Melatonin is a hormone your brain naturally produces to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Our research, from 30 RCTs, 11 meta-analyses, and 13,394 participants, confirms it reliably improves insomnia symptoms and sleep quality. It's non-addictive, has low toxicity (1,000mg/day for a month showed no toxicity), and is one of the safest sleep aids available. Key insight: more is NOT better — benefits are not dose-dependent. Start low (300μg) and increase only as needed.
Increases INR/bleeding risk
Monitor INR closely if combining.
Additive sedation
Use caution, especially when driving next day.
Reduces melatonin levels
May need higher dose.
Increases melatonin levels
Use lower dose.
Reduces melatonin levels
Smokers may need higher doses.
Significantly increases melatonin
Reduce melatonin dose significantly.
Reduces drug effectiveness
Monitor BP.
Increases melatonin levels
Avoid caffeine close to bedtime regardless.
Unclear effect on clotting
Monitor if on anticoagulants.
Possible glucose effects
Monitor blood glucose if diabetic.
Additive nighttime BP reduction
Monitor. Usually benign.
Major issue. Canadian study: only 9 of 31 tested supplements were within 10% of labeled melatonin. Content ranged from 83% less to 478% more. 8 supplements contained serotonin (undeclared). This is a serious quality control problem.
Not Prohibited.
Major issue. Canadian study: only 9 of 31 tested supplements were within 10% of labeled melatonin. Content ranged from 83% less to 478% more. 8 supplements contained serotonin (undeclared). This is a serious quality control problem.
Melatonin significantly improved sleep quality, sleep onset latency, and total sleep time across diverse populations.
Fatemeh G et al. Effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. J Neurol (2022). PMID: 34923799
Melatonin improved sleep quality in secondary sleep disorders (medical conditions causing insomnia).
Li T et al. Exogenous melatonin as a treatment for secondary sleep disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Front Neuroendocrinol (2019). PMID: 30215696
71% of tested melatonin supplements did not meet label claims (±10%). Serotonin contamination found in 26%.
Erland LA et al. Melatonin Natural Health Products and Supplements: Presence of Serotonin and Significant Variability of Melatonin Content.. J Clin Sleep Med (2017). PMID: 28460563
Melatonin improves sleep onset latency and total sleep time in primary insomnia.
Auld F et al. Evidence for the efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of primary adult sleep disorders.. Sleep Med Rev (2017). PMID: 31722088
Based on independent third-party laboratory analysis
Category pass rate: ~85% pass rate. Primary issue: massive dose variation (up to 478% between highest/lowest variance products). Gummies tend to have higher variance than pills.
Melatonin reduces time to fall asleep by 12-17 minutes only (not hours); Does NOT improve sleep quality or total sleep time; Lower doses (0.3-1mg) are as effective as higher doses for sleep onset; Higher doses are NOT more effective — they just increase side effects
Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board | Last updated: April 5, 2026
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.
Safety
Moderate interactions. Monitoring, timing separation, or dose adjustment may be required.
Warfarin and other anticoagulants
Melatonin may enhance anticoagulant effect.
Source: Case reports
Immunosuppressants
Melatonin stimulates immune function.
Source: Clinical pharmacology
Diabetes medications
Melatonin may affect glucose metabolism.
Source: Clinical consensus
Sedatives and benzodiazepines
Additive CNS depression.
Source: Clinical consensus
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Fluvoxamine inhibits CYP1A2, dramatically increasing melatonin levels.
Source: Clinical pharmacology
Educational information only. This is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Talk to your prescriber before starting, stopping, or combining any supplement with prescription medication.