From the Guidelines
Stopping 9 mg of melatonin suddenly is generally safe, but it is recommended to taper down gradually to minimize potential sleep disturbances. According to the clinical guideline for the evaluation and management of chronic insomnia in adults 1, rebound insomnia and withdrawal can be minimized by gradually tapering both the dose and frequency of administration.
When considering stopping melatonin, it's essential to note that long-term use of non-prescription treatments is not recommended due to limited efficacy and safety data 1. However, melatonin has been tested in a large number of clinical trials, and meta-analyses have demonstrated that it has small effects on sleep latency, with little effect on wake after sleep onset (WASO) or total sleep time (TST) 1.
To minimize sleep disruption, consider the following steps:
- Taper down gradually over a week or two by reducing your dose by 1-3 mg every few days
- Lower the dose by the smallest increment possible in successive steps of at least several days’ duration
- Tapering the frequency of administration, such as every other or every third night, has also been shown to minimize rebound effects 1
- Successful tapering may require several weeks to months, and concurrent application of cognitive-behavioral therapies can facilitate tapering and discontinuation of hypnotic medication 1.
It's also important to practice good sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding screens before bedtime, and creating a comfortable sleep environment, to help regulate your sleep-wake cycles after discontinuing melatonin.
From the Research
Stopping Melatonin Suddenly
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest that stopping 9 mg of melatonin suddenly will cause issues 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is worth noting that the studies provided do not specifically address the topic of stopping melatonin suddenly, but rather focus on its efficacy and safety in treating sleep disorders.
- One study found that prolonged-release melatonin had no withdrawal effects when discontinued 3.
- Another study found that exogenous melatonin had no obvious short- or long-term adverse effects 2.
- It is also important to note that melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body, and supplementing with it may not lead to dependence or addiction 2, 3.
Melatonin and Sleep Disorders
- Melatonin has been shown to be effective in improving sleep quality and reducing sleep onset latency in patients with primary insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and other sleep disorders 3, 4, 5.
- The evidence suggests that melatonin is a safe and effective treatment for sleep disorders, with minimal side effects and no evidence of rebound insomnia or withdrawal effects when discontinued 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Dosage and Duration
- The studies provided do not specifically address the dosage of 9 mg of melatonin, but rather focus on the efficacy and safety of melatonin in general 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- One study found that prolonged-release melatonin 2 mg was effective in improving sleep quality and morning alertness in patients with primary insomnia 3.
- Another study found that exogenous melatonin had a significant effect on sleep quality as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 5.