An Early Phase 1 interventional study of Inhaled Melatonin (100 μg) and Oral Melatonin (4 mg) in Insomnia, sponsored by Woolcock Institute of Medical Research. Recruiting at 1 site in Australia. Open to participants aged 55 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-07-18.
Sponsored by Woolcock Institute of Medical Research · Early Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the potential benefits of an inhaled version of melatonin compared to oral melatonin tablets on adults with insomnia. The main question the trial aims to answer: is the time required for inhaled melatonin to reach peak concentration in the blood and then be eliminated from body different to that of oral melatonin tablets, in adults with insomnia?
5 participants will:
This is a randomised open-label cross-over study of an inhaled formulation of melatonin (100 µg) versus oral melatonin tablets (4 mg) in adults with insomnia. The experiments performed for this trial will examine the effects of inhaled and oral drug delivery on the uptake and clearance of inhaled and oral melatonin.
To be enrolled in the trial, participants are required to complete an online pre-screening survey. Eligible participants will be directed to a separate webpage where they will be invited to review and download the Participant Information Sheet (PIS) and asked to provide their contact details and consent for a follow up call/email from the research team to book in a screening visit. At the screening visit, the study team will explain the study to each participant and provide the opportunity to ask any questions. The study team will also ensure participants have had ample time prior to the visit to read and understand the PIS. The consent form will be signed by both the participant and a medical officer and participants. Once participants have joined the efficacy study, they will be randomised into their first treatment group; inhaled melatonin (100 µg) or oral melatonin tablets (4 mg).
Participants will attend the laboratory for a daytime visit where they take the treatment once in the morning then remain at the laboratory over an approximately 8-hour period, providing blood samples every fifteen minutes during the first hour then hourly until 8 hours have passed since treatment. Participants will also be asked to rate their sleepiness on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale each time blood is collected. There will be a 1 week washout period between treatments.
The study will recruit primarily through social media advertisements. The study will be coordinated from the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Macquarie University, NSW, 2113, Australia.
Exclusion Criteria:
100 µg daily of inhaled melatonin delivered by pressurized metered dose inhaler for two weeks before habitual bedtime.
Drug: Inhaled Melatonin (100 μg)
4 mg daily of orally delivered melatonin tablets for two weeks before habitual bedtime.
Drug: Oral Melatonin (4 mg)
An orally inhaled formulation of melatonin delivered by pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) to be taken before bedtime. The pMDI will deliver a total of 100 μg of inhaled melatonin (2 x 50 μg/actuation). The investigational product is produced under Good Manufacturing Practice by Ab Initio Pharma Pty Ltd, a GMP certified manufacturer of pharmaceutical products.
Also known as: Melatonin, N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine
Two orally ingested tablets each containing 2 mg of melatonin (4 mg total) to be taken before bedtime. The investigational product is manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice and is compliant with the TGA Therapeutic Order #101 that stipulates quality control requirements for capsule and pill-based products used in Australia.
Also known as: N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, Circadin, Melatonin
Time to maximum Melatonin concentration
Time to peak concentration (Tmax) of blood-based melatonin, analysed by melatonin ELISA.
Time frame: 0-8 hours post-treatment.
Melatonin area under the curve
Area under the curve (AUC) of blood-based melatonin analysed by melatonin ELISA.
Time frame: 0-8 hours post-treatment.
Maximum blood-based melatonin concentration
Maximum concentration (Cmax) of blood-based melatonin, analysed by melatonin ELISA.
Time frame: 0-8 hours post-treatment.
Melatonin half-life
Half-life (T½) of blood based melatonin, analysed by melatonin ELISA.
Time frame: 0-8 hours post-treatment.
Daytime sleepiness
Participant subjective daytime sleepiness, determined by the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, a 9-point Likert scale (ranging from "Extremely alert" = 1 to "Very sleepy, great effort to keep awake, fighting sleep" = 9).
Time frame: Collected at t0 then every fifteen minutes during the first hour post-treatment, then once hourly until 8 hours post-treatment.
Plan to share: Yes — Non-identifiable IPD will be shared upon reasonable request to the Principal Investigators.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders→
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research