Circadin

I am 66 and was given it to encourage a sleep pattern, it is meant to reset your own natural melatonin though I didn't find it helpful.
My friend's dgd who has Downs Syndrome has been prescribed this drug long term.

This appears to be a prescription drug in the UK, one that is only recommend for over 55s. So firstly it should not be given to anyone without a prescription. So I am wondering how the parents are getting this medicine for her. Has it been prescribed by some kind of specialist? Or are they obtaining it from another source and in effect prescribing it themselves.
I would question if the medicine is packaged for over 55s how they know what dose to give an 8 year old.
There is a NICE report which says it is probably safe to use with children - but there is limited evidence about its long term use - either in terms of safety, or how useful it is.
www.nice.org.uk/news/press-and-media/nice-publishes-evidence-summary-on-the-unlicensed-and-offlabel-use-of-melatonin-to-treat-sleep-disorders-in-children-and-young-people-with-adhd

This is Melatonin. My daughter uses this when she goes to China on business to help with the jetlag. She finds that it does help her get to sleep.

Many thanks for your comment and links. Will let things rest for now but keep monitoring. Would say that "sensitive" is not a word that can be levelled at DIL and there is a lot of background to the situation that I can't go into here. She enjoys being thought of as ill and it looks as if she is bringing up DGD in the same way with constant visits to the doctor for what we feel are imaginary symptoms.

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_uploads/shared-care/Melatonin(Circadin)forchildren4713.pdf

This information guide indicates that long-term prescription of Circadin is usual for children, for several months if not years.

I don't think you should worry too much, Peony, your DGD's parents have obviously sought specialist advice and are doing the best for their daughter.

Your DIL is probably feeling a bit sensitive to any hint of criticism at the moment, so perhaps it might be better to say nothing and hope your GD's health/sleep problems improve.

www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/search-for-a-leaflet/melatonin-for-sleep-disorders/

This may be of interest, Peony. It seems that Circadin is indeed a form of melatonin, although no indication is given as to how long a child should be on the medication.

How about getting in touch with the childs Doctor and explain things. They could have a Health Visitor contact them or if the child is at school the school Doc could get involved.

Has she a sleep pattern disturbance? I would have thought that if anything was to be prescribed it would be Melatonin in paediatric formulation. I don't know where you are but it would be worth checking the Sleep Scotland website. Google it.