Melatonin

Circadin is a branded version of Melatonin: a medication containing the active ingredient of the same name. Melatonin is a hormone that makes us tired and helps us sleep. People primarily take melatonin for sleeplessness (insomnia).

Even though melatonin occurs naturally in the body, some people don’t produce enough and need to take melatonin supplements like Circadin to sleep well.

Circadin was approved for use in European markets in June 2007 and is primarily prescribed for insomnia. Melatonin tablets can also be prescribed at a higher dose - 3mg - for jet lag. However, euroClinix currently only offers 2mg tablets of Circadin for insomnia.

The active ingredient in Circadin: melatonin, is produced naturally by the pineal gland when your brain detects darkness. This is why we feel more tired at night after the sun goes down.

People with insomnia often have trouble producing enough of the sleep hormone melatonin. Circadin tablets release melatonin into the bloodstream, helping you drift off more easily and enjoy a good night’s rest.

Circadin melatonin tablets are prolonged-release (PR), which are designed to mimic the body’s natural secretion of hormones. This makes going to sleep feel like a gradual and natural process.

There are many benefits of taking Circadin for your sleep problems:

• Makes falling asleep easier
• Improves sleep quality (uninterrupted and longer-lasting sleep)
• Regulates sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm)
• Generally non-addictive
• Mimics the body’s natural sleep process

Benefits of Circadin

Improves sleep quality

Regulates circadian rhythm

Mimics natural sleep processes

Non-addictive

Helps you fall asleep

Clinical trials have found Circadin to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for insomnia.

In one trial, two groups of patients with insomnia were given either Circadin or a placebo every evening for 3 weeks. The effectiveness of Circadin was tested using two metrics:

1. Sleep latency (how long it took to fall asleep)
2. Sleep maintenance (how much sleep was interrupted)

Here is what they found for each one.

Sleep latency

On average, those taking Circadin fell asleep 19.1 minutes faster than they did before treatment. This number is much higher than the placebo group, who fell asleep only 1.7 minutes faster than before on average.

Sleep maintenance

By the end of the trial, the Circadin group woke up 0.24 times less on average during the night. This is a significant improvement compared to the placebo group, who woke up 0.09 times less.

Overall effectiveness

Overall, Circadin has been shown to improve sleep quality and help people function better the next day.

A review looking at 3 clinical studies found that 32% of patients taking Circadin (86 out of 265) reported a significant improvement in symptoms after 3 weeks. In comparison, only 19% (51 out of 272) of the placebo group reported similar improvements.

Circadin typically takes about 1-2 hours to work, however, the effect is gradual. This is because Circadin is designed to mimic the body’s natural release of melatonin.

You should begin to feel the effects of Circadin within 20 minutes. As more time passes, you will gradually feel more and more tired until you eventually fall asleep.

How long melatonin takes to work may differ between individuals. You may find the medicine taking effect sooner or later depending on how fast your body breaks it down.

How do I take it?

Follow these instructions when taking Circadin for insomnia:

• Take one tablet daily
• Take it with food
• Swallow the tablet whole - do not crush or split the tablet
• You can take Circadin regularly for up to 13 weeks
• Talk to your doctor if your sleep issues haven’t improved or you feel worse after 21 days

When do I take it

Since Circadin usually takes 1-2 hours to work, you should take your tablet 1-2 hours before you want to sleep.

This is the most common speed at which Circadin takes effect. However, this may differ between individuals, and it may take some trial and error before you figure out a schedule that works for you.

How long should I take it for?

Circadin is a short-term treatment of insomnia, not a long-term cure. This means it should be taken on any night you feel you need it, and it will stop working once you stop taking it.

Circadin is usually prescribed for 1-4 weeks but can be prescribed up to a maximum of 13 weeks. After this point, you must halt treatment.

After 13 weeks of use, one of our doctors will reassess your condition to determine the safety of further treatment. The use of Circadin after 13 weeks has not been fully established, and the medicine should be used as a short-term treatment.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

Melatonin doesn’t cause withdrawal or dependance, so you can stop taking it immediately without lowering your dosage.

euroClinix only prescribes Cricadin in 2mg tablets. This will only be prescribed for those who have completed an online consultation for insomnia.

Some online providers may offer Circadin for jet lag, but you are more likely to be prescribed an alternative brand that offers 3mg tablets instead.

The normal melatonin dosage for adults is 2mg per day. How much melatonin you should take can differ from person to person. Always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking Circadin.

Who can take it?

