Melatonin Prolonged Release 180 tablets

Melatonin P.R. is a prolonged-release melatonin tablet from Douglas Laboratories providing 3 mg of pharmaceutical-grade melatonin per serving. It is intended for adults experiencing occasional sleep disturbances, difficulty maintaining sleep through the night, or disruption to the circadian rhythm from shift work or travel across time zones. One tablet taken approximately one hour before bedtime is the recommended dose, used as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

The distinguishing feature of this product is its tablet matrix, which is formulated to slowly break down and release melatonin in the small intestine over an average of six to eight hours. Standard immediate-release melatonin reaches peak plasma concentration relatively quickly and clears the system within a few hours, which may be adequate for difficulty falling asleep but is less suited to maintaining sleep through the second half of the night. The prolonged-release delivery is designed to more closely approximate the natural nocturnal melatonin secretion curve, during which the pineal gland produces melatonin gradually over the course of several hours following the onset of darkness. The formula is free of yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, corn, artificial coloring, artificial preservatives, and GMOs.

Melatonin is a hormone synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan by the pineal gland, primarily in response to darkness. Its primary physiological role is as a regulator of the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm, signaling to the body that it is time to initiate sleep. Endogenous melatonin production is highest in early childhood and declines progressively from adolescence onward, with levels in older adults often significantly reduced compared to younger populations — a pattern that correlates with the increased prevalence of sleep difficulties with age. Beyond its role in sleep regulation, melatonin functions as a direct free radical scavenger and indirect antioxidant, supporting cellular protection during overnight repair processes, and has been studied for its involvement in normal immune function.