CVS Pharmacy Melatonin All Natural Strawberry Flavor

Our assessment

The evidence shows that this product contains calcium, a mineral essential for bone health. Our assessment is that while calcium is critical for your body, the data on supplementation is mixed and requires careful consideration of dosage and timing. For most adults, getting calcium from food is preferred, and supplements should only be used to fill a verified gap in your diet.

How it works

Think of calcium as a structural building block for your skeleton. It supports bone mineralization and density, and it also plays a key role in neuromuscular relaxation and nerve signaling [NIH ODS]. Your body relies on a steady supply, but it cannot produce calcium on its own, so you must get it from food or supplements.

Safety profile

Data not available for specific side effects of this product. However, for calcium supplements in general, the FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplements. High calcium intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. Very high levels of calcium in the blood and urine can cause poor muscle tone, poor kidney function, low phosphate levels, constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, frequent need to urinate, abnormal heart rhythms, and a high risk of death from heart disease [NIH ODS].

Our recommendation

Data not available on the specific dosage in this product. If you choose to supplement, you should first assess your dietary calcium intake. Be aware that calcium can reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS]. Our recommendation is to consult your doctor or a pharmacist before starting, especially if you take any of these medications or have a history of kidney stones or heart disease.

Supplement labels contain several key sections regulated by the FDA:

• Serving Size — The recommended amount per dose. Always check this — some products require multiple capsules per serving.
• Amount Per Serving — Shows the quantity of each nutrient in the product, typically in IU (International Units), mg (milligrams), or mcg (micrograms).
• % Daily Value (%DV) — Indicates how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 5% DV or less is low; 20% DV or more is high.
• Other Ingredients — Lists inactive ingredients like fillers, binders, and capsule materials (e.g., gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate).
• Suggested Use — The manufacturer's recommended directions for taking the supplement, including timing and dosage.

Source: FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide