What is Jet Lag?

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that occurs when you travel quickly across multiple time zones, disrupting your body’s internal “clock” (circadian rhythm). It’s especially common after long-haul flights.

Symptoms of jet lag can include:

  • Daytime sleepiness and fatigue

  • Difficulty falling asleep at night

  • Poor concentration or memory problems

  • Mood changes, irritability or low motivation

  • Digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhoea or nausea

  • Bladder disturbances

For many travellers, jet lag can affect both holiday enjoyment and work performance abroad.

What is Jet Lag?

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that occurs when you travel quickly across multiple time zones, disrupting your body’s internal “clock” (circadian rhythm). It’s especially common after long-haul flights.

Symptoms of jet lag can include:

  • Daytime sleepiness and fatigue

  • Difficulty falling asleep at night

  • Poor concentration or memory problems

  • Mood changes, irritability or low motivation

  • Digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhoea or nausea

  • Bladder disturbances

For many travellers, jet lag can affect both holiday enjoyment and work performance abroad.

Our Jet Lag Service

At Balance Pharmacy, we provide a private jet lag treatment service for adults over 18. After a consultation with one of our pharmacists, you may be supplied with melatonin tablets (a prescription-only medicine) to help reduce jet lag symptoms.

  • Frequent flyers

  • Business travellers crossing multiple time zones

  • Holidaymakers on long-haul flights

Our Jet Lag Service

At Balance Pharmacy, we provide a private jet lag treatment service for adults over 18. After a consultation with one of our pharmacists, you may be supplied with melatonin tablets (a prescription-only medicine) to help reduce jet lag symptoms.

  • Frequent flyers

  • Business travellers crossing multiple time zones

  • Holidaymakers on long-haul flights

WHO IT’S FOR

Who Can Use the Service?

Our pharmacists will assess you and confirm if the service is right for you.

Inclusion Criteria

  • Adults aged 18 years and older

  • Those travelling across multiple time zones on long-haul flights

Exclusion Criteria

This service may not be suitable if:

  • Are under 18

  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Have severe liver or kidney problems

  • Have autoimmune disease

  • Have a history of seizures/epilepsy

  • Take certain medicines that interact with melatonin, including:

    Antidepressants (SSRIs, tryptophan), Benzodiazepines or other hypnotics, Oestrogens (contraceptives or HRT), Warfarin or anticoagulants, Certain antibiotics (quinolones) or rifampicin, CYP1A2 inhibitors (like cimetidine) or inducers (like carbamazepine)

If any of these apply, our pharmacist will recommend alternatives or refer you to your GP.

WHO IT’S FOR

Who Can Use the Service?

Our pharmacists will assess you and confirm if the service is right for you.

Inclusion Criteria

  • Adults aged 18 years and older

  • Those travelling across multiple time zones on long-haul flights

Exclusion Criteria

This service may not be suitable if:

  • Are under 18

  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Have severe liver or kidney problems

  • Have autoimmune disease

  • Have a history of seizures/epilepsy

  • Take certain medicines that interact with melatonin, including:

    Antidepressants (SSRIs, tryptophan), Benzodiazepines or other hypnotics, Oestrogens (contraceptives or HRT), Warfarin or anticoagulants, Certain antibiotics (quinolones) or rifampicin, CYP1A2 inhibitors (like cimetidine) or inducers (like carbamazepine)

If any of these apply, our pharmacist will recommend alternatives or refer you to your GP.

If suitable, our pharmacists can supply:

Medicine: Melatonin 2mg prolonged-release tablets

How it works: Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Supplementing it can help re-align your body clock after long flights.

  • Take 1 x 2mg tablet 30–60 minutes before bedtime at your destination

  • Swallow whole (do not crush)

  • Maximum: 5 days of use

  • Quantity supplied: Up to 10 tablets (enough to cover a return long-haul journey)

Note: Melatonin is licensed in the UK for insomnia in over-55s but not specifically for jet lag. Its use here is considered “off-label,” but supported by clinical guidance and evidence of benefit.

Side effects are generally mild and uncommon with short-term use. They may include: Drowsiness or sleepiness, Headache or dizziness, Abnormal dreams or vivid dreams, Digestive upset (nausea, abdominal pain), Mood changes (irritability, anxiety)

Avoid alcohol during treatment, as it reduces melatonin’s effectiveness. Smoking can also lower melatonin levels.

Seek medical advice if you experience persistent or severe side effects.

If suitable, our pharmacists can supply:

Medicine: Melatonin 2mg prolonged-release tablets

How it works: Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Supplementing it can help re-align your body clock after long flights.

  • Take 1 x 2mg tablet 30–60 minutes before bedtime at your destination

  • Swallow whole (do not crush)

  • Maximum: 5 days of use

  • Quantity supplied: Up to 10 tablets (enough to cover a return long-haul journey)

Note: Melatonin is licensed in the UK for insomnia in over-55s but not specifically for jet lag. Its use here is considered “off-label,” but supported by clinical guidance and evidence of benefit.

Side effects are generally mild and uncommon with short-term use. They may include: Drowsiness or sleepiness, Headache or dizziness, Abnormal dreams or vivid dreams, Digestive upset (nausea, abdominal pain), Mood changes (irritability, anxiety)

Avoid alcohol during treatment, as it reduces melatonin’s effectiveness. Smoking can also lower melatonin levels.

Seek medical advice if you experience persistent or severe side effects.

FAQs

It may not remove jet lag entirely, but it significantly reduces symptoms and helps your body adjust faster.

Yes, when used short-term and for appropriate patients. Our pharmacists will check for any health risks or medicine interactions first.

No, melatonin is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. It must be supplied through a regulated service like ours.

We recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks before your trip so we can assess you and supply the right amount of treatment.

Yes, but it should be used short-term only. Frequent users may need medical review.

Book Your Jet Lag Consultation Today

Reduce the impact of jet lag on your next trip. Book a private consultation at Balance Pharmacy, Uttoxeter.

Quick, confidential, and designed to help you travel better.

Book online now or call us on 01889 562063 to speak with a member of our pharmacy team.