Melatonin information - PDF Free Download

Why are we giving this information to parents and carers? You have been given this leaflet because your child needs melatonin to test his/her hearing accurately. What is melatonin? Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the brain and it helps us to fall asleep. What is the use of melatonin in medicine? Melatonin is widely used as a prescribed medicine in the UK for children to induce sleep when they suffer with difficulty going to sleep. Melatonin is regarded as a dietary supplement in the USA and is readily available even in health food stores but this is not the case in the UK. Is it right that doctors use melatonin for children to perform tests under sleep? A doctor can prescribe melatonin for certain tests like scans (CT and MRI), EEG (Electroencephalogram is a test to trace the electrical activity of the brain) and ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response Audiometry to trace the electrical activity of the inner ear and the nerve of hearing), when the child needs to be deeply asleep for a while. Who will discuss the need to perform ABR after giving Melatonin? The chief audiologist will discuss the need for prescription of melatonin to induce sleep for ABR. If you have any difficulty in understanding English, he will arrange an interpreter service. 1

Who will write the prescription? The prescription will be written in advance by the lead consultant to ensure that the required medicine is available on the day of arrival. How is melatonin given? A dose of 2mg (1 tablet of 2mg strength) will be used for children under 5 and children over 5 will get a dose of 5mg (two and half tablets of 2mg strength tablet). A second dose will only be given if the child vomits within 30 minutes of the first dose. Nursing staff will administer the prescribed dose. Melatonin is given in a tablet form which will be crushed and given with water, milk or juice. It will be given 45 minutes before having the test. If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of melatonin, we will give the same dose again. If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of melatonin, we will not give them another dose. How long it will take melatonin to work? Your child should start to feel sleepy about 30 minutes after taking a dose. Occasionally the child will not sleep. How long it will take to perform ABR? The test lasts between 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on how deeply asleep your child is and the ease of getting response. Rarely it can take up to 2½ hours. What happens after the test? The chief audiologist will arrange the transfer from ABR room to children s outpatients where nurses will monitor your child. Who will discharge your child from our care? Nursing staff will check your child before discharging home. What if nursing staff are not happy about your child s health? Pendleton Gateway has no care service after 5pm. Nursing staff will move the child to the Panda Unit (at Salford Royal) for observation. Follow up call The consultant will call you 2-3 days after the test to ask if your child suffered with any side effects. This will be used in our audit to understand how effective melatonin is to induce sleep for ABR testing. Are there any risks or side effects? Your child should not take melatonin if he/she has a known allergy to melatonin or any of its excipients (e.g. lactose) or has an autoimmune disease (a disease of the immune system). Note: Patients with rare hereditary conditions like galactose intolerance (unable to tolerate galactose, which is a sugar found in milk), LAPP Lactose deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medication. Melatonin contains 80mg lactose monohydrate. Kindly show this leaflet to your GP to rule out any condition listed (these are very rare). 2 3

Side effects: Your child s temperature may fall a little after taking melatonin. This is a normal reaction to melatonin. Your child may experience a headache Your child s sleep pattern may change for a day or two or may be more restless / irritable than usual Very rare side effects could be: Blurred eye sight, dizziness Mouth blisters / stomach acid (heartburn) Eczema / skin conditions What if you are worried about your child after going home? Please contact your GP or attend the Emergency Department at Salford Royal. What if you wish to discuss this test further with the consultant? Please telephone: 0161 206 1568 or email: audiology@srft.nhs.uk and ask for a telephone consultation or attend clinic. Notes 4 5

G17061902W. Design Services Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust All Rights Reserved 2017 This document MUST NOT be photocopied Information Leaflet Control Policy: Unique Identifier: MED32(17) Review Date: August 2019 For further information on this leaflet, it s references and sources used, please contact 0161 206 1568 Copies of this information are available in other languages and formats upon request. If you need this interpreting please telephone In accordance with the Equality Act we will make reasonable adjustments to enable individuals with disabilities, to access this treatment / service. Email: InterpretationandTrans@srft.nhs.uk Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy. For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital Specialist Stop Smoking Service on 0161 206 1779 Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust Stott Lane, Salford, Manchester, M6 8HD Telephone 0161 789 7373 www.srft.nhs.uk If you would like to become a Foundation Trust Member please visit: www.srft.nhs.uk/ for-members If you have any suggestions as to how this document could be improved in the future then please visit: http://www.srft.nhs.uk/ for-patients