Melatonin 3 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Common uses: Short-term sleep problems (insomnia), especially trouble falling asleep; Jet lag after long flights across time zones.
Listed MRPs range from ₹4.99 to ₹6.80 per tablet across 6 listings.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GNC Melatonin 3 | Guardian Healthcare Services Pvt Ltd | 120 | ₹599.00 | ₹4.99 | 19 October 2026 |
| Noctura 3 | Fourrts India Laboratories Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹52.00 | ₹5.20 | 19 October 2026 |
| Altonil 3 | Alteus Biogenics Pvt. Ltd. | 15 | ₹93.06 | ₹6.20 | 19 October 2026 |
| Melocure 3 | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 10 | ₹64.00 | ₹6.40 | 19 October 2026 |
| Meloset 3 | Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹65.62 | ₹6.56 | 19 October 2026 |
| Lamrest 3 | Tas Med India Pvt Ltd | 15 | ₹102.01 | ₹6.80 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Short-term sleep problems (insomnia), especially trouble falling asleep.
- Jet lag after long flights across time zones.
- Resetting the sleep cycle in shift workers or people with a delayed sleep pattern.
- Long-term sleep problems in children with autism or ADHD, only under a specialist.
How to take it
Take one 3 mg tablet 30 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime, at the same time each night. Standard tablets are best taken 2 hours before or 2 hours after food; slow-release tablets are taken with food and must be swallowed whole. For jet lag, take it at your normal bedtime on the day you arrive, for up to 5 days. Melatonin is a hormone your body makes in the dark, so dim the lights and avoid screens after taking it. Use it for short courses – a few weeks at most – and if sleep problems continue, see a doctor rather than increasing the dose. It can make you drowsy, so do not drive after taking it.
Side effects
Common
- Daytime sleepiness or tiredness.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea or stomach ache.
- Strange dreams or irritability.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Low mood that persists (possible depression).
- Fainting or confusion.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising.
- Serious allergic reaction – swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing.
Safety information
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol; it disturbs sleep and adds to drowsiness.
Pregnancy
Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding unless a doctor advises it, because safety data is limited.
Kidney problems
Tell your doctor about kidney disease; use with caution.
Liver problems
Melatonin is cleared by the liver and is not recommended in liver disease.
Children
Only under a specialist, for example for sleep problems in children with autism or ADHD. Do not give over-the-counter melatonin to children on your own.
Missed dose
Skip it and take the next dose the following night. Never take two doses together or a dose in the middle of the night.
Interactions
- Sleeping pills (zolpidem), alprazolam, clonazepam and sedating antihistamines – added drowsiness.
- Antidepressants such as fluvoxamine and amitriptyline – fluvoxamine greatly raises melatonin levels.
- Warfarin and painkillers like ibuprofen, diclofenac – bleeding risk may change; tell your doctor.
- Oestrogen contraceptives and HRT, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin – raise melatonin levels.
- Carbamazepine, rifampicin and smoking – lower its effect.
- Blood pressure medicines – melatonin can alter blood pressure control.
Frequently asked questions
What is Meloset 3 used for?
Meloset 3 contains melatonin 3 mg, the natural hormone that signals night-time to your body. It is used for short-term insomnia, jet lag and resetting a disturbed sleep cycle, such as in shift workers.
How long before bed should I take Meloset 3?
About 30 minutes to 1 hour before you want to sleep, at the same time every night. For jet lag, take it at the local bedtime on the day of arrival.
Is Meloset 3 habit-forming?
Melatonin is not addictive in the way sleeping pills like zolpidem are, and it does not cause withdrawal. But it should still be used for short courses, and persistent insomnia needs a doctor's assessment.
Meloset 3 vs Zolfresh 10 – which is better for sleep?
They are very different. Melatonin gently nudges your sleep timing and is mild, with few side effects. Zolpidem is a strong prescription sedative for short-term severe insomnia with a risk of dependence. Melatonin is tried first for mild sleep problems and jet lag.
Can I take Meloset 3 with alcohol?
Avoid alcohol. It fragments sleep and adds to melatonin's drowsiness.
Is melatonin safe for daily long-term use?
Short courses of a few weeks are usual. Longer use is possible under a doctor's guidance, mostly in older adults or children with specific conditions, but the long-term safety data is limited.
Can I give Meloset 3 to my child?
Not without a doctor. Melatonin is used in children only under a specialist, for example in autism or ADHD-related sleep problems, with careful dosing.
Does melatonin need a prescription in India?
Melatonin 3 mg tablets and gummies are sold as nutraceuticals and over the counter at most chemists. Still, check with a doctor if you take other medicines, are pregnant, or have liver disease.
Why do I feel groggy the morning after taking melatonin?
Residual drowsiness is common, especially with slow-release tablets or when taken too late at night. Take it earlier in the evening, keep to 3 mg, and avoid driving until you feel alert.
Sources
- NHS – Melatonin (19 October 2026)
- NHS – How and when to take melatonin (19 October 2026)
- NHS – Side effects of melatonin (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms