Melatonin for children - ADD / ADHD Message Board

pattyj99 · 01-17-2007, 12:43 PM

My 10 year old son has ADD and currently taking concerta. I put him to bed around 9:45 and he doesnt fall asleep until 11:30. He has to get up at 7:30 for school. Its gotten to the point where he looks pale and have bags under his eyes. The doctor suggest melatonin. Has anyone have experience with melatonin for a child? Is there any side effects? I read the bottle and it said not recommended for children under 18.

Thanks.
Patty

Lindamom · 01-18-2007, 06:40 PM

Hi Patty, my son is on concerta. it helps alot when he takes it. He is obeidient, calm and able to focus. Has been on since 1st grade. now in 7th. In the evening, he just can't settle down easily. I sometimes give him Melatonin before bed and it really settles him in about 20 minutes. Falls asleep better. I haven't seen side affects, but I give it only maybe twice per week. I would like to us it more, but I don't want him to think I am giving him meds for everything that affects him.

rainbow_mandi · 01-19-2007, 07:02 AM

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone, it is the chemical that regulates your 'body clock'. It can be given to children, and is used for a variety of sleep disorders associated with ADD, autism, cerebral palsey etc. Like all drugs, it has side effects, however because it is naturally occurring it has less side effects compared to other ADD medications. Of course, everyone is different and the only real way of knowing if it will help is to try it.

cindyk · 01-19-2007, 12:30 PM

My son's doctor suggested it for him. I give him just 1 mg. It is sometimes hard to find at that low dosage. It works great and keeps my son on schedule. He too has a very hard time sleeping because of his ritalin and of course turns into a viscious cycle. I have not noticed any side effects and we have been doing it on/off for about two years. He is 13 now. I have friends who have tried the 1 mg. for their kids and it didn't work. They had to go to the 3 mg. My son is sensitive to meds, so the 1 mg. works great for him. I have no complaints with it.

nickkaylee · 01-20-2007, 09:09 AM

My son was on Melatonin to help him sleep for a long time. 1 mg didn't work so we ended up with the 3 mg. He never had any side effects, but after a length of time it didn't work anymore. SO then they tried having him take Benadryl. That worked for a couple of nights lol. Now he is on Trazadone at bedtime.