title: Melatonin for primary insomnia?
abstract: Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, has a key role in regulating circadian rhythms, most importantly, the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin's action has led to its being tried as a treatment for a wide range of sleep disorders, such as jet lag, primary insomnia, sleep-wake cycle disruption and sleep problems in children with neuro-developmental disorders. Until recently, it had not been licensed in the UK for any indication. Prolonged-release melatonin (Circadin - Lundbeck) has now been licensed as a treatment for primary insomnia. Here we consider whether this product has a place in the management of people with this condition.
mesh_terms: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D000075202:Contraindications; D017277:Drug Approval; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D040541:Marketing; D008550:Melatonin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D008550:Melatonin