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MEDICAL INFORMATION
Circadin Key Facts
Other Related Names or Treatments
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. NowPatient 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?
You can buy Circadin safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.
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 NowPatient.
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 on 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.
Related Articles
FAQs
Answers to Popular Questions About Circadin
What is Circadin?
Circadin is a brand-name prolonged-release melatonin tablet containing 2 mg of melatonin. It is manufactured by Neurim Pharmaceuticals and is licensed in the UK for the short-term treatment of primary insomnia characterised by poor quality of sleep in adults aged 55 years and over. Circadin is the only licensed melatonin product for insomnia in the UK and is a prescription-only medicine. The prolonged-release formulation gradually releases melatonin throughout the night, mimicking the body’s natural secretion pattern.
How does Circadin differ from immediate-release melatonin?
Circadin’s prolonged-release technology gradually releases melatonin over several hours, mimicking the body’s natural nocturnal melatonin secretion curve. Immediate-release melatonin products (available on prescription as unlicensed specials) release all the melatonin at once, producing a spike followed by rapid decline. The prolonged-release design helps maintain sleep throughout the night rather than just aiding sleep onset. This is particularly beneficial for people who wake frequently during the night.
Is Circadin available on the NHS?
Yes, Circadin is available on NHS prescription for adults aged 55 and over with primary insomnia. GPs can prescribe it for up to 13 weeks. For children with neurodevelopmental conditions, melatonin (often as unlicensed immediate-release preparations) may be prescribed by specialists. Circadin is also available through private prescriptions and online services like NowPatient.
How do I take Circadin?
Take one Circadin 2 mg tablet once daily, 1–2 hours before bedtime, after food. Swallow the tablet whole — do not crush, break, or chew it, as this destroys the prolonged-release mechanism and releases all the melatonin at once. Take Circadin at approximately the same time each evening to establish a consistent routine. The licensed treatment duration is up to 13 weeks.
Can I take Circadin for longer than 13 weeks?
The licensed duration for Circadin is 13 weeks. However, some prescribers may continue melatonin treatment beyond this period if it remains effective and well-tolerated, particularly if the patient has no underlying sleep disorder requiring different treatment. This would be an off-label use and should be discussed with your doctor. Periodic reviews are recommended to assess whether continued treatment is necessary.
What are the side effects of Circadin?
Circadin is generally well-tolerated. Uncommon side effects include headache, pharyngitis, back pain, and asthenia (weakness). Rare side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and vivid dreams. There is no evidence of dependence, tolerance, or rebound insomnia on stopping. Circadin has a much safer profile than benzodiazepines or Z-drugs for insomnia management.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Circadin?
Alcohol should be avoided while taking Circadin. Alcohol impairs natural melatonin production, disrupts sleep architecture, and reduces the effectiveness of melatonin treatment. Combining alcohol with melatonin may also increase drowsiness. For the best chance of improving your sleep, avoid alcohol in the evening hours.
How can I get Circadin?
Circadin is available on NHS prescription from your GP for adults aged 55 and over. It can also be prescribed privately through online services like NowPatient. Your prescriber will assess your insomnia, rule out secondary causes, and determine whether melatonin is appropriate. NowPatient offers convenient online consultations with qualified UK prescribers.
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