(New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, Miami), with a five to eight hour time difference
Don’t let time zones ruin your first few days away. Our local experts provide personalised jet lag care including prescription melatonin to help you hit the ground running.
Getting jet lag treatment at Ingrave Pharmacy is straightforward and does not require a GP referral.
Use our online booking system to arrange a consultation. We offer Monday to Friday appointments.
Discuss your travel plans and medical history with our prescriber to assess your treatment suitability.
If suitable, receive your melatonin prescription and usage guidance, available for collection during your visit.
Jet lag happens when your body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, falls out of step with the local time at your destination. It most commonly affects travellers crossing three or more time zones, particularly on eastward journeys.
Flying east disrupts your sleep cycle more severely than flying west. Your body needs roughly one day per time zone crossed to naturally readjust without support.
Common symptoms include:
Symptoms typically begin within a day of arrival and can last for several days, sometimes longer depending on how many time zones you have crossed.
Jet lag treatment is suitable for anyone whose travel plans are disrupted by time zone changes. It is particularly useful for:
Who travel internationally on a regular basis and need to function at full capacity on arrival.
Who cannot afford to spend their first few days abroad feeling fatigued and unfocused.
Who cross multiple time zones repeatedly throughout their working year and experience ongoing circadian disruption.
Travelling to or from their home countries for academic commitments.
Who want to make the most of their trip from day one rather than losing time to exhaustion.
Whose performance depends on being mentally sharp and physically rested immediately after travel.
Who are already dealing with disrupted sleep patterns and find the combined effect particularly difficult to manage.
Jet lag is most pronounced on long-haul routes that cross several time zones. Flights to and from the following destinations commonly result in significant circadian disruption:
Melatonin is the main evidence-based treatment for jet lag. It is a hormone produced naturally by the body to regulate the sleep and wake cycle. In the UK, melatonin for jet lag is available on prescription only and cannot be purchased over the counter.
At Ingrave Pharmacy, our Independent Prescriber can assess your suitability and issue a private prescription during your consultation. You can collect your medication in the same appointment.
Melatonin works by helping to shift your circadian rhythm in line with your new time zone. Taken at the right time and dose, it shortens the time it takes your body to adjust.
Melatonin is generally well tolerated, but as with any medication, some people do experience side effects. These are usually mild and short-lived.
To make the most of your consultation, please bring the following:
Including departure dates, destinations, and arrival times in local time
Including any supplements or over-the-counter products you take regularly
Particularly any conditions affecting sleep, mental health, or your liver and kidneys
Such as insomnia or diagnosed sleep disorders
Melatonin for jet lag requires a prescription in the UK. Christopher Okworu is a qualified Independent Prescriber with a special interest in travel medicine, meaning you receive a full clinical assessment, not just an over-the-counter recommendation.
Jet lag treatment sits alongside antimalarials, travel vaccinations, altitude sickness advice, and Yellow Fever certification. If you have multiple travel health needs, we can address them all in one visit.
Ingrave Pharmacy holds registered Yellow Fever centre status, one of a limited number of sites in Essex authorised to administer this vaccine and issue the official certificate required for entry to certain countries.
You can book directly with us. There is no need to wait for a GP appointment before accessing prescription travel medication.
The pharmacy has provided community healthcare for more than two decades, with a strong track record backed by genuine patient reviews.
We are open Monday to Friday, with morning and afternoon slots available around a midday closure, making it accessible for those who work during the day.
We are conveniently located in Ingrave and provide pharmacy services to patients across the wider Brentwood district and beyond.
No. In the UK, melatonin is a prescription-only medicine. You cannot buy it legally over the counter in pharmacies or health shops.
Booking at least one to two weeks before you travel gives you enough time to collect your medication and understand how to use it correctly.
Yes, though melatonin is typically more useful for eastward travel. Your prescriber will advise on the best timing and dosage based on your specific route.
Melatonin for jet lag is generally prescribed for adults. Suitability for younger travellers would be assessed individually during a consultation.
Jet lag treatment, including prescription melatonin, is a private service. Our prescriber will provide you with a private prescription during your consultation.
Do not let jet lag take days away from your trip or your work schedule. Ingrave Pharmacy and Travel Clinic offers fast, convenient access to prescription jet lag treatment in Brentwood.
