In their Health Product InfoWatch for March, Health Canada provided an updated review of melatonin and its potential for adverse reactions in children and teenagers. In the article Health Canada states, “Recent international reports of neurological adverse reactions (e.g., anxiety, panic reactions, visual hallucinations and seizures) suspected of being associated with the use of melatonin in children and adolescents have been brought to Health Canada’s attention by foreign regulators.”
Over 500 products containing melatonin have already been issued an NPN for sale to adults and children in Canada. Before any retailers or consumers panic, the review also states, “Based on current evidence, a relationship between the pediatric use of melatonin and the occurrence of neurological adverse reactions such as seizures could not be established.”
Health Canada’s own safety review conducted in December 2015 decided there was limited or conflicting data available leading them to issue only a warning “encouraging parents and caregivers to consult a healthcare professional before giving any natural health products containing melatonin to this age group [under age 18], especially if they have serious medical conditions like hormonal, brain, heart, liver, or kidney diseases.”
Health Canada reports they will continue to monitor melatonin for safety information related to its use in the general pediatric population.
