Review of 16 Studies Links Pre-Surgery Melatonin, Ambien to Less Pain, Lower Opioid Use

2.3 · 8d ago · US

The Facts

  • Research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 annual meeting in San Diego on Oct. 18 found that taking melatonin or Ambien (zolpidem) before surgery was associated with less pain and lower opioid use after surgery. Fox News only
  • The scoping review analyzed 16 studies covering more than 1,100 patients who underwent abdominal, gynecologic, orthopedic, urologic, dental and other procedures between 2000 and 2025, according to an American Society of Anesthesiologists press release. Fox News only
  • Melatonin was typically taken the night before surgery and/or 20 to 90 minutes before anesthesia, at doses from 1 mg to 20 mg; Ambien was dosed at 10 mg at bedtime, the night before or for multiple nights up to two days before surgery. Fox News only
  • Across studies, melatonin was associated with less anxiety, pain and inflammation, and a more than 30% reduction in opioid use among some abdominal surgery patients. Fox News only
  • Colorectal surgery patients who took Ambien required less opioid medication during surgery and in the first 24 hours afterward, and had lower inflammation levels. Fox News only
Dive deeper · 2 more factsShow less
  • Hip replacement patients who took Ambien reportedly had less anxiety and depression and greater satisfaction with recovery. Fox News only
  • Because it was a scoping review summarizing existing research, the researchers could not make clinical recommendations or fully assess risk of bias, and said more research is needed. Fox News only

Context

A scoping review presented at a meeting of anesthesiologists found associations between pre-surgery use of melatonin or Ambien and reduced post-surgical pain and opioid consumption. Senior author Dr. Sebastian Amaya of Yale School of Medicine said disrupted sleep can affect pain-related biological pathways.

The analysis suggested melatonin may offer advantages over traditional sedatives for older adults, who may be more prone to post-surgical confusion. The findings are associations from existing studies, not results of a direct treatment trial.

How the Agent Panel Scored This

Independent AI personas each scored importance 1–10; the story's score is a trimmed mean (highest and lowest votes dropped). Vote spread: 1.

3 News Editor This is a scoping review of existing studies presented at a conference, reporting associations rather than a new concrete action or clinical change, so its impact on a limited set of surgical patients is minor.
2 Business Analyst This is a conference-presented scoping review of existing studies, with only associational findings and no clinical recommendations, so it is niche medical research with minimal economic or market impact.
2 Informed Citizen This is a preliminary scoping review presented at a conference, reporting associations from existing studies with no clinical recommendations, so it has limited immediate impact on ordinary people.

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