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What Causes Tiredness In The Morning After Taking 5 Mg Of Melatonin?

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Posted on Sat, 28 Mar 2015
Question: I take 5mgs of melatonin to sleep at night, which works and i sit under a bright light in the am for 20 minutes as recommended by my psychologist as part of my depression treatment, but I still feel tired in the am , which generally improves during the day. should I try to take lesser dosage of melatonin at night lessen morning tiredness.
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Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Dose reduction can be tried.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Daytime drowsiness is a common effect of melatonin which seems to be your case.

Doses of melatonin are variable, they can go from 0.2 to 20mg a day. Naturally it is advisable to get the lowest possible dose which is efficacious. The right dose varies for each individual but the most common dose for insomnia is 3-5 mg.

So since you refer the above mentioned side effect I think you can try to reduce the dose to 3 mg a day and evaluate whether you'll be having the same beneficial effect with less daytime drowsiness. According to the noted results you can afterwards stay at that dose, further decrease it if still having side effects or return to 5mg in case insomnia worsens by the reduction.

I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Causes Tiredness In The Morning After Taking 5 Mg Of Melatonin?

Brief Answer: Dose reduction can be tried. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Daytime drowsiness is a common effect of melatonin which seems to be your case. Doses of melatonin are variable, they can go from 0.2 to 20mg a day. Naturally it is advisable to get the lowest possible dose which is efficacious. The right dose varies for each individual but the most common dose for insomnia is 3-5 mg. So since you refer the above mentioned side effect I think you can try to reduce the dose to 3 mg a day and evaluate whether you'll be having the same beneficial effect with less daytime drowsiness. According to the noted results you can afterwards stay at that dose, further decrease it if still having side effects or return to 5mg in case insomnia worsens by the reduction. I remain at your disposal for further questions.