Chewable Melatonin tablets get my son to sleep with ease
Written: Jun 20 '04 (Updated Jun 20 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: For children and adults, chewable, available without a Prescription
Cons: enhances dreams, may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications
The Bottom Line: Melatonin supplementation is used principally for helping to sleep and jet-lag. It is also a powerful antioxidant and helps strengthen the immune system.
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| bonniesayers's Full Review: Kirkman Melatonin 1 mg chewable tablets |
I ordered the Kirkman Chewable Melatonin 1 mg chewable tablets through their Kirkman Labs Online Store. For a few years now I have heard through the autism community that Melatonin is used as a sleep-aid for children. I never really considered it, thus I did not follow the conversations entirely surrounding this supplement. Over a year ago my non-verbal son started taking antipsychotic medications with great results for his behaviors and the sleep routine was cut to nil. Prior to medication it would take almost two hours for him to fall asleep.
A few months ago I noticed sleep problems in my now nine-year old son, who is also on the autism spectrum. He shows many signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and I considered medication for him as well, until we got stuck with insurance issues and finding a child psychiatrist. First we tried the Children’s Benadryl Dye-Free Allergy Liquid in hopes of promoting sleep due to the drowsiness side effect of this over the counter medicine.
I did some research and decided to take the plunge on the Kirkman Chewable Melatonin 1 mg chewable tablets. The bottle contains 100 pea-sized tablets. The expiration date is listed on the white label on the bottle, which is 03/06. The white lid is child proof, with the open and push down option. A tablet should be taken one hour before bedtime. I give my nine-year old his tablet about thirty minutes before and he is ready for bed quickly. The first time he took a tablet he went to sleep fifteen minutes earlier than usual. The 3 mg bottle containing 100 tablets as well is available for $14.00. The 1 mg container we have was purchased at $7.00. I store the bottle in a cool, dry place and out of reach of children. This can be taken under the tongue as well to dissolve or just chew it as my son does.
Each capsule contains one mg of Melatonin. Other ingredients include sorbitol, mannitol, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate and natural menthol flavor. Kirkman Chewable Melatonin 1 mg chewable tablets do not contain sugar, soy, acacia, wheat, milk, yeast, casein, gliadin, gluten or artificial colorings or flavorings. This is suited for a child on the gfcf diet and the feingold diet. The recommended dosage is one tablet for both children and adults, unless advised differently by a Physician. I did let our Pediatrician know that my son was taking the Melatonin so she could mark it on her chart and get her feedback. She said it was fine for him to be taking to promote sleep.
“ Melatonin is a hormone secreted in the human body by the pineal gland. It is manufactured in that gland from seratonin. It is believed that manufacturing and secreting melatonin is the sole function of the pineal gland.”
My son has no qualms about chewing the Kirkman Chewable Melatonin 1 mg chewable tablets. He was taking one tablet Sunday through Thursday nights, with a break on Friday and Saturday since he could stay up a little longer. He had a virus a few weeks ago with vomiting and did not take any tablets at that time. He is currently taking a break and once summer day camp starts up in two weeks he will be offered the choice of taking Kirkman Chewable Melatonin 1 mg chewable tablets before bedtime.
He says they kind of taste like medicine, but he does not need to down the tablet with water immediately. He much prefers the Melatonin over other choices. This is a child that enjoys drinking the pink antibiotic medicine for kids that needs to be refrigerated.
In researching possible side effects and drug interactions with Melatonin I found some interesting websites.
http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsSupplements/Melatonincs.html
http://www.wellfx.com/InfoBase/vitamin_melatonin_.htm
http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsSupplements/Melatonincs.html#Interactions
http://www.websciences.org/sltbr/melfaq.htm
http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbal_medicine/side_effects/melatonin_side_effects.html
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p990370.html
Recommended:
Yes
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bonniesayers
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