Is melatonin safe for a 7 year old?

Question

My son is 7 and has adhd and is on dexedrine. He has a horrible time sleeping. He stays up all night. I have tried so many things. I was wondering if melatonin would be a safe option. I checked and there are no drug interactions.

Answer 1

Yes!  My sister and brother-in-law are both doctors and give it to their youngest daughter who at times gets a bit wound up and can't sleep.  They call it "instant Sophie relief" (haha) ;-)  It is naturally occurring in the body and perfectly safe.

Answer 2

Adhd pills have a side effect of that.

p.s. Adhd pills go into your blood, to your heart and creates a sticky goo, its sort of like tar. YOUR KILLING YOUR KID FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS FRICKING EMOTIONS ITS NOT CURED BY A PILL!

Answer 3

No, i think there is a better alternative than melatonin.  

Answer 4

I use melatonin and it works great.  My 15 yr old bros doc recommended it to him, so I'm sure it would be fine.  It wouldn't hurt to call the pharmacist and ask what dosage u should use.

Answer 5

Pills are not the answer to everything!

You need to get your kid active in sports to burn all that extra energy - that's all it is! There is NO such thing has "adhd."

Get him OFF the damned DRUGS (uh, they're no better than HEROIN!) and into something productive. And being outside running around will help him to sleep normally, and find it calms him down considerably.

*my palm to your forehead*

Freaking parents drugging their kids because they're too energetic really ticks me off.

Answer 6

Yep, I've been taking Melatonin since I was six.

It's something that's natural found in the body, so it's perfectly safe to take in small doses.

The only side-effect is that it may give him horrible nightmares.

Answer 7

I used it on a 3 year with no side effects. It's very safe and my pediatrician told me to use as much as 1 GRAM. You might want to start with 300 mcg and then move up to the 3 mg and 5 mg tabs. Good luck, I know the feeling, mine has autism.

Answer 8

You have to understand that melatonin is a hormone, so I'd be hesitant to give a developing child any hormones.

Dexedrine is classified as an amphetamine (speed) so it's no wonder your son can't sleep.

I know you didn't ask, but I'd suggest alternative methods of managing the adhd and drug side effects.

Try "Little Sugar Addicts"  The program has helped thousands of kids with ADD. They are clear, focused and no longer taking meds. But it takes time and work. http://www.littlesugaraddicts.com/

Answer 9

I think unlike other people who must have no experience with ADHD making assumptions that it can always be treated effectively without drugs.  IT IS NOT just "freaking emotions"-to "No One Knows"   I have experienced it myself and want to say i wish you could understand what it feels like to have ADHD- always having uncontrollable thoughts scattered running through your head. Medicine helps keep focus and works well.  Many other medicines have much MUCH worse side effects than ADHD drugs.  I believe melatonin would be a good idea to help your son, but you should probably check with his doctor first.