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Tracy Hampton, PhD

JAMA. 2005;293:921.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Melatonin supplements, often taken for difficulty in sleeping, appear to be safe when used over short periods at high doses, according to a report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/evrptpdfs.htm#melatonin). However, safety of the supplements when used over months or years is not clear.

A new report reveals evidence of limited benefits of melatonin supplements for individuals with sleep disorders. (Photo credit: Ted Grudzinski/AMA)

A review of the available data revealed that melatonin supplements may be effective for treating delayed sleep phase syndrome—difficulty in falling asleep and waking up—in individuals with primary sleep disorders such as insomnia. In these individuals, melatonin supplements may decrease sleep latency, which is the time it takes to fall asleep. Yet the supplements do not appear to have an effect on sleep efficiency, the percentage of time a person is asleep after going to bed. Furthermore, melatonin . . . [Full Text of this Article]