Circadin®‘s prolonged-release formulation releases melatonin gradually over 8-10 hours, providing a terminal (apparent) half-life of 3.5–4 hours12. The released melatonin is rapidly metabolised by the liver (half-life 40–50 minutes)12 1. The principal metabolite is 6-sulphatoxy-melatonin (6-SMT), which is inactive and accounts for ~80% of the dose excreted in the urine1. Excretion of the metabolites is completed within 12 hours after ingestion12.
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