A good night’s sleep is important for your health, but many people struggle with sleep disorders and occasional sleep disturbances. If you’re looking for help, your doctor might suggest sleep aids like melatonin or ramelteon.
This article offers a comparison of melatonin and ramelteon to help you understand the differences between these two options.
Understanding Melatonin
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone that your body naturally produces to regulate your sleep-wake cycles. It’s made by the pineal gland when it gets dark outside. You can also buy melatonin as an over-the-counter supplement without a prescription.
Common Uses
Most people use melatonin to combat jet lag or to treat mild insomnia, especially to get their sleep schedule back on track after traveling across time zones. It can also help people who have trouble falling asleep at a typical bedtime.
User Ratings and Interactions
On Drugs.com, melatonin has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10. About 45% of users reported a positive effect, while 36% reported a negative effect.
Melatonin is known to interact with 339 other drugs, so be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions.
What about ramelteon?
What is it?
Ramelteon (Rozerem) is a prescription-only drug that’s designed to act like melatonin in your brain. It’s called a melatonin receptor agonist, meaning it binds to melatonin receptors to encourage sleep.
Unlike some other sleep aids, ramelteon isn’t a controlled substance, meaning it isn’t considered addictive and doesn’t carry a risk of abuse.
What’s it used for?
Ramelteon is mainly prescribed for insomnia, particularly when falling asleep is the major problem. Some doctors find it more helpful for chronic insomnia than OTC melatonin, and they may prescribe it when other sleep aids haven’t worked.
What do users say?
On Drugs.com, ramelteon has an average rating of just 4.4 out of 10. Thirty-four percent of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 55% reported a negative effect. It’s also worth noting that ramelteon has 419 known drug interactions.
Key Differences and Similarities
Melatonin and ramelteon have some important distinctions to consider.
- Availability: You can buy melatonin over the counter, but you’ll need a prescription from your doctor to get ramelteon.
- Primary Use: People often use melatonin to treat jet lag, while ramelteon is more frequently prescribed for insomnia.
- User Ratings: On Drugs.com, users give melatonin slightly higher ratings than ramelteon.
- Drug Interactions: Both medications can interact with other drugs you might be taking, and ramelteon has a few more potential interactions. So, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Regulatory Status: Melatonin and ramelteon aren’t controlled substances, which sets them apart from certain other prescription sleep aids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take ramelteon every night?
Yes, ramelteon is generally considered safe for daily, long-term use as directed by your doctor. However, it’s always best to check with your physician to determine the right course of treatment for you. If you have any side effects, you’ll want to let your doctor know.
Can you take ramelteon and melatonin together?
While there’s no known major drug interaction between ramelteon and melatonin, it’s generally not recommended to take them together without consulting your doctor. They work through different mechanisms, and combining them might not necessarily improve sleep and could potentially increase side effects. Your doctor can assess the potential benefits and risks.
How fast does ramelteon kick in?
Ramelteon is designed to work relatively quickly. You should take it about 30 minutes before you plan to go to bed. It’s not a sedative that will knock you out, but rather it aims to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to fall asleep at your desired bedtime.
What sleeping pill is stronger than melatonin?
Prescription medications like zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and temazepam (Restoril) are generally considered stronger than melatonin. These medications are controlled substances and work by directly affecting the brain’s neurotransmitters to induce sleep. However, they also carry a higher risk of side effects and dependence, so they are only available via prescription.
The Bottom Line
Melatonin and ramelteon both can improve sleep, but they aren’t the same. Melatonin is available over the counter and has fewer drug interactions. Ramelteon requires a prescription and is more likely to interact with other medications.
Before starting any new sleep aid, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to decide which one is best for you.