Four tiny hands, 85 melatonin gummies and two mouths full of trouble: This is the story of two curious 3-year-old cousins who were up past their bedtime cruising the kitchen for some late-night snacks. When they found a big bottle of gummies, they went for it. Little did they know those seemingly delicious candies were actually melatonin supplements their parents accidentally left on the kitchen counter. Eating 85 of the sleep aids between the two of them could have turned into a parent’s worst nightmare. Thankfully, both boys were unharmed from their late-night adventure. They were a bit irritable and a little drowsy, but that was it.

While this story has a happy ending, it’s an important reminder of a common exposure handled multiple times a day at the Illinois Poison Center. This blog post covers what you need to know about melatonin so you can protect the curious little ones in your life.

Melatonin Supplements Can Look Like Candy

Melatonin is a hormone that our bodies produce naturally to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Adults use melatonin supplements to combat insomnia and sometimes give them to children for sleep issues. Melatonin supplements come in a wide variety of forms, from gummies and chocolates to liquid drops and teas. All forms have gained popularity because of their tasty flavors such as cherry, strawberry and grape. However, young children can easily mistake melatonin gummies and chocolates for candy.

Child Overdose Cases Are Up

Accidental melatonin overdose in children can happen more easily than you might think. In 2021, melatonin accounted for almost 5% of all pediatric ingestions reported to U.S. poison centers. Cases have increased by 530% from 2012 to 2021. The potential toxicity of melatonin in children is a concern that has garnered increasing attention. While the case of two 3-year-old boys had no long-lasting harm, excessive melatonin consumption in children can have side effects such as drowsiness. An analysis of data from U.S. poison centers from 2012-2021 identified 260,435 cases of single-substance melatonin exposure. Drowsiness was the most common adverse effect, occurring in 81% of cases that had symptoms. However, no effects were seen in 84% of all reported exposures.

Watch for Effects on Children

Despite the overwhelming data showing melatonin gummies are safe and have relatively minor side effects in overdose, not all products are the same. As an over-the-counter supplement, melatonin is not subject to the same rigorous regulations as prescription drugs. This means their safety, effectiveness and quality are not as closely monitored by health authorities.

A 2017 Canadian study reported that 71% of melatonin supplements sold in Ontario, Canada, contained doses different than the label amounts. The same study found significant sample variability in melatonin content between different lots of the same product—separate batches made at the same time—with melatonin content varying by as much as 465% between lots of the same product.

In addition, this same study showed that serotonin, a potent neurotransmitter and a precursor of melatonin, was found in 26% of supplements. It’s important to remain vigilant in watching the effect of melatonin on young children, as the dosage and ingredients listed on the bottle may not accurately reflect what’s in the product.

Call Your Local Poison Center

If you suspect that your child has ingested melatonin, call your regional poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Expert nurses and pharmacists will ask for details about the quantity and type of melatonin ingested, your child’s age, and any symptoms they may be experiencing.

Poison Prevention Strategies

To keep children safe, follow these prevention tips:

• Store all medications, supplements and vitamins out of children’s reach and in locked child-resistant containers.
• Consider using locks on cabinets where these items are kept.
• Teach kids from an early age that medication and supplements are not candy and should never be consumed without parental supervision.

Any time your local poison center gets a call we’re hoping for a happy ending, just like the two boys had despite eating dozens of melatonin supplements. Gummy and other sweetened medication products continue to rise in popularity. We encourage parents to be in the driver’s seat: prioritize education, safe storage and responsible usage to protect your children. Click here for a free Safety Packet from the Illinois Poison Center (contains: sticker, magnet and first-aid recommendations for a poisoning exposure).