Active ingredient:
melatonin
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using MELATONIN VIATRIS. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using MELATONIN VIATRIS.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
2. What should I know before I use MELATONIN VIATRIS?
1. Why am I using MELATONIN VIATRIS?
MELATONIN VIATRIS contains the active ingredient melatonin. MELATONIN VIATRIS is (not of plant or animal origin), belongs to a group of naturally
occurring hormones produced in the body.
Melatonin works by controlling the circadian rhythms and increasing the propensity
to sleep.
MELATONIN VIATRIS is used to improve sleep quality and morning alertness in patients
over 55 years of age with primary insomnia with poor quality of sleep.
2. What should I know before I use MELATONIN VIATRIS?
Warnings
Do not use MELATONIN VIATRIS if:
you are allergic to melatonin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty
breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, or rash,
itching or hives on the skin.
Do not take MELATONIN VIATRIS if you have been drinking alcohol or intend to drink
alcohol or believe that you may have alcohol, in your blood stream.
Do not take MELATONIN VIATRIS if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. MELATONIN VIATRIS
has not been studied in pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Do not take it if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking MELATONIN VIATRIS talk to you
doctor.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you:
have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods,
preservatives or dyes.
take any medicines for any other condition
have, or have had the following medical conditions:
suffer from liver problems
suffer from kidney problems
If you suffer from an autoimmune disease
have a rare hereditary problem of galactose intolerance, the LAPP lactase deficiency
or glucose-galactose malabsorption
Do not give MELATONIN VIATRIS to a child or adolescent. There is no experience with
its use in children or adolescents under 18 years old.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with MELATONIN VIATRIS and affect how it works.
These include:
hypnotics and tranquilisers (e.g. benzodiazepine),
fluvoxamine, thioridazine and imipramine (used to treat depression or psychiatric
problems),
oestrogen (contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy),
cimetidine and psoralens (used to treat skin problems e.g. psoriasis)
alcohol
caffeine
The effect of adding MELATONIN VIATRIS to other medicines used to treat insomnia has
not been examined. It is not known if MELATONIN VIATRIS will increase or decrease
the effects of other treatments for insomnia.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect MELATONIN VIATRIS. They will have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking
MELATONIN VIATRIS.
4. How do I use MELATONIN VIATRIS?
How much to take
Take MELATONIN VIATRIS only when prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.
The standard dose of MELATONIN VIATRIS is one tablet once a day.
There is no evidence that taking more than the recommended dose will increase the
effect of MELATONIN VIATRIS.
Follow the instructions provided with the medicine.
Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
How to take MELATONIN VIATRIS
Swallow your tablet whole with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew or divide your tablet.
Each MELATONIN VIATRIS tablet has been specially designed to release the right dose
of medicine while you sleep. If you crush, chew or divide the tablet they will not
work properly
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may
differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist
for help.
When to take MELATONIN VIATRIS
MELATONIN VIATRIS should be taken with or soon after food (or with a snack), 1-2 hours
before you go to bed.
How long to take MELATONIN VIATRIS
It is important that you continue taking MELATONIN VIATRIS for as long as your doctor
or pharmacist prescribes.
Do not take for longer than 3 weeks unless advised by a doctor.
If you forget to take MELATONIN VIATRIS
If you forget to take your tablet, take another as soon as you remember, before going
to bed or wait until it is time for your next dose.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you are not sure what to do, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your MELATONIN VIATRIS, ask your pharmacist
for some hints.
If you use too much MELATONIN VIATRIS
If you think that you have used too much MELATONIN VIATRIS, you may need urgent medical
attention.
You should immediately: phone the Poisons Information Centre (In Australia telephone 13 11 26 and in New Zealand 0800 POISON [0800 764 766]) for advice, or
contact your doctor or pharmacist, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using MELATONIN VIATRIS?
Things you should do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine tell your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking MELATONIN VIATRIS.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using MELATONIN VIATRIS.
If you become pregnant while taking MELATONIN VIATRIS, stop taking the tablets and
tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Go to bed and arise at the same time daily
Engage in relaxing activities before bedtime
Exercise regularly but not in the late evening
Avoid eating meals or large snacks just before bedtime
Eliminate daytime naps
Avoid caffeine-containing drinks after midday
Avoid alcohol or the use of nicotine late in the evening
Minimise external disruption (e.g. light and noise)
If you are unable to sleep, do not become anxious; leave the bedroom and participate
in relaxing activities such as reading or listening to music until you are tired.
Things you should not do
Do not give MELATONIN VIATRIS to anyone else, even if they have the same condition
as you.
Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor or pharmacist tells
you to.
Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist
tells you to.
Do not drink alcohol before or after taking this medicine.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how MELATONIN
VIATRIS affects you.
MELATONIN VIATRIS rarely causes drowsiness, nevertheless it is not recommended to
drive or operate machinery for 8 hours after you take it. MELATONIN VIATRIS does not
impair morning alertness, but if you suffer from drowsiness during the day you should
consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol before or after taking this medicine
Looking after your medicine
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight where the temperature
stays below 25°C; for example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
When to discard your medicine (as relevant)
If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking the tablets or the tablets have
passed their expiry date.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions.
Less serious side effects
|
Less serious side effects
|
What to do
|
|
Back pain, pain in joints, swelling of joints (arthritis), pain in the extremities,
neck pain, muscle spasms, feeling tired, night cramps
Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, indigestion, dry mouth,
mouth ulceration or blistering, tongue ulceration, weight increase, abnormal bowel
sounds, flatulence (wind), excess saliva production, bad breath, abdominal discomfort,
gastro- oesophageal reflux, inflammation of stomach lining, gastrointestinal disorder,
gastrointestinal upset, gastric disorder
Urinary tract infection
Excessive thirst, passing large volumes of urine, presence of red blood cells in the
urine, urination during the night, Excretion of glucose in urine, excess proteins
in urine
Cough or respiratory tract infections, cold
Irritability, nervousness, restlessness, psychomotor hyperactivity (restlessness associated
with increased activity), insomnia, abnormal dreams, nightmares, anxiety, depression,
lethargy, altered mood, aggression, increased sex drive, agitation, crying, stress
symptoms, early morning awakening, dreamy state, restless legs syndrome, poor quality
sleep
Headache, migraine, weakness, dizziness, night sweats, vertigo
Watery eyes
Itching, itchy rash, inflammation of skin, rash, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, nail
disorder
Increased blood pressure
Menopausal symptoms, hot flushes, increased duration of erection, inflammation of
the prostate gland
Increased liver enzymes or abnormal liver function, hyperbilirubinaemia (changes in
the composition of your blood which could cause yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
High level of fatty molecules in the blood, low serum calcium levels in the blood,
low sodium levels in the blood, abnormal blood electrolytes, abnormal laboratory tests
|
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of these less serious side effects
and they worry you.
|
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
7. Product details
This medicine is available over-the-counter without a doctor's prescription.
What MELATONIN VIATRIS contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
melatonin 2 mg
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
ammonio methacrylate copolymer
calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate
lactose monohydrate
colloidal anhydrous silica
purified talc
magnesium stearate
|
|
Potential allergens
|
lactose
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What MELATONIN VIATRIS looks like
MELATONIN VIATRIS 2 mg tablets are white to off-white oval bi-convex shaped tablets
MELATONIN VIATRIS tablets are available in 7,15,21 and 30 tablet pack*.
*some pack sizes are not marketed. (AUST R 421718).
Who distributes MELATONIN VIATRIS
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in April 2024.
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