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Melatonin 1mg/ml Oral Solution

Active Ingredient:
Company:  
Aspire Pharma Ltd See contact details
ATC code: 
N05CH01
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About Medicine
{healthcare_pro_orange} This information is for use by healthcare professionals
Last updated on emc: 08 Nov 2024
1. Name of the medicinal product

Melatonin 1mg/mL Oral Solution

2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Each 1 mL of solution contains 1 milligram of melatonin.

Excipient with known effect:

Each millilitre of solution contains 1mg methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), see section 4.4.

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. Pharmaceutical form

Oral Solution.

Clear colourless to slightly yellow solution.

4. Clinical particulars
4.1 Therapeutic indications

Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution is indicated for:

(i) Delayed sleep wake phase disorder (DSWPD) in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years and adults up to 25 years of age, where sleep hygiene measures have been insufficient.

(ii) Short-term treatment of jet lag in adults.

(iii) Insomnia in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where sleep hygiene measures have been insufficient.

(iv) For use in short-term sedation under medical supervision for non-operating theatre diagnostic procedures such as electroencephalograms (EEG), auditory brain response (ABR) testing and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in children and adolescents from 1 to 18 years.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Delayed sleep wake phase disorder

In children and adolescents (6-17 years) and adults up to 25 years of age

Treatment should be initiated by physicians experienced in DSWPD and/or paediatric sleep medicine.

The recommended starting dose is 1 to 2 mg once a day, 1-2 hours before the fixed desired bedtime, given as 1-2 ml of the oral solution. The dose of melatonin should be adjusted individually until effective up to a maximum of 5 mg per day, independent of age. The lowest effective dose should be sought and taken for the shortest period.

After 6 weeks of treatment, the physician should evaluate the treatment effect and consider stopping treatment if no clinically relevant treatment effect is seen. In patients with significant continuing daytime sleepiness or misaligned circadian rhythm the possibility of high residual melatonin in the morning should be considered. In these cases melatonin can be stopped and restarted at a lower dose. The dose that adequately alleviates symptoms should be taken for the shortest period. There is insufficient safety data to support long term use of melatonin in children approaching puberty. After the achievement of advanced sleep-wake phase for 6 weeks, treatment should be stopped to evaluate if the patient can independently maintain an advanced sleep-wake schedule. If withdrawal of melatonin results in clinical relapse, melatonin can be resumed and continued.

Limited data are available for up to 3 years of treatment (please see section 4.4).

Adults over 25 years of age

In adults whose symptoms persist past the age of 25 and who have shown clear benefit from treatment, it may be appropriate to continue treatment. However, initiation of treatment in adults over 25 years of age is not appropriate.

Short-term treatment of jet lag in adults

The standard dose is 3mg daily for a maximum of 5 days. The dose may be increased to 6mg if the standard dose does not adequately alleviate symptoms. The dose that adequately alleviates symptoms should be taken for the shortest period.

The first dose should be taken on arrival at destination at the habitual bed-time.

Due to the potential for incorrectly timed intake of melatonin to have no effect, or an adverse effect, on resynchronisation following jet-lag, Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution should not be taken before 20:00hr or after 04:00hr at destination.

Food can enhance the increase in plasma melatonin concentration (see section 5.2). Intake of melatonin with carbohydrate-rich meals may impair blood glucose control for several hours (see section 4.4). It is recommended that food is not consumed 2h before and 2h after intake of melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution.

As alcohol can impair sleep and potentially worsen certain symptoms of jet-lag (e.g. headache, morning fatigue, concentration) it is recommended that alcohol is not consumed when taking melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution.

Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution may be taken for a maximum of 16 treatment periods per year.

Insomnia in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Treatment should be initiated by physicians experienced in ADHD and/or paediatric sleep medicine.

The recommended starting dose is 1-2 mg, 30-60 minutes before bedtime.

The dose of melatonin should be adjusted individually until effective up to a maximum of 5 mg per day, independent of age. The lowest effective dose should be sought and taken for the shortest period.

The dose that adequately alleviates symptoms should be taken for the shortest period. There is insufficient safety data to support long term use of melatonin in children approaching puberty. After at least 3 months of treatment, the physician should evaluate the treatment effect and consider stopping treatment if no clinically relevant treatment effect is seen.

The patient should be monitored at regular intervals (at least every 6 months) to check that melatonin is still the most appropriate treatment.

