Melatonin for Sleep Apnea Symptom Relief
Melatonin may improve sleep quality alongside treatment but does nothing for airway collapse.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 0.5-3mg 1 hour before bed
- Expected timeframe
- 1-2 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Not applicable
- duration
- Not applicable
- co factor
- Evidence is insufficient and the direction of risk matters. Obstructive sleep apnoea is a mechanical problem - the upper airway collapses repeatedly during sleep, causing oxygen desaturation, sympathetic surges and sleep fragmentation. Melatonin does nothing to the airway. No randomised trial has shown melatonin improves the apnoea-hypopnoea index or oxygen saturation. There is a theoretical concern in the opposite direction: sedating agents can reduce upper airway muscle tone and blunt arousal responses, potentially prolonging apnoeic events, and while melatonin is a weaker sedative than hypnotics, it is not established as safe in untreated moderate to severe apnoea. Any subjective improvement in sleep may mask worsening disease, which is the real hazard here.
- titration
- Not applicable
- starting dose
- Not applicable - melatonin is not a treatment for sleep apnoea
Evidence
What the studies say
Effectiveness of ramelteon for insomnia symptoms in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study
Gooneratne NS, Gehrman P, Gurubhagavatula I +1 more
Ramelteon treatment was associated with a statistically significant difference in sleep onset latency (SOL) as measured by polysomnography of 28.5 min compared to placebo
Safety
Caveats
Discuss any sedating agent with your sleep clinician first.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.