Melatonin
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Melatonin during a consultation by Dr Noor. Melatonin for pets is discussed below.”
(mel-ah-tone-in)
Description:
This medicine is a hormone.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Regulin®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: There are no standard veterinary forms listed. In some countries, there are different products that can be placed under the skin as an implant.
- For people: Melatonin tablets can be bought without a prescription (over-the-counter, or OTC). They come in many strengths, most often between 0.5 mg and 3 mg. Some forms are made to release slowly over time (3 mg capsules). A liquid taken by mouth may also be available (500 micrograms per mL).
This handout does not include every possible detail about this medicine. It is meant to answer common questions, but it does not replace medical advice. If you need more details or have questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
Key Information – Melatonin for pets
- May be given with food or without food.
- Most animals handle it well.
- It can cause drowsiness or sleepiness.
How is this medication useful?
- In dogs, melatonin taken by mouth may be used for certain coat and hair problems (for example, Alopecia-X in Nordic breeds, a baldness pattern seen in dogs, or repeated hair loss on the flanks). It may also be used for problems with the sleep schedule and for behavior concerns (for example, fears/phobias and separation anxiety).
- In cats, melatonin taken by mouth may be used for sleep schedule problems, such as roaming at night.
- In ferrets, melatonin has been used for disease of the adrenal glands.
Melatonin products are not checked for safety or how well they work. Use only the product your veterinarian recommends. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this choice fits your animal.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can decide together what is best.
- Some medicines can affect how this one works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, or herbal products. Also share the dose amount and the time you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has been treated before for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist if your animal has had medicine-related problems in the past, including allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, loose stool/diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
You should expect this medicine to start helping your animal feel better within 1 to 2 hours. After that, you should see improvement in the signs you are noticing.
This medicine does not last long in the body. Its effects stop within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns for your animal.
If your animal has any of the conditions listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
- Do not use in animals that have an allergy to it.
- Use carefully in animals that are pregnant, nursing, or intended for breeding.
- Use carefully in animals with severe liver disease.
- Use carefully in animals that have not yet reached sexual maturity.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that are usually mild include:
- You do not need to be highly worried if you notice this sign unless it is strong, gets worse, or does not go away. If it happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Sleepiness.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
It is not likely that too much melatonin will cause harm. However, if you see or think an overdose happened and your animal is acting abnormally, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for guidance.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work as intended, give it exactly the way your veterinarian instructed. Always look at the prescription label to confirm you are giving it correctly.
- You may give this medicine with a meal or on an empty stomach. If your animal vomits or seems unwell after getting it without food, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If you are using a liquid form, measure it with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to lower stress during medicine time.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you clearly understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before treatment is finished. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to keep using it.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed one. Instead, give the next dose at the regular time. Then continue with the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give an extra dose.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container, or in an approved dose reminder container (such as a pill organizer). Store it at room temperature and keep it away from light.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist prepared a custom-made version (a compounded form) for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special safety steps are needed when handling this medicine unless you are allergic to it. Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink.
- If your area has a community drug “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching through trash. Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks. Then place it in the regular trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- This medicine may be prohibited in some animal competitions. Before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine, check the rules.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”