Can I safely take 3 5mg sleeping pills?

Question

It's melatonin. The suggestion on the bottle is just to take 2, but that rarely works for me. I took 3 last night and slept like a baby. Is it safe to do this? I really have a hard time getting to sleep and this seems to work. but is it ok?

Thanks!

Answer 1

No.  Any time you take more medication than is recommended, IT'S DRUG ABUSE.

You've probably developed a tolerance for the medication you are taking and your body will require more and more to get the same effect you did when you started.  You're s******g up your natural supply of melatonin and, sooner or later, there's going to be a big problem.

It's time to have a talk with your doctor instead of the people on Answers.  You need professional advice instead of opinions.

Answer 2

I would not take more than the suggested dosage.

Also be aware that melatonin has hormone reactions and not everyone thinks it's safe.

I stopped taking melatonin for two reasons:

1) My fibroid tumors started growing after I started taking it - this may or may not have been related.

2) I noticed my melatonin pills developed tiny oily looking 'spots' after just a few weeks.  I don't like thinking of taking meds that are hormonal that change quickly because I worry that their properties might change.

If you regularly have trouble sleeping there are things you can do for it besides pills - decrease your caffiene consumption from all sources, especially after noon.  Eat fresh, healthy foods.  Drink plenty of water and exersize regularly.  Avoid stressful situations and media (like action or suspense TV programs) for at least an hour or two before bedtime.  Take a hot bath our shower right before bedtime.  Engage in relaxing activities or just hang out & relax for a hour before bedtime.

There are also plenty of over the counter sleep aids, like Unisom, that have been tested in ways that melatonin has not.  And if you prefer the herbal approach, I think Kava is safer than melatonin - again in reasonable doses.

It's always best to let your body find it's own rythm without pills or drugs, which will have effects other than those you use them for...which might not all be good...

Answer 3

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by a gland in your brain when you are in a dark place.  The pineal gland doesn't produce as much melatonin after age 25, with a dramatic drop after age 35, so many people find it helpful to supplement.  

It is mistaken to say, as one answerer did, that the best thing is to take nothing at all.  In fact, the best thing is to take the amount of melatonin which helps you get a good night's sleep.  Melatonin is involved in many cell repair functions.  There is no known substitute.  And the body simply won't produce it as much as you get older.  This sort of answer reminds me of the idea that some have that it is best to get all your nutrients from food - which is fine if you want an average lifespan of about 30 years.  If you want to live longer and healthier, you should use diet, exercise, and supplements to get the most out of life.

There are probably no significant dangers to taking too much melatonin.  Every body and every brain is different, so the exact amount that is best for you very much depends on factors too numerous to determine.

The only known difficulty with high doses of melatonin is "too much melatonin may spill over onto the wrong zone of the melatonin phase-response curve," which shows up in loss of sleep due to poor sleep cycle quality.  In fact, doses as small as 350 micrograms (0.35 milligrams) are effective in many people.  But, the way to tell that you are taking too much melatonin for you is lack of good sleep.

So, if you are getting a good night's sleep, then the dose you are taking is right for you.

Wikipedia has an excellent article on melatonin, its natural source, its importance in a wide variety of functions, and contraindications.  My quote above is from that article.  I have included the source information in my answer here.  I would urge you to read the entire article.

Answer 4

There is reason for a "recommended" dose, you should never over dose yourself, take the two that are recommended and lay your self down and close your eyes, and just relax, let the pills work! if you need to knocked out to go to sleep, then you need to see a dr.

Answer 5

yes but try not to take any thing is always the best practice.....

Answer 6

Every medicine has its side effects.Sleeping pills are no exception.Today you can sleep like a baby, but tommorrow you may not be able to do so .REASON:

These drugs are addictive.It may result in further increase in dosage or even taking more strong tranqulisers.

There can be limitless options ,by which one can have sound sleep.Please try to explore or seek guidance .

GOD BLESS YOU.

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

Before taking any more pills, find out why you are not getting to sleep or sleeping poorly.

Could it be caused from: allergic foods (wheat, milk, sugar, soy, grains, egg, yeast), caffeine, nicotine, too many OTC drugs, prescription drugs, not enough good water, Hypothyroidism (low T3 thyroid levels), or some other possibility.

check on the web about hypothyroidism, check these websites below, and find your cause of the poor sleep instead of taking something to cover it up.

All the best to you.

Answer 9

Too many variables(i.e. food & drink).  Either follow the instructions that came from your doctor/pharmacy or call your doctor and ask the question.  Last night you might have been lucky.  Tonight you might not be so lucky.  Don't risk your life if it's not necessary.

Answer 10

I've been taking 3mg every night for many years with no problem. But I was under the impression that that is the maximum dose. You are taking 15mg, 5 times higher.

http://insomnia.emedtv.com/melatonin/mel...

"What Is a Reasonable Melatonin Dosage?

Some information about melatonin dosing can be obtained from clinical studies and from practical experience with the supplement. For most uses, doses ranging from 0.3 to 5 mg once daily (usually in the evening) seem to work well. For most people, it is best to try it at bedtime first. If you find that melatonin does not work quickly enough for you, then you may try taking it earlier in the evening. Like many treatments for sleep disorders, you may not need to take melatonin on a long-term basis. You may only need a few weeks of treatment (or maybe less) in order to get your sleep cycle back on track. Even if you are not taking the supplement for sleep, it is probably best to take it in the evening, as taking it during the day can cause daytime drowsiness and decreased alertness.



Since there is not enough strong evidence to guide you in your choice of a melatonin dosage, a good plan is to start with a reasonable dose and see how your body reacts to it. If you find that you are groggy in the morning and have trouble getting up, or if you are experiencing other melatonin side effects, a lower dose might be better. If it seems to be working a little, but not quite well enough, a higher dose might be right for you. A maximum safe melatonin dose has not been established.

Since the manufacturing of supplements (such as melatonin) is not closely regulated, it is important to choose a trustworthy manufacturer of melatonin supplements. It is a good idea to look for the "USP" symbol, since this means that the supplement has been tested and contains the right ingredients in the right amounts."

Answer 11

do not fool around ask your doctor or pharmacist

Answer 12

yes!!!!

but you are dead!!!