Premium
Use of Transdermal Melatonin Delivery to Improve Sleep Maintenance During Daytime
Author(s) -
Aeschbach D,
Lockyer B J,
Dijk DJ,
Lockley S W,
Nuwayser E S,
Nichols L D,
Czeisler C A
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.2009.109
Subject(s) - medical school , sleep medicine , gerontology , medicine , general hospital , family medicine , sleep disorder , medical education , psychiatry , insomnia
Oral melatonin (MEL) can improve daytime sleep, but the hormone's short elimination half‐life limits its use as a hypnotic in shift workers and individuals with jet lag or other sleep problems. Here we show, in healthy subjects, that transdermal delivery of MEL during the daytime can elevate plasma MEL and reduce waking after sleep onset, by promoting sleep in the latter part of an 8‐h sleep opportunity. Transdermal MEL may have advantages over fast‐release oral MEL in improving sleep maintenance during adverse circadian phases. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2009) 86 4, 378–382. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2009.109