Review of 1,100 Patients Links Pre-Surgery Melatonin, Ambien to Lower Pain and Opioid Use
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 23
Review of 1,100 Patients Links Pre-Surgery Melatonin, Ambien to Lower Pain and Opioid Use
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 23
Summary
Sixteen studies covering more than 1,100 surgical patients found melatonin or Ambien taken before procedures was associated with less post-operative pain, lower anxiety and reduced opioid use.
Melatonin showed the strongest signal, including a more than 30% drop in opioid use in some abdominal surgery patients, while monitored studies also linked it to better sleep and recovery patterns.
Ambien was tied to less pain after colorectal surgery, lower opioid needs during and within 24 hours after surgery, and better satisfaction after hip replacement in patients with sleep problems.
Because the work was a scoping review of studies from 2000 to 2025 rather than a direct trial, researchers said it cannot support clinical recommendations and needs longer follow-up to confirm benefits and bias risks.
Researchers and outside sleep experts said optimizing sleep before surgery could be a practical way to improve recovery, but patients should consult their surgical or anesthesia team before using melatonin or prescription sleep aids.