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Drug

Melatonin

Approved · EMA
ClassMelatonin receptor agonistEmerging researchLate-stage developmentRising momentum
Also known as 5-methoxy-N-acetyl tryptamine, 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine, Melatonin with Vitamin B6, N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine+5 more

5-methoxy-N-acetyl tryptamine, 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine, Melatonin with Vitamin B6, N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, Restone, Somnicin, Melatonex, Melatonina, Mélatonine.

15
Research papers
32
Active clinical trials
2
Protein targets
3
Regulatory events
Latest activity
beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

Effects of Melatonin on Sleep Architecture of Critically Ill Patients in the ICU

Clinical trial2026-07-10Results expected Q2 2027 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Melatonin as a Neuroprotective Therapy in Neonates With HIE Undergoing Hypothermia

Clinical trial2026-06-29Results expected Q1 2027 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Approval: Melatonin Neurim (EMA)

Regulatory2022-11-07EMA

Approval: Slenyto (EMA)

Regulatory2018-09-20EMA

Approval: Circadin (EMA)

Regulatory2007-06-29EMA

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name
Melatonin
Aliases & brands
5-methoxy-N-acetyl tryptamine5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamineMelatonin with Vitamin B6N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamineRestoneSomnicinMelatonexMelatoninaMélatonine
RxNorm CUI
6711
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL45
ATC codes
N05CH01
UNII
JL5DK93RCL
Primary mechanism
Melatonin receptor agonist
Regulatory jurisdictions
ema

Pharmacology & targets

2 targets

Known molecular targets and mechanisms supported by curated pharmacology databases.

AGONISTMelatonin receptor agonist
AGONISTMelatonin receptor agonist

Regulatory timeline

3 events

The complete regulatory record, grouped by authority — approvals, safety advisories and label changes. Each authority shows its most recent events; expand one to read its full history.

Earliest approval
2007-06-29
Latest approval
2022-11-07
Authorities
EMA
Total events
3
emaEuropean Medicines Agency· 3 events
2022-11-07Approval
Approval: Melatonin Neurim (EMA)

Indication: Melatonin Neurim is indicated as monotherapy for the short-term treatment of primary insomnia characterised by poor quality of sleep in patients who are aged 55 or over.

Evidence ↗
2018-09-20Approval
Approval: Slenyto (EMA)
Indication: Slenyto is indicated for: treatment of insomnia in children and adolescents aged 2-18 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and / or neurogenetic disorders with aberrantShow full indication

Slenyto is indicated for: treatment of insomnia in children and adolescents aged 2-18 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and / or neurogenetic disorders with aberrant diurnal melatonin secretion and /or nocturnal awakenings, where sleep hygiene measures have been insufficient. treatment of insomnia in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) where sleep hygiene measures have been insufficient.

Evidence ↗
2007-06-29Approval
Approval: Circadin (EMA)

Indication: Circadin is indicated as monotherapy for the short-term treatment of primary insomnia characterised by poor quality of sleep in patients who are aged 55 or over.

Evidence ↗

Contains information from the European Medicines Agency (European Medicines Agency), © EMA, reused under CC BY 4.0.

Clinical trials

186 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY
186
registered trials across all phases
LATEST COMPLETION 2026
32
Active studies
28
Recruiting
103
Late-stage (III+)
89
Completed
65
Discontinued
PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 186
Early Phase 113Phase 18Phase 1 / 212Phase 250Phase 2 / 312Phase 327Phase 427Phase N / A37

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

Research activity

15 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time
20012025
Most influential
Recent papers
Major research themes8
Melatonin8Circadian Rhythm2COVID-192Neurodegenerative Diseases2Aging1Antioxidants1Apoptosis1Circadian Clocks1
Journals, researchers & institutions
Top journals
  • Journal of pineal research2
  • Ageing research reviews1
  • Cancer1
  • Food chemistry1
  • Frontiers in endocrinology1
  • Journal of biological rhythms1
Leading researchers
  • Reiter RJ2
  • Sun J2
  • Wang X2
  • Abulseoud OA1
  • Alatorre-Jimenez M1
  • Almieda Chuffa LG1
  • Altena E1
  • Andersen L1
Leading institutions
free-text, unnormalised
  • Armenian National Institute of Health1
  • Bispebjerg Hospital1
  • Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics)1
  • Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research1
  • Center for Sleep and Chronobiology Research1
  • Centre for Cognitive Neurosciences1

Related diseases

4 conditions

Regulator-approved indications and conditions co-mentioned with this drug across the research literature. Number shows shared papers.

Related drugs

1 matches

Drugs sharing diseases, protein targets and literature with this one. Ranked by graph evidence (shared targets + diseases weighted above co-mentions).

Frequently co-studied with Melatonin in the research literature.

1 shared paper
References & data sources
  • RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
  • ChEMBL (EMBL-EBI) & UniProt — pharmacology and targets
  • Europe PMC — research literature
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials
  • Regulatory event sources are credited in the Regulatory Timeline above.