WASHINGTON – The Natural Products Association today issued the following statement in response to a study by the CDC about the use of Melatonin:
This is an important finding but officials do need to ensure that they have the most accurate data regarding Melatonin. As the article clearly states: “the American Association of Poison Control Centers is not able to confirm the accuracy of each case reported to poison control centers, and individual chart review of all cases could not be performed. Finally, poison control center data do not include patient medical records or medical examiner report, and confirmation of whether a death was secondary to toxic effects solely from melatonin or because of comorbidities was not possible.”
These deficiencies can lead to hazy and potentially misleading snapshots, which is precisely why the serious adverse event reporting system at FDA via Medwatch was established. Medwatch is the gold standard for detecting and alerting public health officials of potential concerns with products, and so far we have seen no action by the FDA as it relates to Melatonin. Melatonin has been used safely and continues to be under the normal conditions of use as labeled on the product. In the meantime, we remind everyone — including parents with children — who uses dietary supplements to always consult with their doctor or medical professional about what is best for their own personal health and wellness.
