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DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1811758
Efficacy, Safety, and Indications of Exogenous Melatonin in Patients with ADHD
Autoren
Introduction: Melatonin is a hormone that participates in sleep and circadian rhythm regulation.The exogenous form of this hormone may be considered as a treatment of sleep disorder for patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The latter is characterized by attention deficits, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity. Disorders of sleep can deepen the severity of these symptoms.
Objective: To examine the existing scientific literature on the use of exogenous melatonin in ADHD patients, evaluating its efficacy and safety compared to placebo or other therapies. Identifying the main indications and recommended dosages of exogenous melatonin in this population.
Methods: A systematic narrative review was operated following PRISMA guidelines. For the search, the selection included scientific articles over the past ten years containing the terms “Exogenous Melatonin” and “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” finding a total of 7 relevant studies. The exclusion criteria included studies conducted on animals and plants, case reports, and those with less than 20 participants.
Results: The review showed that exogenous melatonin significantly improved the sleep latency and total sleep duration in children and adolescents with ADHD. Lower doses of melatonin at 1 mg were well-tolerated. It could be beneficial to administer this medication before the natural beginning of endogenous melatonin secretion in accordance with the circadian rhythm of each individual. Melatonin combined with behavioral therapies and stimulant medication enhanced the overall treatment outcome of ADHD.
Conclusion: Exogenous melatonin appears promising for the management of sleep disorders among ADHD patients. Furthermore, it supports the improvement in behavioral and cognitive symptoms. It is generally safe medication, however, with its long-term use, constant supervision is necessary to confirm its effectiveness and safety.More research should be undertaken to find the optimal dose and long-term effects of this pharmacological approach. Interactions with other medications for ADHD need exploration.
Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.
Publikationsverlauf
Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. September 2025
© 2025. Brazilian Sleep Academy. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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