CIRCADIN ®
Treatment options
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What to do if you missed your CIRCADIN ® dose
The MHRA's reporting program for suspected side effects to medicines, vaccines, e-cigarettes, medical device incidents, defective or falsified (fake) products to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to ensure safe and effective use.
Learn more about reporting side effectsOther known brand names
Adaflex, Ceyesto, Slenyto, Syncrodin
About Circadin
Circadin contains melatonin as the active ingredient. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in your body, produced by the pineal gland, to help regulate sleep-wake cycles. Your levels of melatonin increase at night, and return to their normal low levels during the day, helping to control sleep patterns (circadian rhythm).
Circadin is commonly prescribed to treat short-term sleep problems in adults over the age of 55 who are suffering with poor quality of sleep. Melatonin may also help with the symptoms of jetlag for those who have travelled across varying time zones.
It is available with a prescription as generic melatonin or under the brand names Circadin, Adaflex, Ceyesto, Slenyto, and Syncrodin. Now Patient offers Circadin for the short-term treatment of primary insomnia, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Circadin
- Circadin comes as a prolonged-release tablet containing 2 mg of melatonin
- Circadin takes 1 to 2 hours to work
- Circadin is normally taken for up to 13 weeks, but you may take it for longer
- Circadin may cause a headache, tiredness, or a feeling of sickness or irritability the day after you take it
- Circadin tablets release melatonin slowly over several hours, mimicking melatonin produced in the body
- Alcohol or smoking can stop Circadin working as well as it should
- It can be dangerous if you take Circadin with herbal remedies, as it can make you very drowsy. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
Who is Circadin suitable for?
Circadin is suitable for most adults, 55 years of age and over, for short-term sleep problems. Those under 55 and children with longer-term sleep problems can also take melatonin, if recomended by a specialist.
Who is Circadin not suitable for?
Circadin may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking melatonin if you:
- Have had an allergic reaction to Circadin previously
- Have had an allergic reaction to any of the other ingredients in Circadin, such as ammonio methacrylate copolymer type B, lactose monohydrate, silica (colloidal anhydrous), and talc
- Have kidney or liver problems
- Have diabetes or high blood pressure
- Have an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis
- Are pregnant. If your baby is healthy, you may take Circadin while breastfeeding
How and where to get Circadin?
Circadin is available on prescription. It is not available over the counter at a pharmacy. Now Patient does not allow customers to buy Circadin directly. Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of insomnia, you can discuss if Circadin is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by Now Patient.
Dosage and strength for Circadin for insomnia
Circadin is available as a 2mg prolonged-release tablet.
Information about how to take Circadin for insomnia
The recommended dose of Circadin is one tablet daily, one to two hours before bedtime after food. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. You can continue taking Circadin for up to 13 weeks. Read the patient information leaflet provided to you with your medication by the healthcare professional.
How does Circadin work?
Circadin works by activating melatonin receptors in the brain, regulating the body’s circadian rhythm.
What happens if you take too much Circadin?
It is unlikely to harm you if you take 1 or 2 extra Circadin tablets.
What are the side effects of Circadin?
Side effects of Circadin are split into common and serious. The list below shows the common side effects of Circadin in clinical trials when compared to placebo:
- Daytime drowsiness
- Headache, dizziness (vertigo)
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Irritability or restlessness
- Dry mouth
- Abnormal dreams or night sweats
- Dermatitis, dry skin, eczema
Serious side effects include:
- Depression
- Chest pain
- Severe chest pain due to angina
- Visual impairment
- Psoriasis
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
There is little data about the long-term effects of Circadin in children or adults. Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here: how and where do i report side effects of my medication
Information about taking Circadin at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
It can be dangerous if you take Circadin with herbal remedies, as it can make you very drowsy. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
Tell your healthcare provider if you’re taking any of the following medicines before taking Circadin:
- Antidepressants such as amitriptyline or fluvoxamine
- Benzodiazepines such as temazepam or diazepam
- Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics such as zopiclone
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen
- Warfarin for blood clots
- Cimetidine
Why might Circadin not work for insomnia?
Melatonin may not work for you if you drink alcohol or smoke.
Will Circadin affect my contraception?
Circadin will not affect your contraception, including emergency contraception or the combined pill. Your levels of melatonin may however increase when you take the combined pill or HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
Is there a herbal Circadin?
No. Herbal Circadin does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Circadin?
You can eat and drink normally when taking Circadin, but you should avoid alcohol or smoking as they can stop Circadin working as well as it should.
Sources
- Nhs – Circadin
- Examine – Circadin
- My.clevelandclinic – Circadin
- Flynnpharma – Circadin
- Ema.europa – Circadin
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information in this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Important Information
Is CIRCADIN a sleeping tablet?
How many days does it take for Circadin to work?
Is it OK to take melatonin every night?
Is 2mg of melatonin strong?
Why is melatonin banned in the UK?
Can you legally buy melatonin in the UK?
Is melatonin still banned in the UK?
Is there any harm in taking melatonin?
Is melatonin a stimulant or depressant?
Is it safe to take 10 mg of melatonin every night?
What happens if you take melatonin and don't sleep?
What are the side effects of taking CIRCADIN?
Is CIRCADIN just melatonin?
Does CIRCADIN make you tired the next day?
How long does CIRCADIN make you sleep for?
How quickly does CIRCADIN work?
Who should not take melatonin?
Can I buy Circadin over the counter?
Is melatonin bad for your liver or kidneys?
Can taking melatonin every night be harmful?
Is melatonin illegal in the UK?
Is melatonin bad for anxiety?
Can melatonin make you gain weight?
Does melatonin make you groggy the next day?
What is the difference between CIRCADIN and melatonin?
Is melatonin safer than sleeping pills?
Is Circadin habit forming?
How long can you take Circadin 2mg for?
What is the new name for Circadin?
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