Jet lag
Symptoms
- Difficulty sleeping at the local bedtime
- Waking up too early
- Daytime fatigue and tiredness
- Difficulty concentrating
- General malaise
Who this service is for
- Adults aged 18 and over
- Those travelling across 3 or more time zones
- People who need to function quickly after arrival
This service is not suitable for
- Those with sleep apnoea
- People with myasthenia gravis
- Those with severe liver problems
- People with a history of substance misuse or dependence
- Anyone already taking a sedative, hypnotic or opioid medicine
- Anyone who will drive or operate machinery within 12 hours of a dose
- Anyone under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding
When to seek urgent care
Contact your GP or seek emergency care immediately if you experience:
- Severe insomnia not related to travel
- Breathing difficulties during sleep
- Needing sleeping tablets to sleep at home, or on most nights
- Having previously found it hard to stop sleeping tablets
Treatment information
Short-term treatments may help reset your body clock when travelling across time zones. Your clinician will assess suitability and recommend the safest option, which may be a non-medicine approach. How we supply these medicines: • Short-term use only. A maximum of three to five nights' supply, in line with BNF guidance. These medicines are not licensed or appropriate for regular or long-term use. • One supply per trip. We do not issue repeat supplies, and we do not hold a repeat order for you. • No same-day driving. These medicines can impair alertness, reaction time and judgement into the following day. Do not drive or operate machinery within 12 hours of a dose. Driving while impaired is a criminal offence. • No alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while taking these medicines, including on the flight. • Dependence risk. Taken regularly, these medicines can cause tolerance and dependence. If you are already using sleeping tablets, speak to your GP rather than requesting a supply here. • GP notification. With your consent, we will tell your GP what has been supplied. If you need help sleeping on most nights, this is not the right service. Please speak to your GP.
Prescription treatment is only supplied following a clinical assessment. If treatment is not clinically appropriate, you will not be charged for medication.
Reviewed by
Anand Sharma
MRPharmS, Independent Prescriber
Superintendent Pharmacist (designate)
Important information
This is a private healthcare service. Prescription medications are only supplied following a clinical assessment by a qualified prescriber. Treatment is not guaranteed and will only be provided where clinically appropriate. Alternative options may be discussed.