Jet Lag Tablets in Holborn, London — from £14.99
Ways Pharmacy offers a pharmacist-led jet lag service for adults taking long-haul flights across several time zones who have had jet lag before. We are a GPhC-registered pharmacy (premises number 9012227) at 77 Southampton Row, Holborn WC1 — around two minutes' walk from the British Museum. You can start online or come in person. A pharmacist reviews your health, medicines and travel plans before melatonin is supplied, in English or Chinese (中文). If it is not suitable for you, it will not be supplied.
Jet lag service at a glance
| Treatment option | Melatonin 3mg film-coated tablets, supplied under a Patient Group Direction (PGD) after pharmacist assessment |
|---|---|
| Price | £14.99 (10 tablets) · £24.99 (20 tablets) · no separate consultation fee |
| Who it is for | Adults aged 18 and over who have had jet lag before and are taking a long-haul flight, especially across several time zones |
| How it works | Online health questionnaire, ID check and a phone or video call with a pharmacist — or a face-to-face consultation at the pharmacy |
| Pharmacist assessment | Your trip and time zones, previous jet lag, pregnancy and breastfeeding, epilepsy, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, liver and kidney health, other medicines and allergies |
| Where and when | 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET · Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Language | English and Chinese (中英文服务) |
Start a jet lag consultation or call 020 8106 7084.
Treatment options and prices
| Option | What it is | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melatonin 3mg film-coated tablets — 10 tablets | Prescription-only medicine. One tablet a night for up to 5 nights after you arrive, and up to 5 nights after you fly home. | £14.99 | Melatonin 3mg |
| Melatonin 3mg film-coated tablets — 20 tablets | The same medicine in a larger pack, for example if the pharmacist advises a 6mg dose (two tablets together), or if you have two long-haul trips planned — in that case please give the dates of both trips in your questionnaire. | £24.99 | Melatonin 3mg |
If melatonin is not suitable for you, you get a full refund, and the pharmacist will give you advice on managing jet lag without medicine.
How to take melatonin for jet lag
- Take the first tablet on the night you arrive, at your usual bedtime in local time. On the following nights, take it about 30 minutes before bed.
- Take one tablet a night for no more than 5 nights. Do the same for up to 5 nights after your return flight.
- Only take it between 8:00pm and 4:00am local time. Taken at the wrong time, melatonin may not work or can make it harder for your body clock to adjust.
- Avoid eating for 2 hours before and 2 hours after each dose. Swallow the tablet whole — do not crush or chew it.
- If one tablet does not help enough, the pharmacist may advise taking two tablets (6mg) together. Use the lowest dose that works, for the shortest time.
- Avoid alcohol while taking melatonin. Melatonin can make you drowsy, so do not drive or use machinery if you feel sleepy.
- Melatonin can be used for up to 16 trips (treatment periods) a year.
Who can use this service
- Adults aged 18 and over
- You have had jet lag before
- You are travelling on a long-haul flight, especially one that crosses several time zones
- You are not pregnant, could not be pregnant and are not breastfeeding
The pharmacist will check your other medicines. Melatonin is not suitable with fluvoxamine, and needs extra care with some other medicines, including cimetidine, quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, carbamazepine, rifampicin, methoxsalen (psoralen), and oestrogens such as the combined contraceptive pill or HRT.
When you should see a GP or get urgent help instead
Melatonin will not be supplied through this service, and the pharmacist will suggest you speak to your GP, if you:
- Are under 18
- Are pregnant, think you could be pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- Have epilepsy, have ever had a seizure, or take medicine for epilepsy
- Have an autoimmune condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or myasthenia gravis
- Have diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance
- Have moderate or severe kidney or liver disease
- Have a rare hereditary problem with galactose or lactose (galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption)
- Have ongoing sleep problems that are not linked to travel — this service is only for jet lag
After a long flight, call NHS 111 if you have pain, swelling or warmth in one leg, which can be signs of a blood clot (DVT). Call 999 if you have chest pain or sudden breathlessness.
How it works
- Choose your pack and pay. Select 10 or 20 tablets, or call 020 8106 7084. There is no separate consultation fee. If the pack you chose is not right for you, the pharmacist may suggest another option, or you get a full refund.
- Complete the health questionnaire and confirm your identity. After payment you fill in a questionnaire about your health, medicines and trip. To confirm your identity, upload a photo ID, or show your ID to the pharmacist on a video call.
- Pharmacist speaks with you by phone or video. For every order, the pharmacist speaks with you to confirm that melatonin is suitable and explains how and when to take it.
- If suitable, your medicine is posted from Holborn or ready to collect; if not, you get a full refund. Orders approved by the pharmacist before 3:00pm on a weekday are dispatched the same day. Collection from the pharmacy is available once your order is approved. See our shipping policy for delivery options and charges. Please order in good time before you travel.
You can also have the consultation face to face at the pharmacy.
Tips to reduce jet lag
- Get enough sleep in the days before you travel
- If it suits your trip, start shifting your sleep times towards the destination time a few days before you go, and switch to destination time once you board
- Eat light meals on the flight and sleep when you can
- After you arrive, move to the local schedule as soon as possible and spend time outside in daylight
- Set an alarm so you do not oversleep in the morning
Jet lag is usually worst in the first days after travel and improves gradually over 4 to 6 days.
Why choose Ways Pharmacy
- A pharmacist speaks with you for every order — melatonin is not supplied on a questionnaire alone
- Price shown before you start, no separate consultation fee, and a full refund if treatment is not suitable
- Consultation in Chinese (中文) or English by a GPhC-registered pharmacist
- Pharmacy at 77 Southampton Row, near Holborn and Russell Square stations, for collection on weekdays
- Prepare for your whole trip in one place: travel vaccinations, malaria tablets and altitude sickness tablets
Frequently asked questions
How much are jet lag tablets at Ways Pharmacy?
Melatonin 3mg costs £14.99 for 10 tablets or £24.99 for 20 tablets. There is no separate consultation fee, and melatonin is supplied only if the pharmacist assesses that it is suitable for you.
How many tablets do I need?
At the usual dose of one tablet a night, 10 tablets cover up to 5 nights after you arrive and up to 5 nights after you return home. The pharmacist will help you choose the right pack.
When should I take melatonin?
Take the first tablet at your usual bedtime on the night you arrive, then about 30 minutes before bed on the following nights. Only take it between 8:00pm and 4:00am local time, and avoid food for 2 hours before and after.
Should I take melatonin on the plane?
No. The first dose is taken at bedtime after you arrive at your destination. Taking melatonin at the wrong time can stop it working or make jet lag harder to adjust to.
Can I get melatonin without a consultation?
No. In the UK melatonin is a prescription-only medicine. Through this service it is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.
What are the side effects of melatonin?
The most common are headache and drowsiness. Less common effects include dizziness, restlessness, unusual dreams, stomach ache and dry mouth. Stop and seek medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as a rash, swelling or difficulty breathing.
Can I use melatonin for sleep problems at home?
No. This service is only for jet lag from long-haul travel. If you have ongoing difficulty sleeping, speak to your GP.
Can teenagers use this service?
No. This service is for adults aged 18 and over. Under-18s should see their GP for advice on jet lag.
Suspected side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
This page gives factual information about pharmacy services and medicines. Any medicine is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.
Ways Pharmacy
77 Southampton Row, Holborn, London WC1B 4ET
Telephone: 020 8106 7084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am–6:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday
Around 2 minutes' walk from the British Museum, near Holborn station
GPhC-registered pharmacy premises: 9012227 · About Ways Pharmacy