During ongoing treatment discontinuation attempts should be attempted regularly, e.g. once per year and treatment discontinued if it is not effective.

If the sleep disorder has started during treatment with other medicinal products, dose adjustment or switching to another product should be considered. If significant problems are seen in sleep maintenance or early morning waking, an alternative formulation of melatonin should be considered.

Limited data are available for up to 3 years of treatment (please see section 4.4).

Adults

In adolescents whose symptoms persist into adulthood and who have shown clear benefit from treatment, it may be appropriate to continue treatment into adulthood. However, initiation of treatment in adults is not appropriate.

Use for short-term sedation under medical supervision to facilitate non-operating theatre diagnostic procedures in children and adolescents from 1 to 18 years

Melatonin should be given 30-45 minutes before the anticipated start of the procedure as a single dose of 3mg for children weighing less than 15 kg and 6 mg for those weighing more than 15 kg. Where possible this dose should be administered after a period of sleep deprivation to maximise the sedative effects. One further dose at 50% of the initial dose - 1.5 mg (<15 kg) or 3 mg (>15 kg) may be given if sleep is not achieved after 45 minutes. Therefore the maximum daily dose is 4.5 mg in children weighing less than 15 kg and 9 mg for those weighing more than 15 kg.

Due to the presence of benzyl alcohol in the formulation and the risk of accumulation especially in younger children it is not recommended to perform more than one diagnostic procedure in each 24 hour period.

Elderly

As the pharmacokinetics of melatonin (immediate release) is comparable in young adults and elderly persons in general, no specific dosage recommendations for elderly persons are provided (see Section 5.2).

Renal impairment

There is only limited experience regarding the use of Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution in patients with renal impairment. Caution should be exercised if melatonin is used by patients with renal impairment.Melatonin 1mg/ml Oral Solution is not recommended for patients with severe renal impairment (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Hepatic impairment

There is no experience of the use of Melatonin 1mg/ml Oral Solution in patients with hepatic impairment. Limited data indicate that plasma clearance of melatonin is significantly reduced in patients with liver cirrhosis. Melatonin 1mg/ml Oral Solution is not recommended in patients with hepatic impairment (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Method of administration

Melatonin Oral Solution is for oral use only. A 10 ml graduated oral syringe with intermediate graduations of 0.5 ml and a “ Press-In” Bottle Adapter (PIBA) are provided with the product.

1. Open the bottle and at first use, insert the “ Press-In” Bottle Adapter (PIBA).

2. Insert the syringe into the PIBA and draw out the required volume from the inverted bottle.

3. Remove the filled syringe from the bottle in the upright position

4. Discharge the syringe contents into the mouth.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 if doses greater than 5ml are required.

6. Rinse the syringe and replace the cap on the bottle (PIBA remains in place).

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Melatonin may cause drowsiness and should be used with caution if the effects of drowsiness are likely to be associated with a risk to patient safety.

Melatonin may increase seizure frequency in patients experiencing seizures (e.g., epileptic patients). Patients suffering from seizures must be informed about this possibility before using Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution. Melatonin may promote or increase the incidence of seizures in children and adolescents with multiple neurological defects.

Occasional case reports have described exacerbation of an autoimmune disease in patients taking melatonin. There are no data regarding use of Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution in patients with autoimmune diseases. Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution is not recommended in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Limited data suggest that melatonin taken in close proximity to ingestion of carbohydrate-rich meals may impair blood glucose control for several hours. Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution should be taken at least 2 hours before or at least 2 hours after a meal; ideally at least 3 hours after meal by persons with significantly impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, Only limited data are available on the safety and efficiency of melatonin in patients with renal impairment or hepatic impairment. Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution is not recommended for use in patients suffering from severe renal impairment or moderate or severe hepatic impairment.

Melatonin may not be effective in some patients. Other treatment options should be considered in cases of inadequate response to melatonin treatment.

Melatonin 1mg/ml Oral Solution contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) as an excipient. This may cause an allergic reaction. This allergy may be a delayed reaction.

