High-Dose Melatonin and Liver Risk for MS Patients

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Key Takeaway

High-dose melatonin (300 mg/day) caused temporary liver enzyme rises in several patients taking many other medicines, suggesting caution when using high melatonin with multiple drugs.

What They Found

Researchers tested a large nightly dose of melatonin (300 mg) added to standard MS treatment in people with primary progressive MS. The trial stopped early because three of four people taking melatonin had higher liver enzymes, a sign of liver stress, that went back to normal after stopping melatonin. The people with liver issues were all women who were also taking other medicines processed by the same liver pathways as melatonin. The only person on melatonin who did not take those overlapping medicines did not have liver problems during 14 months of follow-up. The researchers think the problem was not melatonin alone but that taking many drugs together may have crowded the liver’s ability to process them, causing temporary liver overload.

Who Should Care and Why

People with MS who take several medicines (polymedicated patients) should pay attention because adding high-dose melatonin could increase the risk of liver stress, like adding too many cars onto a one-lane road causes a traffic jam. Caregivers and family should know to tell doctors about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs, because even common pills can share the same liver pathways. Neurologists and other healthcare providers who treat MS should be cautious when advising high-dose melatonin, especially for patients on multiple drugs. Patients using ocrelizumab or similar treatments should discuss any melatonin use with their care team because interactions—not just the MS drug—may cause liver trouble. This finding most directly affects people taking several medicines, but it reminds everyone to check with clinicians before starting high-dose supplements.

Important Considerations

The trial was very small (only eight people) and stopped early, so we can’t be sure how common or severe this risk is for most people with MS. The patients differed in age, sex, and other medicines, so we can’t say for sure which exact drugs or doses cause the interaction. Because of these limits, this study raises a caution but does not prove high-dose melatonin is unsafe for everyone—more research is needed.

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Clinical Trials Treatment Updates MS Progression

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or are seeking to broaden your understanding of this complex, neurodegenerative disease, navigating the latest research can feel overwhelming. Studies published in respected medical journals like CNS drugs often range from early-stage, exploratory work to advanced clinical trials. These evidence-based findings help shape new disease-modifying therapies, guide symptom management techniques, and deepen our knowledge of MS progression.

However, not all research is created equal. Some clinical research studies may have smaller sample sizes, evolving methodologies, or limitations that warrant careful interpretation. For a more comprehensive, accurate understanding, we recommend reviewing the original source material—accessible via the More Details section above—and consulting with healthcare professionals who specialize in MS care.

By presenting a wide range of MS-focused studies—spanning cutting-edge treatments, emerging therapies, and established best practices—we aim to empower patients, caregivers, and clinicians to stay informed and make well-informed decisions when managing Multiple Sclerosis.

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