Drug & supplement interaction

Melatonin + Propranolol Hydrochloride

Propranolol Hydrochloride brand name: Hemangeol.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Propranolol Hydrochloride falls into 5 drug categories that Melatonin can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, taking melatonin with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension or hypertension.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions5
EvidenceA
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Melatonin and Propranolol Hydrochloride

These two interact in 5 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 5 Interactions?

Melatonin interacts with whole categories of medication. Propranolol Hydrochloride falls into 5 of those categories, so it can interact with Melatonin in 5 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS

1 of 5

Why this applies to Propranolol Hydrochloride

Propranolol Hydrochloride falls under ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS — the group Melatonin interacts with.

Theoretically, taking melatonin with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension or hypertension.
Some clinical research suggests that taking melatonin decreases blood pressure in healthy adults. Also, melatonin seems to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure at nighttime or untreated essential hypertension. However, melatonin seems to worsen blood pressure in patients who are taking antihypertensive medications. Immediate-release melatonin 5 mg at night in combination with nifedipine GITS (Procardia XL) increases systolic blood pressure an average of 6.5 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure by an average of 4.9 mmHg, and heart rate by 3.9 bpm. Also, results from animal research suggest that melatonin reduces the effectiveness of certain antihypertensive drugs, including methoxamine and clonidine.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence A

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's something worth knowing about this pairing. Propranolol (Hemangeol) is a beta blocker, and in infants it's used to shrink those strawberry-colored hemangiomas by relaxing and narrowing blood vessels. Interestingly, some good-quality research suggests melatonin can actually push back against blood pressure medicines, meaning it may blunt how well propranolol does its job. There were also small studies where melatonin nudged blood pressure and heart rate up a bit in people already on these drugs.

For a tiny infant, even small shifts in blood pressure or heart rate matter, so this isn't something to wing on your own. Please don't give melatonin to a baby on propranolol without talking to your pediatrician or pharmacist first. Honestly, melatonin isn't routinely recommended for infants anyway, so a quick conversation is the safest move.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Arangino S, Cagnacci A, Angiolucci M, et al. Effects of melatonin on vascular reactivity, catecholamine levels, and blood pressure in healthy men. Am J Cardiol 1999;83:1417-9. PubMed
  2. Lusardi P, et al. Cardiovascular effects of melatonin in hypertensive patients well controlled by nifedipine: a 24-hour study. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2000;49:423-7. PubMed
  3. Cagnacci, A., Arangino, S., Angiolucci, M., Melis, G. B., Facchinetti, F., Malmusi, S., and Volpe, A. Effect of exogenous melatonin on vascular reactivity and nitric oxide in postmenopausal women: role of hormone replacement therapy. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf PubMed
  4. Kitajima, T., Kanbayashi, T., Saitoh, Y., Ogawa, Y., Sugiyama, T., Kaneko, Y., Sasaki, Y., Aizawa, R., and Shimisu, T. The effects of oral melatonin on the autonomic function in healthy subjects. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001;55(3):299-300. PubMed
  5. Scheer, F. A., Van Montfrans, G. A., van Someren, E. J., Mairuhu, G., and Buijs, R. M. Daily nighttime melatonin reduces blood pressure in male patients with essential hypertension. Hypertension 2004;43(2):192-197. PubMed
  6. Cagnacci, A., Cannoletta, M., Renzi, A., Baldassari, F., Arangino, S., and Volpe, A. Prolonged melatonin administration decreases nocturnal blood pressure in women. Am J Hypertens. 2005;18(12 Pt 1):1614-1618. PubMed
  7. Weekley, L. B. Melatonin-induced relaxation of rat aorta: interaction with adrenergic agonists. J Pineal Res 1991;11(1):28-34. PubMed
  8. Grossman, E., Laudon, M., Yalcin, R., Zengil, H., Peleg, E., Sharabi, Y., Kamari, Y., Shen-Orr, Z., and Zisapel, N. Melatonin reduces night blood pressure in patients with nocturnal hypertension. Am J Med 2006;119(10):898-902. PubMed
  9. Grossman, E., Laudon, M., and Zisapel, N. Effect of melatonin on nocturnal blood pressure: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Vasc.Health Risk Manag. 2011;7:577-584. PubMed
  10. Cagnacci, A., Arangino, S., Angiolucci, M., Maschio, E., and Melis, G. B. Influences of melatonin administration on the circulation of women. Am J Physiol 1998;274(2 Pt 2):R335-R338. PubMed
Moderate

SEIZURE THRESHOLD LOWERING DRUGS

2 of 5

Propranolol Hydrochloride also falls under SEIZURE THRESHOLD LOWERING DRUGS.

