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Circadin 2mg Prolonged Release Tablet

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Circadin is a prescription medication that contains melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It is primarily used to treat insomnia, particularly in adults aged 55 and older, by helping to improve sleep onset, quality, and duration. Circadin is designed to release melatonin gradually over time, mimicking the body’s natural production of the hormone, making it easier to fall asleep and maintain restful sleep. It is typically prescribed for short-term use and is taken once daily, usually 1-2 hours before bedtime.

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Circadin 2mg Prolonged Realease Tablet
SKU: CIRC2 Category: Tags: ,

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1 x 30 tablets, 2 x 30 tablets

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Overview

Active ingredients

What is it for?

How does it work?

How do you use it?

Warnings and precautions

Side effects

Drug interactions

FAQs

Download patent leaflet

Written By
Shazlee Ahsan
BSc Pharmacy, Independent Prescriber, PgDip Endocrinology, MSc Endocrinology, PgDip Infectious Diseases

Superintendant Pharmacist, Independent Prescriber


Checked By
Dr Sarah Thornton
MbChB, Coaching Academy diploma with distinction

GP, Medical coach


What is Circadin?

The active ingredient in Circadin is melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the body. Melatonin plays a key role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, helping to signal to your body when it’s time to sleep.

Circadin is a prescription medication that contains melatonin. It is used to help manage sleep disorders, particularly in adults aged 55 and older, by improving the onset and quality of sleep.

What is the active ingredient in Circadin?

Each prolonged-release tablet contains 2 mg melatonin.

What is Circadin used for?

Circadin is used as a standalone treatment for short-term management of primary insomnia in patients aged 55 and older. Primary insomnia refers to persistent difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing poor quality sleep without any identifiable cause, such as medical, psychological, or environmental factors.

How does Circadin work?

Circadin works by releasing melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland in the brain, which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. In people with primary insomnia, melatonin levels may be lower or not released at the right times, leading to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Circadin provides a controlled release of melatonin, mimicking the body’s natural production, which helps signal to the brain that it's time to sleep. This helps improve the onset, quality, and duration of sleep, particularly in individuals aged 55 and older.

How do you use Circadin?

Always use this medication exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are uncertain, consult your doctor or pharmacist for clarification.

The recommended dosage is one Circadin tablet (2 mg) taken orally each day, after food, 1-2 hours before bedtime. This dosage can be continued for up to thirteen weeks. Swallow the tablet whole—do not crush or split it.

If you take more Circadin than prescribed: If you accidentally take more than the recommended dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Exceeding the recommended dose may cause increased drowsiness.

If you forget to take Circadin: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember before going to sleep, or skip it if it's close to your next scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

If you stop taking Circadin: There are no known harmful effects if you stop treatment or discontinue it earlier than planned. Circadin does not cause withdrawal symptoms after the treatment period ends.

If you have any further questions about using this medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Who should not use Circadin?

Do not take Circadin:
  • If you are allergic to melatonin or any of the other ingredients in this medication, please refer to the patient infromation leaflet.
Warnings and precautions: Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using Circadin if:
  • You have liver or kidney problems. Since no studies have been conducted on the use of Circadin in individuals with liver or kidney diseases, it is not recommended unless advised by your doctor.
  • You have been informed by your doctor that you have an intolerance to certain sugars.
  • You have an autoimmune disease (where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues). As Circadin has not been studied in individuals with autoimmune conditions, it is not recommended without consulting your doctor.
  • Circadin can cause drowsiness, so be cautious if this affects your ability to perform tasks like driving.
  • Smoking may reduce the effectiveness of Circadin, as tobacco smoke can increase the breakdown of melatonin by the liver.
Children and adolescents:
  • Do not administer Circadin to children or adolescents aged 0 to 18 years, as it has not been tested in this age group and its effects are unknown. Other melatonin-containing medications may be more suitable for children aged 2 to 18 years; consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Other medicines and Circadin: Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently taking, have recently taken, or may take any other medications. These include:
  • Fluvoxamine (for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder), psoralens (for skin disorders like psoriasis), cimetidine (for stomach issues such as ulcers), quinolones and rifampicin (for bacterial infections), estrogens (in contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy), and carbamazepine (for epilepsy).
  • Adrenergic agonists/antagonists (such as certain blood pressure medications and nasal decongestants), opiate agonists/antagonists (for treating drug addiction), prostaglandin inhibitors (like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), antidepressants, tryptophan, and alcohol.
  • Benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (sleep-inducing medications like zaleplon, zolpidem, and zopiclone).
  • Thioridazine (for schizophrenia) and imipramine (for depression).
Circadin with food, drink, and alcohol:
  • Take Circadin after meals. Avoid alcohol before, during, and after taking Circadin, as it reduces the medication's effectiveness.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
  • Do not take Circadin if you are pregnant, suspect you may be pregnant, are trying to conceive, or are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medication.
Driving and using machines:
  • Circadin may cause drowsiness. If affected, you should not drive or operate machinery. If drowsiness persists, consult your doctor.
Circadin contains lactose monohydrate:
  • If your doctor has informed you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, contact them before using this medication.

