From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Rapid breakdown of melatonin can significantly disrupt sleep quality and overall restfulness, and using extended-release melatonin supplements (typically 1-3mg) taken 1-2 hours before bedtime may help maintain more consistent blood levels throughout the night. When melatonin, your body's natural sleep hormone, breaks down too quickly in your system, you may experience difficulty staying asleep throughout the night, leading to fragmented sleep patterns and reduced deep sleep phases. This premature breakdown often causes middle-of-the-night awakenings and difficulty returning to sleep, resulting in daytime fatigue, reduced cognitive function, and mood disturbances.
Key Points to Consider
- The rapid breakdown of melatonin occurs because it has a relatively short half-life of only 40-60 minutes in the bloodstream, making it difficult for the body to maintain sufficient levels for a full night's sleep without proper support from consistent sleep schedules and appropriate darkness during sleep hours 1.
- Certain medications, caffeine, alcohol, and genetic factors can accelerate melatonin metabolism, so limiting these substances in the evening is advisable.
- Melatonin has been shown to synchronize the circadian rhythms, and improve the onset, duration and quality of sleep, and it is centrally involved in anti-oxidation, circadian rhythmicity maintenance, sleep regulation and neuronal survival 2.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that melatonin had a significant effect on sleep quality as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in adults with various diseases, including respiratory diseases, metabolic disorders, and primary sleep disorders 1.
Recommendations for Clinical Practice
- For patients experiencing rapid melatonin breakdown, consider recommending extended-release melatonin supplements (typically 1-3mg) taken 1-2 hours before bedtime to help maintain consistent blood levels throughout the night.
- Advise patients to limit substances that can accelerate melatonin metabolism, such as certain medications, caffeine, and alcohol, in the evening.
- Emphasize the importance of consistent sleep schedules and appropriate darkness during sleep hours to support melatonin production and maintenance.