Circadin is commonly prescribed to those who

• Are over the age of 55*
• Suffer from insomnia

*While only officially licensed for those over 55, Circadin may be prescribed off-label to those from the ages of 18-54 as well.

Who cannot take it?

Some people should take caution before taking Circadin. Consult your doctor if you have:

• Kidney or liver problems
• An autoimmune disease
• A seizure disorder (epilepsy)
• High blood pressure
• An intolerance to some sugars
• A bleeding disorder
• Depression
• Just had an organ transplant

Melatonin is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Consult your doctor if you are unsure about whether you can take this medication.

As with all prescription medication, Circadin may produce side effects. Some of Circadin’s side effects are more serious than others. You can find the most notable ones below.

Serious side effects

The following side effects are rare, but may be serious. If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking your medicine and contact your doctor:

Non-serious side effects

The following side effects are rarely a cause for concern. If you experience any of the following, consult your doctor for medical advice:

To effectively manage side effects of Circadin, always take your medicine as prescribed and avoid large quantities of alcohol. If any side effects persist, consult your doctor for guidance

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

This is not an exhaustive list. For a full list of side effects, consult the patient information leaflet sent with your order.

Melatonin side effects and how to manage them

Some medications can change the way Circadin works and may be unsuitable to take at the same time. Consult your doctor if you take any of the following medicines.

Medicines that can make you more drowsy

• Anxiety medications and sleep aids (e.g. diazepam)
• Strong painkillers (e.g. morphine or codeine)
• Allergy medications and antihistamines (e.g. diphenhydramine)
• Antipsychotics (e.g. quetiapine or olanzapine)

Medicines that may reduce the effectiveness of Circadin

• Epilepsy medications (e.g. carbamazepine or phenytoin)
• Steroids (e.g. prednisone or hydrocortisone)

Medicines that may increase melatonin levels

• Some antidepressants (e.g. fluvoxamine)
• Some antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin)
• Hormonal contraceptives (e.g. “the pill”)

Medicines that lower blood pressure

• Blood pressure medications (e.g. propranolol and lisinopril)
• Heart medications (e.g. nitroglycerin)

Since blood pressure medications and Circadin both lower blood pressure, taking them together may lower blood pressure to unsafe levels.

For a full list of interactions, consult the patient information leaflet sent with your order.

Make sure you tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, even those not mentioned here.

When taking Circadin, there are some things you can do to increase its effectiveness and improve your sleep.

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule - Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
• Limit screen time before bed - Bright screens from phones or TV can interfere with melatonin production.
• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol - Caffeine and alcohol can disrupt your sleep schedule and make for lighter and more irregular sleep.
• Cut out naptime - Napping during the day can make it harder to sleep come nighttime. If you need a nap, make sure it lasts for no longer than 30 minutes.
• Get enough sunshine during the day - Natural sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm, as it allows it to synchronise with the day-night cycle.

Storage instructions

Follow these instructions to store Circadin:

• Do not store above 25°C
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date
• Store in the original packaging and protect from light

Disposal instructions

Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste. Take your unused medicine to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.

These measures will help to protect the environment.

No, Circadin can only be obtained with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

Prescriptions are necessary because they:

• Ensure appropriate use for your specific condition.
• Prevent potential misuse and associated health risks.
• Allow for monitoring of side effects and interactions with other medications.

While you can’t buy melatonin over the counter in the UK, some online providers offer herbal preparations which may help with sleep problems. However, these are not regulated and clinical efficacy hasn't been proven.

These are not marketed as pharmaceuticals, but rather “dietary supplements”.

Ordering melatonin tablets with euroClinix is simple and secure. Follow these steps:

1. Start a confidential online questionnaire from the top of this page. It will take about 5-10 minutes to complete.
2. A UK-registered doctor will review your consultation.
3. If approved, the doctor will issue an electronic prescription.
4. A licensed UK pharmacy will send your medication in discreet packaging. The pharmacy will also share tracking information. You get free next-day delivery.

euroClinix offers ongoing support for any questions. Privacy and security are guaranteed through compliance with the relevant regulatory standards and the use of encrypted transactions.

euroClinix is a trusted online clinic that offers services in several European countries. All consultations and prescriptions are handled by our UK-registered doctors.

The process is convenient with online consultations and discreet home delivery. Our friendly customer service team is always happy to assist with any questions related to our services.

The euroClinix platform is user-friendly for managing prescriptions and reorders securely.

There isn’t much that separates different brands of melatonin tablets, so most treatment options will likely have a similar effect to Circadin.

However, differences in dosage, price, and intended use can mean one option is more suitable for you than another. Here is a helpful table listing some alternatives to Circadin.