Melatonin Update

(1-97) I was not crazy to open a capsule of Melatonin, pour a little powder on my palm, and lick the powder. Some experts indicated that the currently available forms of the sleep-aid hormone contain amounts that are up to 40 times higher than what the body requires. A new product called Melzone was developed by Interneuron Pharmaceuticals. Melzone contains only 0.3 mg of melatonin in each tablet. The majority of capsules and tablets currently sold at health-food stores contain 1 to 3 mg of melatonin. Animal studies indicate that a number of blood vessels have melatonin receptors, and that adding more melatonin could cause the vessels to constrict. "That opens the potential that melatonin could interact with health conditions or drugs and perhaps cause a stroke," Dr. Monjan warns. Melzone will be sold only in the Boston area for at least 6 months before it will be available in other parts of the country. Before you can get hold of Melzone, better do as I do. Lick a little bit at a time. 1