Circadin 2mg tablets (melatonin)

[Guest]

Hi
I wonder if anyone can help me with a question I have...
My DS9 has Aspergers and due to inability to get to sleep has been prescribed Melatonin but in the form of Circadin 2mg tablets.

Now the problem I have or more to the point the question I am asking is this...
In the instruction leaflet it says these tablets must be swallowed whole (after food with water) it states they are not to be cut in half or crushed.
Although his community paediatrician said to give them with jam if need be (i assumed she meant crushed).
My DS cannot swallow them at all, nor will he have them whole in jam or choc spread etc however he is happy to chew them then swallow with water and they do seem to be working, but I am worried about him chewing them when the pack says not to (even though they still produce the desired effect).

I have trawled through the internet to try and find out why they shouldnt be crushed but cant find any further info so was wondering if anyone here could help at all?
I will ring the paediatrician tomorrow but Im sure she isnt in the office til tuesday and I just wanted an answer now (IYKWIM).

Thanks in advance to anyone who maybe able to help me in the mean time.

[Guest]

Sorry can't help with your crushing problem, but was wondering if you are having good results with the Circadin 2 mg tablets?
My son (9 yrs) has been prescribed these, and thought I'd do a little google search before giving them to him!
We were told by our paediatrician that they must be taken whole, lets see how that goes down tonight!

[stephwa]

I assume its because they are sustained release tablets, so if you crush them they are more likely to be absorbed quicker than what they should be, so you'd get a higher dose faster.

Are they too big to swallow whole? Or does he prefer them to be hidden in food?

[buffalo]

My DS has these but was given it in medicine form at first. The only reason we had the tablets is that he prefers them so maybe your DS would be better off with the medicine.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by buffalo

My DS has these but was given it in medicine form at first. The only reason we had the tablets is that he prefers them so maybe your DS would be better off with the medicine.

See more...

Unfortunately the paediatrician said the liquid form is harder to get than tablet which is why we ended up with a tablet.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by stephwa

I assume its because they are sustained release tablets, so if you crush them they are more likely to be absorbed quicker than what they should be, so you'd get a higher dose faster.

Are they too big to swallow whole? Or does he prefer them to be hidden in food?

See more...

I did ask the chemist about swallowing whole or crushing and she was of the same opinion steph and said that although probably not the way they are supposed to be taken that chewing them would probably only speed up the effects. But there was nothing in them to cause any problems (i was worried about ulcers etc).

They arent too big to swallow whole (about the same size as a paracetamol only flatter) but he just cant do it we have tried all sorts of tactics to help but he still ends up with it sticking to his tongue.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by giffsmiff

Sorry can't help with your crushing problem, but was wondering if you are having good results with the Circadin 2 mg tablets?
My son (9 yrs) has been prescribed these, and thought I'd do a little google search before giving them to him!
We were told by our paediatrician that they must be taken whole, lets see how that goes down tonight!

See more...

In a nut shell yes is the answer. The circadan is having the desired effect which is good for both DS and us. Every one in the house is now getting a decent amount of sleep.

[stephwa]

Originally Posted by chattychick157

I did ask the chemist about swallowing whole or crushing and she was of the same opinion steph and said that although probably not the way they are supposed to be taken that chewing them would probably only speed up the effects. But there was nothing in them to cause any problems (i was worried about ulcers etc).

They arent too big to swallow whole (about the same size as a paracetamol only flatter) but he just cant do it we have tried all sorts of tactics to help but he still ends up with it sticking to his tongue.

See more...

Aww bless. I'm the same, have real difficulty swallowing tablets.

I obviously can't give a "proper" answer as I'm not a specialist in this field, but I would see no problem crushing them for now. As the desired effect is sleep, I don't see why speeding up that process would be of any harm. Ask your doctor when you can though

[Guest]

You arent supposed to chew any sort of tablets im sure why tho, but sometimes crushing them is ok. I would speak to the Dr/nurse or whoever prescribed them and explain that he unable to swallow them and the only way is to crush them. They may prescribe it in a liquid (if they do it) to make it easier!

[Guest]

Hi, over the years my ds (10) has been prescribed melatonin in tablet and capsule form, and I have always crushed them and mixed them either in fromage frais or butter, on toast or in a sandwich, he has a very restricted diet (his choice) and will not take any medication so I have to hide it. Unfortunately he has cottoned on to this, so is no longer on melatonin so just have to put up with the late nights now. My brother inlaw is a hospital pharmacist, so will ask him tomorrow if he knows.