Improved Melatonin Dissolution Properties: A Way Forward for Treating Children with Sleep Disorders

Abstract

Sleep problems, in particular the difficulty in initiating and maintaining sleep are important comorbidities in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), accompanied by a range of negative consequences for both patients and their caregivers. Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that is important for coordinating the body's sleep-wake cycle, has been used to treat insomnia in children with ADHD. This study compares the dissolution properties of two melatonin tablets (1 and 5 mg Mellozzan and Melatonin AGB). Results showed that Mellozzan dissolved rapidly (90% within 5 minutes) in all pH levels tested, whereas Melatonin AGB dissolved slower (60% within 30 minutes). The fast dissolution properties of melatonin observed in Mellozzan indicates that this formulation is preferable for the treatment of children where the dissolution step is critical to reach the desired clinical effect.