Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Melatonin as a medication and supplement" in English language version.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of May 2025 (link)Individual sensitivity to melatonin varies and the pharmacokinetics are very different from one individual to another. The lower dose of 0.3–0.5 mg may be more effective than higher doses in many subjects [113, 176]. [...] The peak concentrations of melatonin in plasma normally occur between 02.00 and 04.00 h. The onset of secretion is usually around 21.00 to 22.00 h and the offset at 07.00 to 09.00 h in adults in temperate zones [12]. [...] Several studies have demonstrated a progressive decline in the amplitude of melatonin rhythm in the elderly, especially in subjects over 70 years of age [38, 130, 202, 218, 293, 330, 345, 366].
Using radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods, mean melatonin production in healthy adults has been estimated at 28.8 μg/day [113], and at 39.2 and 14.8 μg/night, respectively, in a group of young healthy men and in women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle [70]. Similarly, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques have shown slightly lower daily plasma concentrations in women (21.6 μg) than in men (35.7 μg), with constant rates of secretion at night (μg/h: 4.6 in males, 2.8 in females) and no differences related to age [66]. While very stable within individuals [137], the timing, duration and amount of nocturnal melatonin production, show pronounced individual differences, such that very low concentrations may be observed even in healthy, young individuals (low secretors) [9,21].
Interestingly, the amount of melatonin produced varies enormously in normal healthy individuals. For example, a study of melatonin levels at 03:00 hours in 129 healthy subjects gave a range from 18.5 to 180 pg/mL.4 Similarly, a study of melatonin production in 75 healthy adults using 24 hours 6‐sulphatoxymelatonin excretion (a validated measure of total melatonin production 5) reported a range of 7.5‐58.1 μg per day.6 A study of peak saliva melatonin levels in 170 healthy subjects reported a range of 2.4‐83.6 pg/mL.7
In younger adults, it is amply proven that low exogenous doses of melatonin, even above 0.3 mg, produce supra-physiological levels [16,20–22,26–30,35] as well as in older adults [33].
There is very little evidence in the short term for toxicity or undesirable effects in humans. The extensive promotion of the miraculous powers of melatonin in the recent past did a disservice to acceptance of its genuine benefits.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of May 2025 (link)Evidence for benzodiazepine hypnotics, melatonin agonists in the general adult population, and most pharmacologic interventions in older adults was generally insufficient
Individual sensitivity to melatonin varies and the pharmacokinetics are very different from one individual to another. The lower dose of 0.3–0.5 mg may be more effective than higher doses in many subjects [113, 176]. [...] The peak concentrations of melatonin in plasma normally occur between 02.00 and 04.00 h. The onset of secretion is usually around 21.00 to 22.00 h and the offset at 07.00 to 09.00 h in adults in temperate zones [12]. [...] Several studies have demonstrated a progressive decline in the amplitude of melatonin rhythm in the elderly, especially in subjects over 70 years of age [38, 130, 202, 218, 293, 330, 345, 366].
Using radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods, mean melatonin production in healthy adults has been estimated at 28.8 μg/day [113], and at 39.2 and 14.8 μg/night, respectively, in a group of young healthy men and in women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle [70]. Similarly, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques have shown slightly lower daily plasma concentrations in women (21.6 μg) than in men (35.7 μg), with constant rates of secretion at night (μg/h: 4.6 in males, 2.8 in females) and no differences related to age [66]. While very stable within individuals [137], the timing, duration and amount of nocturnal melatonin production, show pronounced individual differences, such that very low concentrations may be observed even in healthy, young individuals (low secretors) [9,21].
Interestingly, the amount of melatonin produced varies enormously in normal healthy individuals. For example, a study of melatonin levels at 03:00 hours in 129 healthy subjects gave a range from 18.5 to 180 pg/mL.4 Similarly, a study of melatonin production in 75 healthy adults using 24 hours 6‐sulphatoxymelatonin excretion (a validated measure of total melatonin production 5) reported a range of 7.5‐58.1 μg per day.6 A study of peak saliva melatonin levels in 170 healthy subjects reported a range of 2.4‐83.6 pg/mL.7
In younger adults, it is amply proven that low exogenous doses of melatonin, even above 0.3 mg, produce supra-physiological levels [16,20–22,26–30,35] as well as in older adults [33].
There is very little evidence in the short term for toxicity or undesirable effects in humans. The extensive promotion of the miraculous powers of melatonin in the recent past did a disservice to acceptance of its genuine benefits.
There is very little evidence in the short term for toxicity or undesirable effects in humans. The extensive promotion of the miraculous powers of melatonin in the recent past did a disservice to acceptance of its genuine benefits.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of May 2025 (link)Monotherapy for the short term treatment of primary insomnia characterised by poor quality of sleep in patients who are aged 55 or over.