Melatonin Drug Interactions

A number of medications may interact negatively with melatonin. Drug interactions may occur if melatonin is taken with antidepressants, narcotics and opiates, calcium channel blockers, or hormonal contraceptives. Drug interactions with melatonin such as these could lead to an increased risk for developing side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion, memory loss, and difficulty breathing.

 

An Introduction to Melatonin Drug Interactions

Melatonin can potentially interact with several other medicines. Some of the medicines that may lead to melatonin drug interactions include:
 
 
 
  • Barbiturates, including (but not limited to):
 
    • Amobarbital (Amytal®)
    • Butalbital (Fioricet®, Fiorinal®)
    • Pentobarbital (Nembutal®)
    • Phenobarbital (Luminal®)
    • Secobarbital (Seconal®)
 
  • Benzodiazepines, such as:
 
 
 
 
  • Diabetes medications (both oral and injectable)
  • Hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills, patches, or rings)
  • Narcotics or opiates, such as morphine (MSIR®), oxycodone (OxyContin®), or hydrocodone (Lortab®, Vicodin®)
  • Other sleep medications
  • Warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).
     
(Melatonin Drug Interactions Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;