Does Beritol Make You Sleepy? Understanding the Ingredients That Affect Sleep

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

According to product information, Beritol tablets contain melatonin, an ingredient known to regulate the body's sleep-wake cycle. Therefore, the answer to 'Does Beritol make you sleepy?' is yes, primarily due to this key ingredient, but also potentially due to other active components and individual physiological responses. This comprehensive guide explores why and how the supplement affects your sleep and provides strategies for managing any unwanted side effects.

Quick Summary

Beritol tablets can cause sleepiness due to the inclusion of melatonin, a sleep-regulating hormone. Other ingredients, such as berberine, may also contribute to drowsiness, particularly in conjunction with other sedatives or low blood sugar. Factors like dosage, timing, and interactions with other substances can influence the supplement's sedative effects.

Key Points

Contains Melatonin: Beritol includes melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, which is the primary reason for its potential to cause sleepiness.
Berberine's Role: The ingredient berberine can contribute to drowsiness, especially if it leads to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or interacts with other sedative medications.
Timing Is Key: To avoid unwanted daytime sleepiness, it is recommended to take Beritol in the evening, closer to bedtime.
Check for Interactions: Berberine can interact with various medications, including sedatives and diabetes drugs, potentially increasing the risk of excessive sleepiness.
Monitor Your Body: Pay close attention to how your body reacts and avoid operating vehicles or machinery until you understand the full effects of the supplement on your alertness.
Consult a Professional: Always talk to your doctor before starting Beritol, particularly if you have other medical conditions or are taking other medications.

What Is Beritol and Why Does It Affect Sleep?

Beritol is a health supplement, not a prescription drug, often recommended for women to help manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and support overall well-being. Unlike single-ingredient medications, Beritol is a multi-component formulation containing vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. The direct link to sleepiness comes from one of its key ingredients: melatonin.

The Role of Melatonin in Beritol

Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness. It helps to regulate the body's circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle, signaling to the body that it is time to sleep. By including melatonin in its formula, Beritol is designed to help improve sleep quality and promote a healthy sleep-wake cycle. This makes drowsiness a deliberate, intended effect, especially when the supplement is taken at the appropriate time before bed.

How Berberine May Contribute to Sleepiness

Berberine is a natural compound found in several plants and is included in Beritol for its ability to help regulate blood sugar levels and enhance insulin sensitivity. While it is not a primary sedative, it can cause sleepiness in certain circumstances.

Hypoglycemia: If berberine causes blood sugar levels to drop too low, a condition known as hypoglycemia can occur. Symptoms of hypoglycemia, including fatigue, dizziness, and shakiness, can feel like drowsiness.
Interactions with Sedatives: Berberine can interact with sedative medications, including those that are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Taking berberine alongside other sedatives can amplify their effects, leading to excessive sleepiness and even respiratory issues.

Other Ingredients and Their Effects

Other components of Beritol, such as myo-inositol, D-chiro inositol, chromium picolinate, and L-methylfolate, support metabolic and hormonal health, but are not typically associated with causing drowsiness. However, a feeling of lethargy or fatigue is a known side effect of many supplements, and individual reactions can vary.

Managing Drowsiness When Taking Beritol

To mitigate unwanted drowsiness from Beritol, consider these practical tips:

Time Your Dose: Since it contains melatonin, Beritol is best taken in the evening before bed to align with your body's natural sleep cycle. Taking it in the morning or midday can cause daytime grogginess.
Monitor Your Response: Everyone reacts differently to supplements. Pay attention to how your body responds to the dosage. If you experience excessive daytime sleepiness, talk to your doctor about adjusting your dose or timing.
Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Before starting or stopping any supplement, including Beritol, consult your doctor. This is especially important if you take other medications, as berberine and other ingredients can have drug interactions.
Avoid Driving if Impaired: MedPlusMart advises against driving or operating machinery if you notice any changes in alertness after ingesting Beritol.

Comparison: Beritol Drowsiness vs. Other Medications

The drowsiness caused by Beritol, which is primarily due to melatonin, differs from the sedative effects of many prescription drugs. The following table provides a comparison of how different drug classes can cause sleepiness.


Feature	Beritol (with Melatonin)	Sedating Antihistamines	Benzodiazepines	Opioids
Mechanism	Promotes natural sleep cycle by signaling darkness.	Blocks histamine, causing sedation as a side effect.	Depress the central nervous system to induce relaxation and sleep.	Act on CNS to reduce pain and cause sedation.
Effect Intensity	Generally mild; intended to aid sleep.	Can cause significant daytime drowsiness.	Often cause strong, noticeable sedation.	Cause strong sedation, especially at higher doses.
Primary Use	Supplement for overall health and PCOS.	Allergy relief.	Anxiety, insomnia, seizures.	Pain management.
Risk of Dependency	Low risk.	Low to moderate risk.	High risk of physical dependency.	High risk of addiction and dependency.

Conclusion

In summary, Beritol can and often does make you sleepy due to the inclusion of melatonin, which helps regulate the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. This effect is generally mild and intended to improve sleep quality. However, other factors, such as the potential for berberine to cause hypoglycemia or interact with other sedatives, can also contribute to drowsiness. It is crucial to take the supplement as directed, ideally in the evening, and to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure it is appropriate for your individual health needs and to avoid any adverse drug interactions. Always pay attention to your body's response and avoid activities like driving if you feel impaired.

For more detailed information on clinical trials and drug interactions related to berberine, consult the National Institutes of Health database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beritol causes sleepiness because it is formulated with melatonin, a hormone that naturally helps regulate the body's sleep-wake cycle. The supplement is designed to aid in improving sleep quality, particularly for individuals with conditions like PCOS.

It is advised to exercise caution. If you notice any abnormal changes in alertness or experience drowsiness after taking Beritol, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you are certain how the supplement affects you.

No, the drowsiness caused by Beritol is generally considered a milder, intended effect of the melatonin ingredient, meant to align with your natural sleep cycle. It is different from the powerful sedative effects of prescription drugs like benzodiazepines.

If you experience excessive daytime drowsiness, you should review your dosage and timing with your healthcare provider. Taking the supplement in the evening, rather than the morning, can help minimize this effect.

While berberine is not a primary sedative, it can indirectly cause sleepiness. This can happen if it lowers your blood sugar too much (hypoglycemia) or if it's taken with other sedative medications, which can amplify the sedative effect.

Anyone taking other sedative medications, diabetic patients at risk of hypoglycemia, and individuals with a history of liver problems should exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider before using Beritol.

Besides drowsiness, Beritol may cause side effects such as nausea, headaches, stomach upset, diarrhea, or constipation. These are usually mild and temporary.