Health Ministry Issues Critical Advisory on Melatonin Use: Strict Guidelines for Pediatric Consumption

Jan. 11, 2025

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Health has issued regulatory guidelines about the use of melatonin supplements, chiefly underscoring strict protocols for pediatric administration and distribution controls.

In a directive issued on Friday, the Ministry issued strict controls on melatonin gummies, applying a framework of age-restricted usage protocols and pharmaceutical distribution requirements.

Critical Safety Protocols: 

• Absolute prohibition for children under 2 years
• Mandatory medical consultation for individuals under 18
• Specific contraindications for children under 12 regarding simultaneous use with Passiflora-containing compounds

The Ministry has instructed restricted pharmaceutical channel distribution, necessitating official Ministry certification and Quality Control Department validation for all melatonin-containing products.

The directive, circulated to all provincial directorates and autonomous administrations within the Kurdistan Region, creates a wide-ranging regulatory framework for melatonin supplement administration.

Clinical Administration Guidelines:

• Optimal timing: 20-60 minutes before sleep onset
• Recommended minimum two-hour interval post-meal
• Emphasis on minimal effective dosing protocols

The Ministry has particularly emphasized possible interactions with Central Nervous System (CNS) affecting medications, instructing professional medical consultation for simultaneous use scenarios.

These regulatory measures reflect mounting international concerns concerning extensive melatonin supplement usage, specifically among pediatric populations.

The Ministry's approach aligns with evolving global pharmaceutical safety protocols while discussing region-specific distribution and administration challenges.