Took Too Much Melatonin? Symptoms and When to Get Help
Taking too much melatonin most often causes drowsiness, headache, nausea or dizziness, and these usually pass. But get medical advice if you are unsure how much was taken, and especially if a child swallowed it. Call 911 if the person is very hard to wake, confused, has trouble breathing, has a seizure or collapses.
Do not drive, and do not take other sleep or sedating medicines or alcohol while you are drowsy. Do not make anyone vomit.
Need help now? Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency, or reach our 24/7 line.
Key takeaways
- Too much melatonin usually causes drowsiness, headache, nausea and dizziness.
- A child who swallowed melatonin, including gummies, should be assessed even if they look well.
- Very hard to wake, confusion, slow breathing or a seizure: call 911.
- Avoid driving, alcohol and other sedating medicines until the drowsiness has fully passed.
- Bring the bottle to the ER; supplement strengths vary between products.
Melatonin is sold as a sleep aid and is easy to buy, and many families keep gummies at home that look like sweets. Because strengths differ between brands, it is easy to take more than you meant to, and children sometimes eat several at once. Most cases are mild, but some need a doctor, and the answer depends on who took it and what else they took. If other medicines or alcohol were involved, see alcohol poisoning signs as well.
What are the symptoms of too much melatonin?
Common effects of taking more than intended include:
- Drowsiness or feeling groggy.
- Headache.
- Nausea or stomach upset.
- Dizziness.
- Vivid dreams or feeling unusually irritable or low.
- In larger amounts or with other sedating substances, being hard to wake or confused.
What should I do if I or my child took too much?
If the overdose was on purpose, you are not alone and help is available. Please still go to the ER now or call 911, and tell someone you trust.
- Check the person is awake, breathing normally and can answer you. If not, call 911.
- Find the bottle and note the product, strength, how many were taken and when. Also note any other medicines or alcohol.
- Do not make the person vomit and do not give caffeine or other remedies to wake them.
- Get medical advice now for a child, or if you are unsure how much was taken or took other sedating substances.
- Keep the person on their side and stay with them while they are drowsy.
Why can children be a special concern?
Gummies and flavoured tablets are tempting to young children, and a small body can be affected by an amount that would barely trouble an adult. Always store supplements and medicines out of sight and reach. If a child may have swallowed some, read what to do if a child swallows medicine and get them assessed even if they look well.
Too much melatonin: what could it be?
| Situation | Typical signs | When it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult took a little extra | Sleepy, headache, mild nausea | Hours | Rest, do not drive, ask a doctor or pharmacist |
| Child ate gummies or tablets | May look well or be sleepy | Any time | Go to the ER even if the child looks well |
| Taken with alcohol or other sedatives | Very sleepy, slow, unsteady | Hours | Go to the ER; call 911 if hard to wake |
| Hard to wake, confused, slow breathing or fit | Looks unwell | Any time | Call 911 |
When is this an emergency?
Call 911 or go to the ER now if:
- Very hard to wake, or cannot stay awake.
- Confusion or unusual behaviour.
- Slow, shallow or noisy breathing.
- A seizure (fit) or collapse.
- Fainting, a very slow pulse or blue lips.
- Took it with alcohol or other sedating medicines and is very drowsy.
- A young child who may have swallowed a large number, even if they look well.
Do any of these match? For a life-threatening emergency call 911. For other urgent problems, our Dabouq emergency department is open 24/7.
See a doctor the same day if:
- Unsure how much was taken, even if you feel fine.
- Drowsiness, headache or nausea that is not settling.
- You are pregnant, have a long-term condition, or take other regular medicines.
- A child took any amount and you have not yet had advice.
May be managed at home, with follow-up, if:
- An adult took a small extra amount, feels only mildly sleepy, and a doctor or pharmacist has said home is fine.
- Breathing and speech are normal and the person can be woken easily.
- Someone can stay nearby, and no driving until fully alert.
What happens when you come to Emergency Plus?
At the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, emergency doctors are on site 24/7 and you can walk in without an appointment. The team will ask about your symptoms, check you, and may use the on-site X-ray, ultrasound or laboratory where they are needed. They will explain the right next step for you, in Arabic or English.
Too much melatonin and not sure what to do?
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and don't drive yourself. For anything urgent that is not life-threatening, the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 with no appointment, with an Arabic and English speaking team.
Call our 24/7 ER: +962 79 247 1313Sources
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 — +962 79 247 1313.