What are the side effects of Circadin?

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. If you encounter any of the following serious side effects, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately:

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

  • Chest pain

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

  • Loss of consciousness or fainting
  • Severe chest pain due to angina
  • Palpitations (feeling your heartbeat)
  • Depression
  • Visual impairment or blurred vision
  • Disorientation
  • Vertigo (a sensation of dizziness or spinning)
  • Presence of red blood cells in the urine
  • Reduced white blood cell count
  • Reduced blood platelets, increasing the risk of bleeding or bruising
  • Psoriasis

If you experience any of the following non-serious side effects, contact your doctor or seek medical advice:

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

  • Irritability, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, abnormal dreams, nightmares, anxiety
  • Migraine, headache, lethargy, restlessness with increased activity, dizziness, tiredness
  • High blood pressure, upper abdominal pain, indigestion, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, nausea
  • Changes in blood composition, possibly causing yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • Skin inflammation, night sweats, itching, rash, dry skin, pain in extremities, menopausal symptoms
  • Weakness, glucose in the urine, excess proteins in the urine, abnormal liver function, weight gain

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

  • Shingles, high blood fat levels, low calcium levels, low sodium levels
  • Mood changes, aggression, agitation, crying, stress symptoms, early morning awakening, increased sex drive, depressed mood, memory impairment
  • Attention disturbance, dreamy state, restless legs syndrome, poor quality sleep, ‘pins and needles’ sensation
  • Watery eyes, dizziness when standing or sitting, hot flushes, acid reflux, stomach upset, vomiting
  • Abnormal bowel sounds, wind, excess saliva, bad breath, abdominal discomfort, gastric disorder, inflammation of the stomach lining
  • Eczema, skin rash, hand dermatitis, itchy rash, nail disorder
  • Arthritis, muscle spasms, neck pain, night cramps, prolonged and possibly painful erection, inflammation of the prostate gland
  • Fatigue, pain, thirst, passing large volumes of urine, nighttime urination, increased liver enzymes, abnormal blood electrolytes, abnormal laboratory tests

Frequency not known (cannot be established from the available data):

  • Hypersensitivity reactions, swelling of the mouth or tongue, skin swelling, and abnormal milk secretion

Reporting of side effects: If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or by searching for "MHRA Yellow Card" in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Does Circadin interact with other medicines?

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently taking, have recently taken, or may take any other medications. These include:

  • Fluvoxamine (used for treating depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder), psoralens (for skin conditions like psoriasis), cimetidine (for stomach issues such as ulcers), quinolones and rifampicin (for bacterial infections), estrogens (used in contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy), and carbamazepine (used for epilepsy).
  • Adrenergic agonists/antagonists (such as medications for controlling blood pressure, nasal decongestants, or blood pressure-lowering medicines), opiate agonists/antagonists (used in the treatment of drug addiction), prostaglandin inhibitors (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), antidepressants, tryptophan, and alcohol.
  • Benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (sleep-inducing medications like zaleplon, zolpidem, and zopiclone).
  • Thioridazine (for treating schizophrenia) and imipramine (for treating depression).

Circadin FAQs

What is Circadin?

Circadin is a prescription medication containing melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. It is primarily used to treat insomnia in adults aged 55 and older.

How does Circadin work?

Circadin works by providing melatonin, which helps signal to your brain that it's time to sleep. It aids in improving the onset, quality, and duration of sleep, especially in individuals with low melatonin levels.

Who can take Circadin?

Circadin is typically prescribed for adults aged 55 and older who suffer from primary insomnia, which is characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep without any underlying medical or environmental cause.

How should Circadin be taken?

The recommended dosage is one 2 mg tablet taken daily, 1-2 hours before bedtime, after food. The tablet should be swallowed whole, without crushing or splitting.

Can Circadin be used long-term?

Circadin is generally recommended for short-term use, up to 13 weeks. If sleep problems persist after this period, consult your doctor for further advice.

Are there any side effects of taking Circadin?

Common side effects include drowsiness, headaches, and dizziness. More serious side effects are rare but may include chest pain, visual disturbances, and low blood pressure. If you experience any severe side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

Can Circadin be taken with other medications?

Circadin may interact with other medications, such as antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, and certain antibiotics. It is important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking before starting Circadin.

Can I drink alcohol while taking Circadin?

It is advised not to drink alcohol while taking Circadin, as alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of the medication and increase the risk of side effects like drowsiness.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Circadin?

If you forget to take a dose of Circadin, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is close to your next scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

Is Circadin suitable for children or adolescents?

Circadin is not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years of age, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established in this age group.

Download patient leaflet

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2809.pdf

Checked By
Dr Sarah Thornton
MbChB, Coaching Academy diploma with distinction

GP, Medical coach


Written By
Shazlee Ahsan
BSc Pharmacy, Independent Prescriber, PgDip Endocrinology, MSc Endocrinology, PgDip Infectious Diseases

Superintendant Pharmacist, Independent Prescriber


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