Khara Lucius, ND

Category: Melatonin

  • Melatonin for Hot Flashes in Men with Prostate Cancer Receiving ADT

    Melatonin for Hot Flashes in Men with Prostate Cancer Receiving ADT

    Hot flashes are a common complaint related to ADT, reported by 70-80% men receiving this therapy. In this double-blind placebo-controlled RCT, 41 men with prostate cancer receiving ADT were randomized to either placebo or melatonin 3mg BID for 4 weeks.

    Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate (FACT-P) scores significantly improved with use of melatonin (p< 0.05). Melatonin seemed most effective for the reduction of mild hot flashes, with significant improvements seen by week 4 of the trial (p< 0.05). Melatonin was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events reported by participants.

    Melatonin might offer an especially pertinent support in this group, since men on ADT also report high levels of insomnia in other trials, sometimes related to nocturia or to vasomotor symptoms themselves; other studies demonstrate a reduction in ADT-induced sleep problems with melatonin supplementation at doses similar to the that used in the trial above.

    Citation:

    Etedali A, Hosseni AK, Derakhshandeh A, Mehrzad V, Sharifi M, Moghaddas A. Melatonin in the Management of Mood and Sleep Problems Induced by Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer Patients: A Randomized Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial. Iran J Pharm Res. 2022 Sep 30;21(1):e128817. doi: 10.5812/ijpr-128817.

    Link:

    Targeting Side Effects Associated with ADT Using Melatonin: A Randomized Trial on Hot Flashes and Sexual Health in Prostate Cancer Patients

  • Melatonin During Adjuvant Radiation for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

    Melatonin During Adjuvant Radiation for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

    In a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, women with early-stage breast cancer (majority stage I, N= 100) undergoing adjuvant radiation were given either a placebo or melatonin 20mg at bedtime daily, starting on the first day of radiotherapy and continuing through treatment completion. All participants received a total dose of radiotherapy of 50 Gy in 25 fractions (2 Gy per day for all patients).

    At the completion of the trial, women taking melatonin had less fatigue, anxiety, and depression than women in the placebo group (MFI fatigue scores median: 42.5 vs 55; Beck Anxiety Inventory median: 28.5 vs 38; and Beck Depression Inventory median: 29 vs 38; <0.001 for all).

    In analysis of melatonin response by cancer stage (I, II, III), there was no significant difference in the reduction in fatigue scores, suggesting that melatonin is effective regardless of disease stage.

    Citation:

    Sadeghi Yazdankhah S, Javadinia SA, Welsh JS, Mosalaei A. Efficacy of Melatonin in Alleviating Radiotherapy-Induced Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2025 Jan-Dec;24:15347354251371705. doi: 10.1177/15347354251371705.

    Link:

    Full text on Pub Med

  • Supplement Quality: Focus on Melatonin

    Supplement Quality: Focus on Melatonin

    In this small study, 25 commercially available melatonin gummies (from the US) were analyzed for contents, with results being as follows:

    • One product had no detectable melatonin, but did have 31.3 mg of CBD instead.
    • In the remaining 24 gummy products, melatonin quantity ranged from 1.3 mg to 13.1 mg per serving
    • For those that actually contained melatonin, the quantity of melatonin ranged from 74% to 347% of the label claim.
    • 22 out of 25 products (88%) were inaccurately labeled
    • Just 3 products (12%) contained a quantity of melatonin within ±10% of the declared quantity.
    • Serotonin was not detected in any of these products.

    Note that a previous study of 16 OTC melatonin supplements in Canada also demonstrated melatonin quantities that fell outside stated label claims (actual dose of melatonin ranged from 17% to 478% of the declared quantity).

    Because OTC supplements are not regulated/approved by the FDA, it is important that clinicians are knowledgeable about supplement quality. Patients should be informed that OTC melatonin supplements may contain uncertain amounts of the target ingredient.

    Citation:

    Cohen PA, Avula B, Wang Y, Katragunta K, Khan I. Quantity of Melatonin and CBD in Melatonin Gummies Sold in the US. JAMA. 2023;329(16):1401–1402. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.2296

    Link:

    2023 JAMA article