Children and Adolescents

There is insufficient data to analyse the impact of long-term exposure to melatonin in children and adolescents on the sexual maturation of this population. There are theoretical risks based on biological effects of melatonin, e.g. immunological regulation, effects on the threshold for seizures and endocrinological effects, which could affect puberty development and fertility, respectively. Therefore, treatment should be taken for the shortest period and evaluated on a regular basis (at least every 6 months) to check that melatonin is still the most appropriate treatment.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

Pharmacokinetic interactions

Melatonin is metabolised mainly by the hepatic cytochrome P450 CYP1A enzymes, primarily CYP1A2. Therefore, interactions between melatonin and other active substances as a consequence of their effect on CYP1A enzymes are possible.

• Caution is indicated in patients treated with fluvoxamine, since this agent increases melatonin levels (17-fold higher AUC and 12-fold higher serum Cmax) by inhibiting its metabolism via CYP1A2 and CYP2C19. This combination should be avoided.

• Caution is indicated in patients taking 5- or 8-methoxypsoralen (5 or 8-MOP), since this agent increases melatonin levels by inhibiting its metabolism.

• Caution is indicated in patients taking cimetidine, since this agent increases plasma melatonin levels by inhibiting its metabolism by CYP2D.

• Caution should be exercised in patients receiving estrogen therapy (e.g. in the form of contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy), since estrogens increase melatonin level by inhibiting its metabolism, primarily via inhibition of CYP1A2.

• CYP1A2 inhibitors (such as quinolones) may increase systemic melatonin levels.

• CYP1A2 inducers (such as carbamazepine and rifampicin) may reduce plasma concentrations of melatonin.

• Cigarette smoking may decrease melatonin levels due to induction of CYP1A2.

Pharmacodynamic interactions

• Melatonin may enhance the sedative effect of benzodiazepines (e.g. midazolam, temazepam) and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (e.g. zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone). In a study of jet-lag therapy the combination of melatonin and zolpidem resulted in a higher incidence of morning sleepiness, nausea, and confusion, and reduced activity during the first hour after getting up, compared to zolpidem alone.

• Melatonin may affect the anticoagulation activity of warfarin.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

No clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available for melatonin. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect adverse effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonic/foetal development, birth or postnatal development (see section 5.3). Given the lack of clinical data, use in pregnant women and by women intending to become pregnant is not recommended.

Breast-feeding

Endogenous melatonin is found in human breast thus it can be assumed that melatonin is secreted in human milk. There are data in animal models including rodents, sheep, bovine and primates that indicate maternal transfer of melatonin to the foetus via the placenta or breast milk. A risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded. Therefore, the use of melatonin in women who are breast-feeding is not recommended.

Fertility

High doses of melatonin and use for longer periods than indicated may compromise fertility in humans. Animal studies are insufficient with respect to effects on fertility (see Section 5.3). Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution is not recommended in women and men planning pregnancy.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Melatonin has a moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Melatonin may cause drowsiness and may decrease alertness for several hours, therefore use of Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution is not recommended prior to driving and using machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

Drowsiness/sleepiness, headache, and dizziness/ disorientation are the most frequently reported adverse effects when melatonin is taken on a short-term basis to treat jet-lag. Drowsiness, headache, dizziness and nausea are also the adverse effects reported most frequently when typical clinical doses of melatonin have been taken for periods of several days to several weeks by healthy persons and patients.

The following adverse reactions to melatonin in general have been reported in clinical trials or spontaneous case reports. Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Very common (≥ 1/10); Common (≥ 1/100 to <1/10); Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to <1/100); Rare (≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1,000); Very rare (<1/10,000); Not known (cannot be established from the available data).

System Organ Class

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Not known: (Cannot be established from the available data)

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reaction

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Hypertriglyceridaemia,

hyperglycaemia

Psychiatric disorders

Irritability, nervousness, restlessness, abnormal dreams, anxiety

Mood alteration, aggressive behaviour, disorientation, libido increased,

Nervous system disorders

Headache, somnolence

dizziness

Syncope (fainting), memory impairment, restless legs syndrome, paraesthesia

Eye disorders

Visual acuity reduced, vision blurred, lacrimation increased

Cardiac disorders

palpitations

Vascular disorders

Hypertension

Hot flush

Gastrointestinal disorders

Abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, dyspepsia, mouth ulceration, dry mouth, nausea

vomiting, flatulence, salivary hypersecretion, halitosis, gastritis

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

pruritus, rash, dry skin

nail disorder

tongue oedema, oedema of oral mucosa

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Arthritis, muscle spasms

Renal and urinary disorders

Glycosuria, proteinuria

Polyuria, haematuria

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Priapism, prostatitis

galactorrhoea

General disorders and administration site conditions

chest pain, malaise

thirst

Investigations

weight increased

blood electrolytes abnormal,

Paediatric population

A low frequency of in general mild adverse reactions have been reported in the paediatric population. The number of adverse reactions has not differed significantly between children who have received placebo compared to melatonin. The most common adverse reactions were dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms and increased excitability. No serious adverse reactions have been observed when high quality synthetic melatonin was given together with the currently recommended posology.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App store.

