

It is worth noting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not require supplement manufacturers to provide expiry dates on vitamin or mineral supplements. Unopened vitamin supplements are more likely to retain their potency because moisture, light, and oxygen are less likely to affect them. Other factors that can contribute to vitamins losing potency include: An older study, from 2008, indicates that vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin B-1, which is sometimes called thiamine, may break down more quickly than others. Vitamins in tablet or capsule form may remain potent for several years.Īdditionally, some vitamins may last longer than others. The shelf life of a supplement depends on its form, its contents, and how someone is storing it.Ĭhewable or gummy vitamins are more susceptible to moisture than capsules or tablets. That includes fundamentals such as good nutrition, daily exercise, a daily mind-body practice, good sleep hygiene, social connectedness and spirituality.Share on Pinterest Vitamin supplements may not be potent enough after a certain date. It needs to be coupled with lifestyle choices that create a solid foundation for good health. Your provider can help you decide if melatonin is right for you and, if so, which one is a good choice for your situation.Īnd keep in mind that, as with any supplement, melatonin shouldn't be the first or only remedy you use to try to resolve a health concern such as insomnia. Melatonin supplements you can buy without a prescription vary widely in the amount of melatonin they contain. Medicine that is broken down by the liverīefore you take melatonin supplements, check with your health care provider first, especially if you have any health conditions or if you are taking other medicine.Medicine that suppresses the immune system (immunosuppressants).


Melatonin supplements can interact with some types of medicine, including: Other, less common melatonin side effects might include:īecause melatonin can cause drowsiness, don't drive or use machinery within five hours of taking it. The most common melatonin side effects include: Unlike with many sleep medications, with melatonin you are unlikely to become dependent on it, have less response to it after repeated use or experience a hangover effect. Melatonin is generally safe for short-term use.
