Melatonin

[Mother in Need]

I've asked my PG to prescribe my son melatonin, but she will not as she has never heard of it and it is not in her book.

She did say that she would read up on any information I could supply her, though this would not mean that she would feel happy prescribing it.

So what I need is information on a scientific/medical level regarding melatonin, that would convince the GP it actually exists and is worthwhile prescribing (for both my son and myself as I am currently on some tough meds for sleeping).

Would anyone have any links or info? Thanks!

[nellie]

Have a read through these topics, they have some useful information.

 

Melatonin in the UK

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.ph...t=0entry22393

 

Melatonin?, Any experience of using it?

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.ph...st=0entry4742

 

This gives information on Melatonin

http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/local/projects/s_th...ang/+start.html

 

This NAS page gives information.

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=367&a=3376

 

Hope this helps.

 

Nellie xx

[Tensing]

I doubt you will get it on presription due to it not being in the BNF, I've just checked.

[lil_me]

We get my sons on prescription from the consultant, but the GP refuses to prescribe it.

[seeking-sanity]

Hi

 

We get ours from consultant, as far as we've been told gps cant prescribe this it has to come from the consultant.

Hope you get help with this as Jamie's sleep pattern is much better since being on it.

 

Good Luck

[UltraMum]

Our consultant prescribes ours as well - excellent for J, although it doesn't work for all.

[tsmom]

we get ours from the pead.In america it is avalible over the counter.only one brand works for us,as Tori cant swollow tablets hole so i have capsules and open them into juice.

[Mother in Need]

Thanks. I'll have a look through those links immediately after leaving this message. I actually had asked my pain management consultant about it as well for myself, but he basically said the same as the GP. BUT in many other threads people say that they have managed to get their consultants AND many their GPs to prescribe it so if it is not mentioned in this 'holy' book of theirs, then how did you all manage to convince them all?

[sonia]

I will speak to my Gp for you as he was happy to prescribe it after the initial prescription from my son's paediatrician. He did take approx one week to do his own research .

 

Sonia x

[Tez]

We have Melatonin from the Consultant but when she first prescribed it she gave me a leaflet produced by the Child Development Team at Guys & St Thomas' Hospital Trust detailing why Melatonin had been prescribed and the benefits and safety of it. It was only a prototype document but I'm sure your Doctor should be able to get hold of it. I've had a look but at the moment I can't find the leaflet I was given.

[Mother in Need]

I've looked on the web for any real official information but can't find any real stuff, just sales talk really and how good parents find it; which is fine, but not what I need. I have also looked for that leaflet Tez, but can't find any mention on the web.

[loulou]

Hi,

 

The reason most GP's will not prescribe it, is because it is not liscensed for children in the UK. Thus, any GP prescribing it, is leaving themselves open to legal action should there be a problem. This does not mean that the drug is unsafe, just that it has not been trialled in the UK.

 

Your GP should have access to data from trials performed in other countries (ie US).

 

The best option is to contact your peadiatrician.

 

Good luck,

 

Loulou x

[LizK]

In addition to the other points raised about why your GP can't prescribe it some Primary Care Trusts have red or black-listed the drug meaning GP s can't prescribe it unless it is initiated by a hospital consultant. In some cases it means the GP can't even issue repeat prescriptions as the prescriber takes legal responsibility for the drug and as it is not licensed for children nor are GPs experts in this area it is felt that it is beter prescribed by specialists in secondary care. Varies from PCT to PCT though

 

Liz

[mossgrove]

Our son's Melatonin is prescribed by a Registrar working in the 'Complex Special Needs' team which is a part of CAMHS in our area.

 

Simon

[Mother in Need]

My son has now been put on respiridone and though it hasn't decreased his aggressive and violent behaviour as yet, it has made him sleep much better, so maybe we won't need the melatonin after all.

[mbrown]

Hello All, We had been prescribed both Melatonin and Risperidone by our boy's consultant, He transferred the prescription to our GP and it is through our GP that we continue to get both items.

 

Mike