Sleeping less as we age

Getting less sleep as we age can be characterized by shorter durations of sleep, more naps, increasingly disrupted sleep, and taking longer to fall asleep.

This is largely due to the changes in our body. As we get older, we produce less suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which plays a role in regulating our circadian rhythm. Less SCN has been found correlated to disruptions in this rhythm, which affects biological processes like sleep.

These changes might also contribute to why we produce less melatonin as you age as well, another factor that could play a role in decreased sleep.

How much sleep should elderly people get?

People in the senior age group ideally need around 7 to 9 hours of sleep a day. But as we age, it gets harder to get that much.

Getting less sleep as we age can be characterized by shorter durations of sleep, more naps, increasingly disrupted sleep, and taking longer to fall asleep.

Can elderly people use melatonin?

One study notes additional benefits to melatonin being that it is hard to abuse as there are no withdrawal symptoms from using it. This same study suggests melatonin might be considered as a healthier alternative to using sleeping pills.

In addition to melatonin being hard to abuse, even long term, the use of melatonin was found to have some general improvement in sleep quality, supporting its potential benefits in trials concerning elderly people with insomnia.

Because we naturally produce less melatonin as we age, older people might be more sensitive to larger amounts of melatonin supplements. Elderly people who want to use melatonin should speak with their physician before use.

Side effects of taking too much melatonin for elderly people

Because our sensitivity to melatonin changes as we age, your risk for experiencing these side effects may also vary.

Some side effects might include:

Headaches
Nausea
Dizziness or grogginess
Feeling tired in the morning
Elevations or drops in blood pressure
Nightmares

There are some reported fracture risks due to falls with using melatonin, although the same can be said with using sleeping pills. Elderly people should be cautious about when and where they take melatonin supplements.

How much melatonin should I take?

We highly recommend starting at the smallest amount possible before gradually increasing the dosage. The average recommended dose for healthy adults is anywhere between 0.5mg to 10mg.

The dose should be adjusted for children, elderly people, and people who have health conditions that might affect their sensitivity to melatonin.

Because we naturally produce less melatonin as we age, older people might be more sensitive to larger amounts of melatonin supplements. Discuss an appropriate dosage with your physician beforehand.