Frequently Asked Questions

Many people have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Others feel that their sleep is restless, light or of poor quality. They wake up feeling unrefreshed. Everyone’s idea of a ‘good night’s sleep’ varies, so the amount of sleep considered ‘a problem’ for one person may not be an issue for someone else. However, sleep problems can start to arise when:

• You’re concerned about the lack of sleep, or your sleep quality
• It starts making you feel tired or sleepy during the daytime
• It’s affecting how well you function at work or when doing everyday activities.

If you are unsure about how well you sleep, try keeping a sleep diary to help keep track of your sleep patterns and how you are feeling.

Click here to download a sleep diary.

If you’re concerned about the amount or the quality of your sleep, it’s important to seek advice from your doctor or your pharmacist.

Sleep hygiene refers to a range of everyday habits that can help you sleep better, such as avoiding alcohol or caffeinated drinks (like tea, coffee, or cola) close to bedtime, waking up at the same time each morning, and ensuring your room is at a comfortable temperature.

Learn more about sleep hygiene or click here to download the sleep hygiene fact sheet.

Poor sleep hygiene (sleep habits) is a common cause of sleep problems.

One of the most important steps in improving your sleep hygiene is to establish a regular sleep routine. This can involve maintaining regular pre-bed activities, keeping your bedroom surroundings relatively constant, and waking up at the same time each day. However, you should avoid going to bed if you aren’t tired, even if it means going to bed at irregular times.

Here are a few steps you could try:

• Avoid caffeinated drinks before going to bed
• Avoid napping during the day
• Limit your alcohol and cigarette use before bedtime

Learn more about sleep hygiene.

Click here to download a sleep hygiene fact sheet.

It depends. A 3-week supply of Circadin can be obtained without a prescription for people aged 55 or older. However, you will need to talk to your pharmacist first so they can decide if it’s right for you. Otherwise, you should speak to your doctor.

The sleep promoting effect of Circadin will take place from 1 to 2 hours after taking a tablet.

For the best effect, take Circadin as directed. (Circadin should be used regularly at the same time each day, after food and 1 to 2 hours before you go to bed). To approach your sleep issues holistically, we recommend you also follow good sleep hygiene practices.

Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

Circadin has a specific, prolonged release formulation which means the melatonin is slowly released over the course of 8 to 10 hours and mimics the body’s natural pattern of melatonin release.¹

Circadin is a pharmaceutical grade melatonin product – which means it has been carefully assessed for quality, efficacy and consistency, and has been approved for use in Australia.

It is not recommended to take Circadin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (Circadin has not been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women). Talk to your doctor for advice about taking medications during pregnancy/ breastfeeding.

No – Circadin is only approved for use in people aged 55 years or over. It is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy.

The active ingredient in Circadin is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by our bodies that regulates our sleep patterns and helps us fall asleep.

In contrast to traditional sleeping pills, melatonin has little potential for dependence. It is not associated with habituation.²

You are unlikely to become dependent on melatonin and there are no known withdrawal problems when you stop taking it.²

Circadin is best taken after eating and 1 to 2 hours before your selected bedtime. Ideally, it should be taken at approximately the same time each day.

Circadin prolonged release formulation mimics the body’s natural melatonin levels, peaking at night and gradually falling towards morning, whilst respecting your natural sleep cycles throughout the night.

This allows you to wake up naturally, alert and without the hangover effect some people feel with traditional sleeping pills.

Circadin rarely causes drowsiness, nevertheless it is not recommended to drive or operate machinery for 8 hours after you take it.

Circadin does not impair morning alertness, but if you suffer from drowsiness during the day, you should consult your doctor.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about melatonin and its potential side-effects.

Melatonin supplementation is not associated with weight gain. However, poor sleep is linked with weight gain. People who are sleep deprived are more likely to be overweight: the shorter the sleep, the greater the likelihood of being overweight.

According to a 2014 study, low levels of melatonin in the body are associated with increased appetite and weight gain.³

People who were given much higher than normal doses of melatonin in a clinical study didn’t show any melatonin overdose symptoms. They didn’t feel any sleepier than people given normal doses and didn’t report any other adverse reactions.

If you’ve taken more than the recommended dose of melatonin, consult your doctor.

Headache is an uncommon side-effect of melatonin. In a study that compared Circadin melatonin tablets to placebo, 6% of people experienced headache when taking melatonin and the same percentage (6%) of the placebo group also experienced headache. ⁴

1.  Zisapel N. Br J Pharmacol. 2018; 175(16):3190–3199.
2.  Ferracioli-Oda E, et al. PLoS One. 2013; 8(5):e63773.
3. Walecka-Kapica E, et al. Prz Menopauzalny. 2014; 13(6):334–338.
4. Circadin® (Melatonin) Approved Australian Product Information.