NOW Foods Melatonin 5mg 60 Veg Capsules

What it is

NOW Foods Melatonin 5 mg is a dietary supplement supplied as 60 vegetarian capsules in a single bottle. One capsule is the labeled serving, and each serving supplies 5 mg of melatonin. The front of the bottle identifies it as "A Dietary Supplement" and marks it "Vegetarian/Vegan", and the Supplement Facts panel identifies the capsule shell as a cellulose capsule rather than gelatin. The bottle has a purple cap and an orange band printed "General Health".

The bottle carries the line "Family owned since 1968". The Supplement Facts panel records the maker as NOW Foods of 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale, Illinois, and states that the product is "made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients". More of the brand's range sits in Supplements.

What's inside

The panel on this bottle declares one active ingredient and three other ingredients — that is the whole of the formula as printed.

Melatonin, 5 mg per capsule. Melatonin is a compound the human body produces in the pineal gland. The panel marks the melatonin row with a double asterisk and prints the note "Daily Value not established", meaning no reference intake has been set for it. It is the only row in the Amount Per Serving section.

The remaining three substances are listed on the panel under "Other ingredients". The panel assigns no role to them, so neither do we — they are recorded here because they are declared on the label, and for no other reason.

• Microcrystalline cellulose — a purified form of plant cellulose.
• Hypromellose — described on the panel itself as the "cellulose capsule", so this is the capsule shell. It is a cellulose-derived material.
• Ascorbyl palmitate — an ester formed from ascorbic acid and palmitic acid.

For general background on how supplement labels are put together and what the panel's terms mean, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements consumer overview and the FDA's questions and answers on dietary supplements both cover it. The NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database holds label records for products in this category generally.

How to use it

The bottle prints one instruction: "Suggested Usage: Take 1 capsule near bedtime with water." That is the whole of the directions as printed, and no schedule, worked example or second daily serving has been added to it here.

For storage, the panel says to keep the bottle in a cool, dry place after opening. The panel also prints the note "natural color variation may occur in this product".

Who it's for

This is a product for adults aged 18 and over, and the bottle's own caution restricts it to adults only. The 60-capsule size suits someone who already knows how a melatonin supplement fits their routine and wants a standard bottle rather than a trial size, since at one capsule per serving it works out as a 60-serving supply.

The vegetarian capsule shell and the "Vegetarian/Vegan" marking on the front make it relevant to shoppers avoiding gelatin capsules. Anyone pregnant or nursing is directed away from the product by the label itself, and the caution paragraph below sets out the circumstances in which the label tells you to speak to a physician first. Related categories sit under Health & Wellness.

Good to know

The bottle prints a caution paragraph in full, and it is reproduced here as printed rather than condensed: "For adults only at bedtime. Not for pregnant or nursing women. May cause drowsiness. Do not use in conjunction with alcoholic beverages, when driving a vehicle, or while operating machinery. Consult physician if taking medication (especially sedatives and anti-depressants) or have a medical condition (including depression, high blood pressure and epilepsy). Keep out of reach of children."

The allergen statement on the panel reads: "Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens." That is a statement about what the product is not manufactured with, and it is paired with a note that the same facility handles those allergens.

One packaging detail is printed on the bottle: it is made from 100% PCR, or post-consumer recycled, resin. The NCCIH overview of dietary and herbal supplements gives general background on using supplements alongside other medicines.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many capsules come in the bottle?

Sixty vegetarian capsules come in the bottle, as stated on the front panel. The Supplement Facts panel gives the serving as one capsule, so a full bottle is a 60-serving supply. The panel prints no servings line of its own; the 60 figure is arithmetic from the capsule count and the one-capsule serving.

Is this product suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes — the front of the bottle is marked "Vegetarian/Vegan". The capsule shell is hypromellose, which the Supplement Facts panel identifies as a cellulose capsule, so the shell is not gelatin. The label makes no statement about the origin of the other declared ingredients.

What is in the capsule besides melatonin?

Three other substances are declared: microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose as the capsule itself, and ascorbyl palmitate. The panel lists these under "Other ingredients" without assigning any of them a purpose, and nothing else appears on the ingredient line.

Does the label mention allergens?

Yes, the panel carries a nine-item allergen statement. It says the product is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients, and adds that it is produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing those allergens. If you have a known allergy, read that second sentence as carefully as the first.

How is my order packaged for delivery?

Your order ships in a plain, unbranded outer carton. It will not show the Gear Isle name. The bottle travels inside that carton in its own manufacturer packaging.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.