A Case Report of Melatonin-Induced Parasomnia

Abstract

Background and Objective: Parasomnia occurs due to various hereditary reasons, psychiatric or medical diseases, as well as substance or medication use. The occurrence of medication-induced parasomnia not only causes concern for the patient and family, but also causes the patient to refuse to continue the treatment. The aim of this case report is to consider melatonin as one of the causes of medication-induced parasomnia. Case Report: The patient is a 17-year-old woman who referred to the Sleep Disorders Clinic of a university center due to delayed sleep phase disorder. After ruling out medical causes and diagnosing delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, she was treated with 1.5 mg melatonin by a psychiatrist. The patient experienced visual hallucinations, sleep paralysis and nightmares that night. A month and a half later, similar symptoms appeared after re-taking melatonin. After discontinuing the medication, there were no symptoms in the 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, melatonin can cause parasomnia. In the above patient, due to the possibility of parasomnia-related risks and low acceptance of treatment, it is necessary to give the necessary warnings to the patient and family and seek help from non-pharmacological treatments.

Keywords

• melatonin
• delayed sleep-wake phase disorder
• parasomnia
• sleep disorders.