Jet Lag

This service is suitable for you if:

• You are aged 18 years or older.
• The time difference between your destination and departure location is more than 3 hours.

This service is not suitable for you if you:

• Are under 18 years of age.
• Are seeking treatment for insomnia, long term sleep problems, or management of shift work patterns.
• Are pregnant, possibly pregnant or trying to conceive.
• Are breastfeeding.
• Are a woman of child-bearing potential who is not using reliable contraception.
• Are using certain medications (listed in our questionnaire).
• Have a history of any of the following:
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Epilepsy/ seizures
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease

If you are not sure you are suitable or you have any questions send us an email to info@webdoctor.ie. 

Jet lag is a combination of physiological and physical symptoms caused by disruption to your body’s natural sleep/ wake cycle. It happens when you travel rapidly across several time zones. This causes a temporary difference in your body’s internal clock and the day/ night cycle at your destination. 

If the time difference at your destination is more than three hours you are more likely to experience jet lag. The greater the time difference, the greater the impact jet lag may have, but this is very individual to each person. 

People will often find it more difficult adjusting when travelling east, as your sleep time needs to be brought forward, compared with travelling west when you need to stay up for longer than usual.

We can issue a prescription for melatonin tablets subject to clinical suitability. Taking melatonin for a few days when you arrive at your destination can help to reduce adjustment time and jet lag symptoms. 

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the brain. It plays an important role in the regulation of the body’s sleep/ wake cycle and when this cycle is disrupted, melatonin can help to restore it. 

To use melatonin for jet lag, take the tablet 30 minutes to an hour before your intended bedtime at your destination (ideally between 8pm and 4am, destination time). 

You should start this treatment the night you arrive at your destination and continue for a few days after arrival (for a maximum of 5 days). Avoid food for 2 hours before and 2 hours after taking melatonin, and avoid alcohol. 

This medication should be used in conjunction with non-medical measures to help reduce jet lag symptoms.

While melatonin is generally considered safe for short-term use, it can have side effects, including:

• Drowsiness or grogginess: Some people feel sleepy or lethargic the next day, and this may impair your ability to perform skilled or complex tasks such as driving or operating machinery.
• Headaches: Mild headaches can occur, especially with higher doses; so please ensure you take it as prescribed.
• Dizziness: You may feel lightheaded or unsteady.
• Nausea: Some individuals experience digestive discomfort.
• Disrupted sleep patterns: Overuse or improper timing can make sleep disturbances worse.

For full details on potential side effects of this medication, please read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication before you start to use it.

If you are concerned that you are developing side effects, we advise that you seek medical advice.

Melatonin should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It can impair fertility and should be avoided by men and women trying to conceive. If your partner is pregnant when you are taking melatonin, a condom should be used during intercourse. 

If you are using contraception or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) containing oestrogen, this may increase the side effects of melatonin (i.e. you may become more drowsy than if you were not using oestrogen). 

Melatonin can cause drowsiness - if you experience this side effect, do not drive/ operate machinery, or perform complex tasks.