What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone which may be used to treat jet lag in travelers crossing several time zones. Melatonin occurs naturally in the human body and is involved in regulating our sleep-wake cycle.
How does Melatonin work?
Normally, levels of melatonin increase when it gets dark outside, making you feel sleepy and tired to prepare your body for rest. When you travel to a place with a different time zone, your body clock takes some time to adjust to the change in time. Taking Melatonin can help you to sleep when it is nighttime at your destination and overcome the time zone gap.
How do I use Melatonin?
One tablet of Melatonin 3mg should be taken at your usual bed time when you arrive at your destination, for no longer than 5 days. For frequent fliers, treatment may be taken for a maximum of 16 treatment periods per year.
How long does it take for Melatonin tablets to work?
Once taken, Melatonin tablets start working quickly to help you get to sleep more easily and overcome the time zone gap. Melatonin helps to speed up the process of your internal body clock adjusting to the new time zone while also minimising symptoms of jet lag.
Where can I buy Melatonin in the UK?
You can buy Melatonin 3mg from Pharmica by completing a short consultation. Melatonin tablets cannot be purchased over the counter and require a prescription. Following completion of your online medical consultation, you can get same day or next day delivery to ensure your treatment arrives promptly ahead of travel.
Side Effects
By its nature, Melatonin can cause drowsiness and so when using this medication no activities should be performed which would be dangerous to undertake when drowsy.
Some possible side effects include headache, drowsiness, chest pain, abdominal pain, dizziness, irritated skin, and increased weight.
Information Leaflet
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.
Important: We advise you to always read the patient information leaflet inside the medication box, as the generic medication may not always entirely match the patient information leaflet listed. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Written and reviewed by our qualified team
Authored by:
Carolina Goncalves
Superintendent
Pharmacist
Reviewed by:
Rehma Gill
Pharmacy
Manager
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Content last updated: 15 May 2023