Question: Hi,
We are testing Melatonin out for our three year old son who has Sensory Processing Disorder. We are due for a long haul flight in 9 weeks and wanted something in worst case scenario (only) to help him sleep/settle on the flight. It is very likely he will go into overload during this travel, which is a relocation to home overseas so a necessary one, and are gearing up with every thinkable distraction, SPD related accessories like sound canceling headphones, sensory toys and activities etc and are only going to use this if it is absolutely necessary for his well being. My question though is that his ordination was 3mg/ml, 1ml before bed. I didn't want to give him this full 3 mg the first night so he had 1.5mg. Tonight I only gave him 0.9mg and he both nights experienced itchy, sore nose and mouth. Tonight he also mentioned his ears. He fell asleep in 20min which is very rare but I'm worried about the itchiness and what he says soreness? I was thinking to go down to 0.6mg tomorrow to see if it still works (as I don't want to give more than necessary) but I need to know if my worries are justified or if its just the nurse in me looking for symtoms/reactions? I have read lots by about it and are not so sure about this anymore as there are so many conflicting reports and he is only three. Is it safe to give him this as a flight remedy to help him if needed or what should we do? I don't want him on Phenergan as I don't think that is a good solution at all either. He is sensitive to medications and gets hyperactive of Nurofen. Thanks for your advice!

Thank you. I have tried to submit a follow up question but it won't show so last try. Shortly, of course I agree, its rational starting with a low dose and increasing rather than the opposite. Exactly the question I asked the pharmacist who told me not to, but to give him 3mg as ordered as it was a common dosage. I didn't as I went with my gut feeling and tried a half dosage first 0f 1.5mg. With the sensations he experienced I dropped the second dosage to 0.9mg as I felt uncomfortable seeing this. Still he had the itching nose and eyes, soreness in nose, eyes, ears and throat that started 10-15 min directly after in response to Melatonin given. Hence my question here before doing anything else. It make more sense with the dosage ranges you have mentioned and I will go by that if I decide to use Melatonin at all again.

So last questions, the sensations of mouth, eyes, ears and nose; Is this a common sensation from taking Melatonin? What do they stand for? Overdosing? If anything.

He also has had an EEG a year ago that showed "Abnormal EEG. Infrequent sharp waves, particularly in the right posterior quadrant are noted. These are not particularly aggressive." He has had no epileptic seizures, was diagnosed with infantile shudders which now has been associated to his Sensory processing disorder instead (shivers due to sensory overload of any kind). Is he at risk for developing seizures from taking Melatonin due to the answer from EEG? (I saw that epilepsy is a contraindication). He has had no absences and no epileptic seizure history but could the EEG mean a lowered threshold for it? He has had two spontaneous shudders today which he don't normally have and are very tired after a very restless sleep this night on the 0.9mg. I won't be giving him Melatonin at all for now.

He also has Vitiligo, contraindicated as well or not? (autoimmune).

Im not fully comfortable giving him this now as I have had time to read up more about it. Any suggestions on alternatives as a rescue remedy for sour long haul flight, that are natural and kind to a little beautiful boy, is very much appreciated as well. We will be in contact with his pediatrician to discuss further as well. Ending this query by submitting these last questions. Thank you. Kind regards.Adding that the mixture I was given was 3mg/ml. Half dose of that is 1.5mg/0.5ml. The lowest dose with this mixture is therefor 0.3mg/0.1ml. The lowest dose next to the 1.5mg (0.5ml) was 0.9mg (0.3ml) that I were able to dispense with this mixture (3/10 of the original ordination). Im glad I didn't give the 3mg/ml. Ill have to ask for another prescription of 1mg/ml if we decide to give it another go sometime ahead so we can start with 0.1mg as you suggested. Just a note on the administration.