Urgent safety warning issued over counterfeit melatonin sleep supplements

A safety warning has been issued about counterfeit, unregistered melatonin products imported to Australia.

One product contained 400 per cent more melatonin than advertised, raising concerns that consumers could accidentally overdose.

Another contained no detectable melatonin at all.

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Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the human body that helps regulate sleep and has become a popular sleep supplement.

It is a prescription-only medicine in Australia, except in certain circumstances.

New lab testing conducted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) revealed more than 10 products on the Australian market to be counterfeit.

Results showed significant discrepancies between the melatonin content advertised on the labels and what was actually in the product.

This kind of variability poses the risk of accidental overdose and hospitalisation, especially in children.

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At least seven products contained significantly more melatonin than the labelled amount, including:

• Spring Valley Extra Strength Melatonin 10mg tablets - 119 per cent to 136 per cent more
• Natrol Melatonin 5mg gummies Strawberry Flavour - 140 per cent to 170 per cent more
• CVS Health Melatonin 3mg tablets - 112 per cent to 121 per cent more
• The Smurfs Kids Gummies Melatonin 1mg - 155 per cent to 170 per cent more
• Natrol Advanced Sleep Melatonin 10mg Time Release tablets - 112 per cent to 123 per cent more
• Sleepose-3 Melatonin 3mg tablets - 209 per cent to 417 per cent more
• Vitafusion Sleep Well Melatonin 3mg tablets - 106 per cent to 124 per cent more

Have you been affected by these products? Contact reporter Maddison Leach at mleach@nine.com.au

At least four products contained significantly less melatonin than the labelled amount, including:

• Life Extension Melatonin 300mcg Vegetarian capsules - 79 per cent to 97 per cent less
• Sleepose-10 Melatonin 10mg tablets - 37 per cent to 59 per cent less
• Live Nature's Melatonin 10mg capsules - no melatonin detected
• Sanofi Novanuit Triple Action 1mg Melatonin + plant extracts tablets - 76 per cent to 99 per cent less

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The TGA will notify Australian Border Force (ABF) to seize and destroy any counterfeit products intercepted at the border.

It also constantly monitors for harmful unregistered products in Australia.

The TGA has urged any consumers in possession of unregistered melatonin products to stop taking them immediately.

Any remaining products can be taken to a local pharmacy for safe disposal.

Anyone with concerns about having used unregistered or counterfeit melatonin products should speak to a medical professional and report any adverse side effects to the TGA.

The TGA cautions Australians against buying any medicines from unknown overseas websites.

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