4.9 Overdose

Drowsiness, headache, dizziness and nausea are the most commonly reported signs and symptoms or overdose with oral melatonin.

Administration of daily doses of up to 300mg of melatonin without causing clinically significant adverse reactions have been reported in the literature.

Flushes, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, headache, and scotoma lucidum have been reported after ingestion of extremely high melatonin doses (3000mg-6600mg) for several weeks.

General supportive measures should be employed. Gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal can be considered.

Clearance of the active substance is expected within 12 hours after ingestion although prolonged residual systemic melatonin could be seen in slow metabolisers of melatonin.

5. Pharmacological properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Hypnotics and sedatives, melatonin receptor agonists, ATC Code: N05CH01

Melatonin is a hormone and antioxidant. Melatonin secreted by the pineal gland is involved in the synchronisation of circadian rhythms to the diurnal light-dark cycle. . Melatonin secretion/ plasma melatonin level increases shortly after the onset of darkness, peaks at 2-4 am and declines to the daytime nadir by dawn. Peak melatonin secretion is almost diametrically opposite peak daylight intensity, with daylight being the primary stimulus for maintaining the circadian rhythmicity of melatonin secretion.

Mechanism of action

The pharmacological mechanism of action in melatonin is believed to be based on its interaction with MT1, MT2 and MT3 receptors, as these receptors (mainly MT1 and MT2) are involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms and sleep regulation in general.

Pharmacodynamic effects

Melatonin has a hypnotic/ sedative effect and increased propensity for sleep. Melatonin administered earlier or later than the nocturnal peak in melatonin secretion can, respectively, advance or delay the circadian rhythmicity of melatonin secretion. Administration of melatonin at bedtime (bedtime 22:00 and 24:00hr) at destination following rapid transmeridian travel (aircraft flight) hastens resynchronisation of circadian rhythmicity from 'departure time' to 'destination time' and ameliorates the collection of symptoms known as jet-lag that are a consequence of such de-synchronisation.

Clinical efficacy and safety

Delayed sleep wake phase disorder (DSWPD) in children, adolescents and young adults aged 6-25 years, where sleep hygiene measures have been insufficient.

The 4 pivotal studies included 308 subjects with an age range of 6-65 years. A clinically and statistically significant improvement in sleep onset times or sleep onset latency were reported in the melatonin treatment groups when compared to placebo (Saxvig 2014, 25 minute improvement p=0.013; Sletten 2018, 44 minute improvement p<0.001; Van Geijlswijk 2010 a >30 min improvement, p<0.001; Van Maanen 2017a a 44 minute improvement p<0.01). Similar effects were seen for dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) a marker of circadian rhythmicity.

Short-term treatment of jet lag in adults.

Typical symptoms of jet-lag are sleep disturbances and daytime tiredness and fatigue, though mild cognitive impairment, irritability, and gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur.

Jet-lag is worse the more time-zones crossed and is typically worse following eastward travel as people generally find it harder to advance their circadian rhythm (body clock) than to delay it, as required following westward travel.

Clinical trials found that melatonin, taken close to the target bedtime at the destination (10 pm to midnight), decreased jet lag from flights crossing five or more time zones. The benefit is likely to be greater the more time zones are crossed, and less for westward flights. Daily doses of melatonin between 0.5 and 5 mg are similarly effective, except that people fall asleep faster and sleep better after 5 mg than 0.5 mg.

Clinical trials have found melatonin to reduce patient-assessed overall symptoms of jet-lag by ~44%, and to shorten the duration of jet-lag (Petrie 1993). In 2 studies of flights over 12 time zones melatonin effectively reduce the duration of jet-lag by ~33% (Petrie 1989, Cardinali 2002). Due to the potential for incorrectly timed intake of melatonin to have no effect, or an adverse effect, on re-synchronisation of circadian rhythmicity / jet-lag, melatonin should not be taken before 20:00 hr or after 04:00 hr at destination.

Insomnia in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where sleep hygiene measures have been insufficient.

Melatonin advanced sleep onset by 26.9 ± 47.8 minutes, compared to a delay of 10.5 ± 37.4 minutes with placebo (p < 0.0001) in a 4-week randomised, double-blind, placebo- controlled study conducted in 105 stimulant-free children of 6 to 12 years, with ADHD and chronic sleep onset insomnia (van der Heijden 2007). In the melatonin group an advance of sleep onset >30 minutes was more common (48.8% of children) than in those who received placebo (12.8%, p = 0.001). There was an increase in mean total time asleep of 19.8 ± 61.9 minutes with melatonin and a decrease of 13.6 ± 50.6 minutes with placebo (p = 0.01). As compared with placebo, the melatonin group showed a decrease in sleep latency (p = 0.001) and increase in sleep efficiency (p = 0.01). The mean score on sleep log item difficulty falling asleep decreased by 1.2 ± 1.3 points (35.3% of baseline) with melatonin and by 0.1 ± 0.8 points (4.3% of baseline) with placebo (p < 0.0001). There was no significant effect on behaviour, cognition, and quality of life.

Single use for short-term sedation under medical supervision to facilitate electroencephalograms in children and adolescents.

In 3 clinical studies across 636 children up to 18 years of age, melatonin was effective in ensuring that the sleep EEG could be completed (Melatonin 89.4% versus Triclofos 91.2%, Lalwani 2021; Melatonin 73.3% versus Midazolam 36.7% Fallah 2014). An augmentation dose of melatonin was needed in up to 25.4% of patients.

Safety in all indications

Adverse effects associated with melatonin use in clinical studies involving melatonin doses of 0.5 to 12 mg were typically mild. Transient drowsiness / sedation, headache, dizziness / disorientation and gastrointestinal disorders were the most common events.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Melatonin is a small, amphiphilic molecule (molecular wight 232g/mol) active in its parent form. Melatonin is synthesised in the human body from tryptophan via serotonin. Small quantities are obtained via diet. Data summarised below are from studies that generally involved healthy men and women, primarily young and middle-aged adults.

Absorption

Orally administered melatonin is almost completely absorbed. Oral bioavailability is ~ 15%, owing to the first-pass metabolism of ~85%. Plasma Tmax is ~ 50 minutes. A 3 mg dose of immediate- release melatonin raises plasma melatonin Cmax to ~ 3400 pg/mL, which is ~ 60-times the nocturnal (endogenous) plasma melatonin Cmax, though both endogenous- and exogenous Cmax show considerable inter-individual variation.

Data on the effect of intake of food at or around the time of intake of melatonin on its pharmacokinetics are limited, though suggest that concomitant food intake may increase bioavailability almost 2-fold. Food appears to have a limited effect on Tmax for immediate-release melatonin. This is not expected to affect the efficacy or safety of Melatonin 1mg/ml oral solution, however, it is recommended that food is not consumed approximately 2 h before and 2 h after intake of melatonin.

Distribution

The protein binding of melatonin is approximately 50 – 60%. Melatonin primarily binds to albumin, though also binds alpha1-acid glycoprotein; binding to other plasma proteins is limited. Melatonin rapidly distributes from the plasma into and out of most tissues and organ, and readily crosses the brain-blood barrier. Melatonin readily crosses the placenta. The level in umbilical blood of full-term babies closely correlates with, and is only slightly lower (~ 15 – 35%) than, that of their mother following ingestion of a 3 mg dose.

Metabolism

Melatonin is mainly metabolised by the liver. Experimental data suggest that the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 are primarily responsible for melatonin metabolism, with CYP2C19 of minor importance. Melatonin is primarily metabolised to 6-hydroxymelatonin (constituting ~ 80 – 90% of melatonin metabolites recovered in the urine). N-acetylserotonin appears to be the primary minor metabolite (constituting ~ 10% of melatonin metabolites recovered in the urine). Melatonin metabolism is very rapid, with plasma 6-hydroxymelatonin level rising within minutes of exogenous melatonin entering the systemic circulation. 6-hydroxymelatonin undergoes sulphate conjugation (~ 70%) and glucuronide conjugation (~ 30%) prior to excretion.