Theoretically, taking melatonin with drugs that lower the seizure threshold might increase the risk of seizure activity.
Some clinical evidence suggests that melatonin may increase the frequency of seizures in certain patients, particularly children with neurological disabilities.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's something worth knowing if your little one is on propranolol oral solution (Hemangeol) for an infant hemangioma. Both melatonin and beta blockers like propranolol can, in theory, nudge the brain's seizure threshold a little lower. The concern on file is that combining them might slightly raise the chance of seizure activity, and this has been noted mostly in children with existing neurological conditions.

I want to be honest about how soft this evidence is. It's theoretical, based on how these drugs work, not proven in babies on propranolol for hemangiomas. Still, since this involves an infant, please don't give melatonin alongside it without checking first. A quick call to your pediatrician or pharmacist is the safest move here.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Sheldon SH. Pro-convulsant effects of oral melatonin in neurologically disabled children. Lancet 1998;351:1254. PubMed
  2. Stewart LS. Endogenous melatonin and epileptogenesis: facts and hypothesis. Int J Neurosci 2001;107:77-85.. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

3 of 5

Propranolol Hydrochloride also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, melatonin might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2. Also, other CYP1A2 substrates might decrease the metabolism of melatonin, increasing melatonin levels.
Melatonin is metabolized in the liver primarily by the CYP2C19 and CYP1A2 enzymes. Theoretically, combined administration of melatonin with drugs metabolized by the CYP1A2 enzyme might reduce the metabolism of these drugs, resulting in increased serum levels. Conversely, some drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 may inhibit the metabolism of melatonin, resulting in increased serum levels of melatonin. Until more is known, use melatonin cautiously in patients taking drugs metabolized by these enzymes.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the short version: your liver uses an enzyme called CYP1A2 to help clear propranolol. Melatonin can, in theory, slow that enzyme down a bit. If that happens, a little more propranolol could hang around in the body, which might nudge its effects up. For an infant taking the oral solution (Hemangeol) for a hemangioma, that could mean things like a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, sleepiness, or low blood sugar showing up more easily.

I want to be honest, though: this concern is theoretical, based on how these substances behave in the lab, not on strong real-world reports. It's worth a quick chat with your pediatrician or pharmacist before giving melatonin alongside propranolol, especially in a small baby. Please don't start or stop anything on your own.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Yeleswaram, K., Vachharajani, N., and Santone, K. Involvement of cytochrome P-450 isozymes in melatonin metabolism and clinical implications. J Pineal Res 1999;26(3):190-191. PubMed
  2. Faber, M. S., Jetter, A., and Fuhr, U. Assessment of CYP1A2 activity in clinical practice: why, how, and when? Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2005;97(3):125-134. PubMed
  3. Foster BC, Cvijovic K, Boon HS, et al. Melatonin Interaction Resulting in Severe Sedation. J Pharm Pharm Sci 2015;18(2):124-31. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES

4 of 5

Propranolol Hydrochloride also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, melatonin might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19. Also, other CYP2C19 substrates might decrease the metabolism of melatonin, increasing melatonin levels.
Melatonin is metabolized in the liver primarily by the CYP2C19 and CYP1A2 enzymes. Theoretically, combined administration of melatonin with certain drugs metabolized by the CYP2C19 enzyme may reduce the metabolism of these drugs, resulting in increased serum levels. Conversely, some drugs metabolized by CYP2C19 may inhibit the metabolism of melatonin, resulting in increased serum levels of melatonin. Until more is known, use melatonin cautiously in patients taking drugs metabolized by these enzymes.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist: your liver uses an enzyme called CYP2C19 to help clear propranolol, and melatonin can theoretically slow that enzyme down a little. If propranolol clears more slowly, levels could nudge upward. Since propranolol is an active drug (not a prodrug), higher levels would mean a stronger beta-blocker effect, things like a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, or more tiredness. In the tiny infants who take the Hemangeol oral solution, that matters more, so parents should watch for unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, or a sluggish, cool appearance.

