Long-Term Impacts of Exogenous Melatonin Administration in Patients: An Integrative Review

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594182409026

• Palavras-chave: Melatonin. Long term. Adverse effects. Security. Supplementation.

• Keywords: Melatonin. Long term. Adverse effects. Security. Supplementation.

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Endogenous melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland and responsible for inducing sleep, regulating blood pressure, body temperature and antioxidant defense, with a reduction in serum levels during advancing age. Indeed, recent studies point to melatonin and melatonergic agents in the treatment of sleep disorders. Goal: The present study aims to investigate, through scientific evidence, the safety of exogenous melatonin supplementation, as well as its side effects in long-term use, in addition to better investigating its dosage. Methodology: A research on the platforms PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). The descriptors used in English were: “melatonin”, “long-term”, “adverse effects” and “safety”. Complete articles in English, Spanish or Portuguese were determined as inclusion criteria and articles that did not contain a minimum of two of the descriptors in the title were determined as exclusion criteria. Subsequently, the abstracts were read and those that answered the guiding question were selected. In total, 10 articles were selected, two of which were expanded samples. Results: In most articles, supplementation demonstrates short- and long-term effectiveness in children, adults and the elderly. The adverse events identified were not serious, with pubertal delay being the most significant to be analyzed and still with low evidence due to methodological limitations. The effects of withdrawal were not shown to be harmful. Final considerations: The exogenous use of melatonin appears safe in the long term, considering routine medical monitoring based on establishing the correct dosage, pathology and adverse events. New studies are needed to improve some results.