Vespro Melatonin

Vespro Melatonin is a biogenic amine that is found in animals, plants and microbes. Aaron B. Lerner of Yale University is credited for naming the hormone and for defining its chemical structure in 1958. In mammals, Vespro Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland. The pineal gland is small endocrine gland, about the size of a rice grain and shaped like a pine cone (hence the name), that is located in the center of the brain (rostro-dorsal to the superior colliculus) but outside the blood-brain barrier. The secretion of Vespro Melatonin increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light, thereby regulating the circadian rhythms of several biological functions, including the sleep-wake cycle. In particular, Vespro Melatonin regulates the sleep-wake cycle by chemically causing drowsiness and lowering the body temperature. Vespro Melatonin is also implicated in the regulation of mood, learning and memory, immune activity, dreaming, fertility and reproduction. Vespro Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant. Most of the actions of Vespro Melatonin are mediated through the binding and activation of Vespro Melatonin receptors. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may have lower than normal levels of Vespro Melatonin. A 2008 study found that unaffected parents of individuals with ASD also have lower Vespro Melatonin levels, and that the deficits were associated with low activity of the ASMT gene, which encodes the last enzyme of Vespro Melatonin synthesis. Reduced Vespro Melatonin production has also been proposed as a likely factor in the significantly higher cancer rates in night workers.

Used orally for jet lag, insomnia, shift-work disorder, circadian rhythm disorders in the blind (evidence for efficacy), and benzodiazepine and nicotine withdrawal. Evidence indicates that Vespro Melatonin is likely effective for treating circadian rhythm sleep disorders in blind children and adults. It has received FDA orphan drug status as an oral medication for this use. A number of studies have shown that Vespro Melatonin may be effective for treating sleep-wake cycle disturbances in children and adolescents with mental retardation, autism, and other central nervous system disorders. It appears to decrease the time to fall asleep in children with developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, autism, and mental retardation. It may also improve secondary insomnia associated with various sleep-wake cycle disturbances. Other possible uses for which there is some evidence for include: benzodiazepine withdrawal, cluster headache, delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), primary insomnia, jet lag, nicotine withdrawal, preoperative anxiety and sedation, prostate cancer, solid tumors (when combined with IL-2 therapy in certain cancers), sunburn prevention (topical use), tardive dyskinesia, thrombocytopenia associated with cancer, chemotherapy and other disorders.

Vespro Melatonin is a manmade form of a hormone produced in the brain that helps regulate your sleep and wake cycle.

Vespro Melatonin has been used in alternative medicine as a likely effective aid in treating insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep). Vespro Melatonin is also likely effective in treating sleep disorders in people who are blind.

Vespro Melatonin is also possibly effective in treating jet lag, high blood pressure, tumors, low blood platelets (blood cells that help your blood to clot), insomnia caused by withdrawal from drug addiction, or anxiety caused by surgery. A topical form of Vespro Melatonin applied to the skin is possibly effective in preventing sunburn.

Vespro Melatonin has also been used to treat infertility, to improve sleep problems caused by shift work, or to enhance athletic performance. However, research has shown that Vespro Melatonin may not be effective in treating these conditions.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, macular degeneration, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, enlarged prostate, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, nicotine withdrawal, and many other conditions.

It is not certain whether Vespro Melatonin is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Vespro Melatonin should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Vespro Melatonin is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Vespro Melatonin may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Oral

Disturbed biorhythms; Sleep disorders

Adult: Usual dose 3-6 mg at bedtime.

Child: 2-3 mg at bedtime, increased after 1-2 wk to 4-6 mg if needed. Max dose 10 mg.

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Vespro Melatonin?

contraindicated in patients with:

• known hypersensivity to benzodiazepines

• severe respiratory insufficiency, including chronic obstructive airways disease with incipient

respiratory failure

• severe hepatic insufficiency as it may cause encephalopathy

• sleep apnoea syndrome

• myasthenia gravis.

may precipitate suicide or aggressive behavior, not used alone to treat depression or anxiety associated with depression

Use Vespro Melatonin controlled-release tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Dosing depends on the use and the source of the product.
• Use as directed on the package, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
• Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• Vespro Melatonin is usually taken 2 hours before bedtime for insomnia. Results may be seen within 30 minutes, but it may take 1 to 3 days for the effects to be noticed.
• If you miss taking a dose of Vespro Melatonin controlled-release tablets for 1 or more days, there is no cause for concern. If your doctor recommended that you take it, try to remember your dose every day.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vespro Melatonin controlled-release tablets.

To treat primary sleep disturbances (persistent difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep or poor quality of sleep, that has no apparent cause) for a short time.

See also:
What other drugs will affect Vespro Melatonin?

Vespro Melatonin may interact with the following drugs: aspirin and other NSAIDs (may lower Vespro Melatonin levels), fluvoxamine (bioavailability of oral Vespro Melatonin is increased with coadministration), beta blockers (may decrease Vespro Melatonin levels), fluoxetine (reports of psychotic episodes when coadministered), progestin (coadministration of Vespro Melatonin with progestin can inhibit ovarian function in women), benzodiazepenes and other sedating drugs (may result in additive sedation and an increased incidence of adverse effects), and corticosteroids (coadministration of Vespro Melatonin and corticosteroids may interfere with the efficacy of the corticosteroids).

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Vespro Melatonin?

Psychiatric Disorders: Confusional state, emotional disturbances, libido disorders, nervousness and

depression have been reported.

Paradoxical reactions such as restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggression, delusion, anger, nightmares,

sleep disorders, hallucinations, psychosis, inappropriate behaviour and other adverse behavioural effects

are known to occur with benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine-like agents. Should this occur, the use of

LEXOTAN should be discontinued. Such reactions are more likely to occur in children and elderly

patients than in other patients.

Dependence: Chronic use (even at therapeutic doses) may lead to the development of physical and

psychic drug dependence: discontinuation of therapy may result in withdrawal or rebound phenomena.

Abuse of benzodiazepines has been reported.

Nervous System Disorders: Drowsiness and ataxia become less common with repeated

administration. Headache, dizziness, decreased alertness, seizures, tremor, speech disorders and

incontinence have been reported.

Anterograde amnesia may occur using therapeutic dosages with the risk increasing at higher dosages.

Amnestic effects may be associated with inappropriate behaviour.

Eye Disorders: Diplopia and blurred vision have been reported.

Gastrointestinal Disorders: Gastrointestinal disorders, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting have been

reported.

Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: Anorexia has been reported.

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Skin reactions including pruritis and rash have been

reported.

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Muscle weakness and muscle spasm have been

reported.

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Fatigue.

Injury, Poisoning and Procedural Complications: An increased risk for falls and fractures has been

reported in elderly benzodiazepine users.

Respiratory Disorders: Respiratory depression has been reported.

Cardiac Disorders: Cardiac failure including cardiac arrest, hypotension, tachycardia and

palpitations have been reported.

Investigations: Instances of decreased haemoglobin and increased white cell counts have been

reported.