Circadin® Melatonin Tablets

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What is Circadin?

Circadin is a prolonged release melatonin tablet for the short-term treatment of primary insomnia*, characterised by poor quality of sleep, in adults aged 55 years or over.
*primary insomnia is insomnia without an underlying medical cause or any other clear cause.

Each off-white round tablet contains1

  • 2mg of the active ingredient melatonin
  • Lactose (in the form lactose monohydrate)
  • Ammonio methacrylate copolymer type B, calcium hydrogen phosphate, colloidal anhydrous silica, purified talc and magnesium stearate

Circadin is now available from your local pharmacy without a prescription – your pharmacist will decide if Circadin is right for you.

How does Circadin work?

Circadin’s prolonged release formulation means that after you swallow the tablet, which should be 1-2 hours before your chosen bed time, the active ingredient (melatonin) is gradually released into your gut and slowly absorbed by your body over a period of hours,2 mimicking the body’s natural melatonin levels3,4 – which are lower during the day and higher during the night.

Once released, Circadin works by gradually releasing melatonin to increase your natural tendency to sleepiness and promote refreshing sleep – just as the release of natural melatonin produced by your body does.

Circadin is well-tolerated*4-6

  • Circadin does not affect the way you think or do things the next morning
  • There are no dependency or addiction problems or withdrawal effects when you stop using Circadin
LEARN MORE ABOUT MELATONIN
Circadin 2mg prolonged release melatonin tablets:

  • Release melatonin gradually over 8-10 hours mimicking the body’s natural patterns of melatonin secretion3
  • Decrease the time it takes to fall asleep*3
  • Improve sleep quality, morning alertness and quality of life*3,7,8

*Compared to placebo, in patients 55 years and older3,6,8

Circadin dosage

The standard recommended dose of Circadin is just one tablet (2mg melatonin) once a day. 

How and when do I take Circadin?

Circadin is most effective when taken after food, 1-2 hours before going to bed  – preferably taken at the same time each day.

Swallow your tablet whole with a full glass of water – do NOT crush, chew or divide your tablet as each Circadin tablet has been specially designed to gradually release melatonin while you sleep.

If you crush, chew or divide the tablet it will not work properly.

When is Circadin not recommended?

Circadin is not recommended1:

  • If you are sensitive/allergic to melatonin or the other ingredients in Circadin (which includes lactose monohydrate, ammonio methacrylate copolymer type B, calcium hydrogen phosphate, colloidal anhydrous silica, purified talc and magnesium stearate)
  • Before or after drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding (Circadin has not been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women)

If you have any of the following medical conditions, check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking Circadin:1

  • Liver or kidney problems
  • An autoimmune disease
  • A rare hereditary problem of galactose intolerance, the LAPP lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption

You SHOULD NOT take Circadin with certain medications including1:

  • Hypnotics and tranquilisers (e.g. benzodiazepine)
  • Fluvoxamine, thioridazine and imipramine (used to treat depression or psychiatric problems)
  • Oestrogen (used in contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy medications)
  • Cimetidine and psoralens (used to treat skin problems such as psoriasis)
  • Alcohol and caffeine

Always check with your pharmacist or doctor first before taking Circadin if you are taking any other medicines, including vitamins or supplements that you have brought without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Avoid driving or operating any machines or tools after taking Circadin.

You can find more useful information about Circadin and how to use it from the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflet.

ASK YOUR PHARMACIST – THEY MUST DECIDE IF THIS PRODUCT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please speak to a healthcare professional if you have any questions about your sleep problem or its treatment.

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References
  1. CIRCADIN® Consumer Medicine Information (CMI).
  2. Wade AG, et al. BMC Medicine. 2010;8:51. Funded by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
  3. Wade AG, et al. Curr Med Res Opin. 2007;23(10):2597-2605. Funded by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
  4. Zisapel N. Open Neuroendocrinology J. 2010;3:85-95.
  5. Luthringer R, et al. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009;24:239-249. Sponsored by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
  6. Haimov I, et al. Sleep. 1995;18(7):598-603. Funded by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
  7. CIRCADIN® Product Information. Last amended 11 November 2020.
  8. Lemoine P, et al. J Sleep Res. 2007;16:372-380. Sponsored by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
  9. Arendt J, Skene DJ. Sleep Med Rev. 2005;9:25-39. Sponsored by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.