That said, this concern is theoretical, based on how the drugs work on paper rather than real-world reports. Still, before giving melatonin alongside propranolol, please check with your pharmacist or the prescribing doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Yeleswaram, K., Vachharajani, N., and Santone, K. Involvement of cytochrome P-450 isozymes in melatonin metabolism and clinical implications. J Pineal Res 1999;26(3):190-191. PubMed
  2. Faber, M. S., Jetter, A., and Fuhr, U. Assessment of CYP1A2 activity in clinical practice: why, how, and when? Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2005;97(3):125-134. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

5 of 5

Propranolol Hydrochloride also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, melatonin might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Laboratory research suggests that certain lots of melatonin inhibit CYP2D6. Theoretically, combined administration of melatonin with certain drugs metabolized by the CYP2D6 enzyme may reduce the metabolism of these drugs, resulting in increased serum levels. Until more is known, use melatonin cautiously in patients taking drugs metabolized by these enzymes.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for your little one. Propranolol is partly broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP2D6. Some early lab studies hint that melatonin might slow that enzyme down a bit. In theory, that could let propranolol build up slightly, which might mean a touch more of its usual effects, like a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, sleepiness, or cooler hands and feet.

I want to be honest about how soft this is. It comes only from test-tube research, not real-world cases, and it's rated as a minor, possible interaction. For most infants this won't cause a problem. Still, since propranolol in babies needs careful dosing, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding melatonin rather than starting it on your own.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Foster BC, Cvijovic K, Boon HS, et al. Melatonin Interaction Resulting in Severe Sedation. J Pharm Pharm Sci 2015;18(2):124-31. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Melatonin Also Interacts With Other Medications

Melatonin has 1,115 moderate, 345 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Propranolol Hydrochloride one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,115 Minor 345 No known interaction 1,370 (incl. Propranolol Hydrochloride)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Melatonin

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Melatonin. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Melatonin or Propranolol Hydrochloride

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Melatonin or Propranolol Hydrochloride, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Propranolol Hydrochloride

This page covers Melatonin only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Propranolol Hydrochloride page lists 236 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Indian Snakeroot (major) and Tyramine (major).

Open the Propranolol Hydrochloride interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Melatonin as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 2,885 real supplement products containing Melatonin, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Melatonin. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Propranolol Hydrochloride too, on top of Melatonin — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Melatonin and Propranolol Hydrochloride Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Melatonin
Top 5%

#55 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Propranolol Hydrochloride
Top half

#975 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Melatonin

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin
  • Trouble falling asleep (insomnia)
  • Jet lag
  • Delayed sleep phase syndrome
  • Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder
  • Shift-work sleep problems
  • Sleep problems in some children with conditions like autism or ADHD

Melatonin is a hormone your body makes naturally to help control your sleep-wake cycle, and the supplement form is widely used to help with sleep timing problems and jet lag. The evidence is strongest for certain circadian (body-clock) disorders and is more mixed for everyday insomnia. It is generally well tolerated for short-term use, but talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially for children or during pregnancy.

Read the full Melatonin monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Propranolol (Infantile Hemangioma)

What Is Propranolol (Infantile Hemangioma) Used For?

Brand name: Hemangeol

This intravenous (IV) form of propranolol is used in hospital settings to treat serious, life-threatening heart rhythm problems. It works on several types of abnormal rhythms, including those that happen during anesthesia or are caused by drug toxicity.

Specific uses include fast heart rhythms coming from the upper chambers of the heart (supraventricular tachycardia), dangerous rhythms caused by too much digitalis in the body, and certain fast rhythms triggered by excess stress hormones (catecholamines) during surgery.

See full Propranolol (Infantile Hemangioma) drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Melatonin

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Melatonin — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
1,115Moderate
345Minor
1,369No known interaction
1,115 Moderate 345 Minor 1,369 No interaction
Moderate

1,115 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,115 moderate interactions — see all 1,115 on the Melatonin page.

Minor

345 interactions

Showing 60 of 345 minor interactions — see all 345 on the Melatonin page.

No interaction 1,369 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Melatonin against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,369 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Melatonin list.

See the full Melatonin interactions page
See every supplement checked against Propranolol Hydrochloride, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Melatonin monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Propranolol Hydrochloride supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Propranolol Hydrochloride, ranked by severity Propranolol (Infantile Hemangioma) drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Melatonin and Propranolol Hydrochloride Together: Common Questions

Can you take Melatonin with Propranolol Hydrochloride?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 5 interactions listed for Melatonin and Propranolol Hydrochloride?
Propranolol Hydrochloride belongs to more than one drug category, and Melatonin interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Melatonin and Propranolol Hydrochloride interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Propranolol Hydrochloride and Melatonin?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.