Taking melatonin or Ambien (zolpidem) before surgery may be associated with less pain and a smoother recovery afterward, according to new research.Research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 annual meeting in San Diego on Oct.18 found that improving sleep before surgery with one of these two sleep aids could ease anxiety while reducing post-surgical pain and opioid use.The researchers analyzed 16 studies of patients who underwent abdominal, gynecologic, orthopedic, urologic, dental and other surgical procedures between 2000 and 2025.THIS ONE QUESTION MAY REVEAL WHETHER YOUR BODY IS GETTING THE REST IT NEEDS, STUDY FINDSThis amounted to more than 1,100 patients, according to a press release from the American Society of Anesthesiologists.Melatonin may be a better option over traditional sedatives for older adults who may be more likely to experience confusion after surgery, researchers said.
(iStock)Melatonin was typically taken the night before surgery and/or 20 to 90 minutes before anesthesia, with dosages ranging from 1 mg to 20 mg.Ambien, consistently dosed at 10 mg, was taken at bedtime either the night before surgery or for multiple nights up to two days before the procedure.SLEEP APNEA MAY BE QUIETLY CHANGING YOUR BODY IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY, STUDY FINDSAlthough both are used as sleep aids, melatonin and Ambien work differently.Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle, according to the National Institutes of Health.Ambien, or zolpidem, acts on GABA-A receptors in the central nervous system to produce a sedative effect, states FDA prescribing information.Across all studies, melatonin was associated with less anxiety, pain and inflammation, in addition to a more than 30% reduction in opioid use among some abdominal surgery patients.The analysis suggested melatonin could offer advantages over traditional sedatives for older adults, who may be more susceptible to confusion after surgery.
Studies that used activity monito...