Elimination

Plasma elimination half-life (T½ ) is ~ 45 minutes (normal range ~ 30 – 60 minutes) in healthy adults. Melatonin metabolites are mainly eliminated by the urine, ~ 90% as sulphate and glucuronide conjugates of 6-hydroxymelatonin. Less than ~ 1% of a melatonin dose is excreted unchanged in urine.

Linearity

Plasma melatonin Cmax and AUC increase in a directly proportional, linear manner for oral doses or immediate-release melatonin in the range of 3-6mg whereas Tmax and plasma T1/2 remain constant.

Gender

Limited data suggest that Cmax and AUC following ingestion of immediate-release melatonin may be higher (potentially roughly double) in women compared to men, however a large variability in the pharmacokinetics is observed. Plasma melatonin half-life does not appear to be significantly different in men and women.

Special Populations

Elderly

Night-time endogenous melatonin plasma concentration is lower in the elderly compared to young adults. Limited data for plasma- Tmax, Cmax, elimination half-life (T½ ), and AUC following ingestion of immediate-release melatonin do not indicate significant differences between younger adults and elderly persons in general, though the range of values (inter-individual variability) for each parameter tend to be greater in the elderly.

Renal Impairment

Literature data indicate that there is no accumulation of melatonin after repeated dosing (3 mg for 5 – 11 weeks) in patients on stable haemodialysis. However, as melatonin is primarily excreted as metabolites in the urine, plasma levels of melatonin metabolites can be expected increase in patients with more advanced renal impairment..

Hepatic Impairment

Limited data indicate that daytime endogenous blood melatonin concentration is markedly elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis, probably due to reduced clearance (metabolism) of melatonin. Serum T½ for exogenous melatonin in cirrhosis patients was double that of controls in a small study. As the liver is the primary site of melatonin metabolism, hepatic impairment can be expected to result in increased exposure to exogenous melatonin.

Genetic polymorphisms of CYP enzymes and other slow metabolisers

Polymorphisms in CYP1A2, CYP1A1 and CYP2C19 may affect first pass metabolism and systemic clearance of melatonin contributing to interindividual variability. In cases where there is excessive morning sleepiness, a lack of effect on DLMO and / or advancing sleep phase the possibility of impaired melatonin clearance, too high a dose, or too late a time of administration should be considered.

Patients with comorbid medical conditions including psychiatric disorders

Optimal management of these conditions often improves sleep; however, insomnia may persist even with resolution of the medical condition or with partial, but maximal, medical management. As bidirectional relationships exist among many medical conditions and insomnia, addressing insomnia may improve both the patient's medical status and their quality of life. Consideration should be given to managing insomnia in certain patients where clinically appropriate.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Non-clinical data revealed no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, single and repeated dose toxicity, mutagenicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential.

Effects were observed only at exposures considered sufficiently in excess of the maximum human exposure indicating little relevance to clinical use.

After intra-peritoneal administration of a single, large dose of melatonin to pregnant mice, fetal body-weight and length tended to be lower, possibly due to maternal toxicity. Delay in sexual maturation in male and female offspring of the rat and ground squirrel occurred upon exposure to melatonin during pregnancy and post-partum. These data indicate that exogenous melatonin crosses the placenta and is secreted in milk, and that it may influence the ontogeny and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. As the rat and ground squirrel are seasonal breeders, the implications of these findings for humans uncertain.

6. Pharmaceutical particulars
6.1 List of excipients

Methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218)

Potassium sorbate (E202)

Hydrochloric acid (E507) (to adjust pH)

Glycerol (E422)

Purified water

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable

6.3 Shelf life

18 months.

After first opening, the oral solution should be used within 2 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25° C. Store in the original bottle and keep bottle in the outer carton in order to protect from light. Keep upright.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

The product is supplied in a 150 mL, amber, type III glass bottle safely closed with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) child-resistant closure and tamper-evident screw cap. A low-density polyethylene (LDPE), CE marked 10 ml graduated oral syringe with intermediate graduations of 0.5 ml, and an LDPE CE marked “ press in” syringe/bottle adaptor are also provided.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special requirements for disposal. Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7. Marketing authorisation holder

Aspire Pharma Limited

Unit 4, Rotherbrook Court

Bedford Road

Petersfield

Hampshire

GU32 3QG

United Kingdom

8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

PLGB 35533/0301

9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

27/07/2023

10. Date of revision of the text

28/10/2024

Aspire Pharma Ltd
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