Taking melatonin at the appropriate local bedtime can help your body’s internal clock adjust to the time at your destination.
There is evidence that melatonin can make jet lag symptoms less severe and may reduce the time it takes to recover after a long flight.
The timing of your dose is important, so you should always follow the instructions provided with your treatment.

Jet lag affects everyone differently, but common symptoms include:
difficulty falling asleep at your destination
waking up too early
feeling tired or sleepy during the day
poor-quality sleep
difficulty concentrating or remembering things
feeling generally tired or out of rhythm
Some people may also experience digestive symptoms such as nausea, indigestion, constipation or changes in appetite

Our service is designed for adults travelling across time zones who would like treatment to help manage jet lag.
You’ll complete a short online consultation before treatment is supplied. Our clinical team will review your travel plans, health and current medicines to check whether Melatonin 3mg is appropriate for you.
Melatonin 3mg is licensed for the short-term treatment of jet lag in adults aged 18 and over.

The standard dose of the Melatonin 3mg product is one 3mg tablet once daily for up to 5 days.
Your first dose is normally taken at your usual bedtime after arriving at your destination. It should not be taken before 8pm or after 4am at your destination, because taking melatonin at the wrong time can affect how well it helps your body adjust.
Always follow the directions supplied with your treatment.

For the Melatonin 3mg treatment described here, your first dose should normally be taken after you arrive at your destination, at your usual destination bedtime.
It should not be taken before 8pm or after 4am local time.
Our clinicians will provide clear instructions with your treatment so you know when to start taking it.

Medicine is only one part of managing jet lag. Simple measures can also help your body adjust, including:
changing to your destination’s sleep schedule once you arrive
spending time outside in natural daylight
staying hydrated
avoiding excessive alcohol
avoiding daytime sleeping where possible
eating and sleeping according to the local time
For very short trips of around 2–3 days, the NHS suggests that some travellers may prefer to keep closer to their normal eating and sleeping schedule rather than fully adjusting and then having to readjust shortly afterwards.

Like all medicines, melatonin can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Reported side effects can include symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and drowsiness. You’ll receive a patient information leaflet with your medicine containing the full list of possible side effects and important safety information.
If you’re concerned about a side effect, contact The Kingston Pharmacy for advice.

It’s best to avoid alcohol while taking melatonin.
Alcohol can affect your sleep and may make some symptoms of jet lag, including headache, morning tiredness and difficulty concentrating worse.

Melatonin for jet lag is intended for short-term use.
The usual 3mg dose can be taken once daily for a maximum of 5 days for the treatment of jet lag. You may not need to take it for all five days if your symptoms improve sooner.

Your body has an internal clock that helps regulate when you feel awake and when you feel sleepy. This rhythm is influenced by things such as daylight, darkness and your usual sleeping pattern.
When you travel rapidly to a different time zone, your body clock can remain aligned with the time back home even though the local time has changed. Jet lag is the period while your body adjusts to that difference.