Jet Lag

Jet Lag

What Is Jet Lag?

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder caused by travelling across multiple time zones. It happens when your body’s internal clock — also known as your circadian rhythm — becomes misaligned with the local time at your destination.

Symptoms can vary from mild to disruptive and usually last a few days. While jet lag resolves on its own, treatment can help your body adjust more quickly and improve the quality of your sleep while travelling.
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Common Symptoms of Jet Lag

Jet lag can affect both your physical and mental state. Symptoms typically appear within a day or two of long-distance travel and may include:

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Daytime fatigue or drowsiness
• Poor concentration or memory
• Mood changes, including irritability
• Digestive discomfort or loss of appetite
• A general feeling of being “out of sync”

Symptoms are often worse when travelling east (e.g., from the UK to Asia) as your body finds it harder to shift to an earlier time.

What Causes Jet Lag?

Jet lag occurs when your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle doesn’t match the new time zone. Your internal clock is still running on your home time, which can affect when you feel alert or sleepy, as well as hormone production, digestion, and mood.

Factors that influence jet lag severity include:

• The number of time zones crossed
• Direction of travel (eastward trips usually feel harder)
• Your sleep habits before travel
• Stress and alcohol intake during the journey

People who travel frequently — such as business travellers, athletes, or shift workers — may be more likely to experience ongoing sleep disruption from repeated time zone changes.

Treatment Options for Jet Lag

Jet lag typically improves after a few days as your body adjusts to the new local time. However, treatment can help speed up that adjustment, especially if you need to be alert, rested, and functional soon after arrival.

Melatonin-Based Treatments

Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body to regulate sleep. Taking melatonin supplements can help your body adjust to a new sleep schedule more quickly by encouraging sleep at the right time in your destination time zone.

At MedsDoctor, the following options may be offered (following an online consultation):
• Melatonin
• Circadin (2mg prolonged-release melatonin)

These products may help improve sleep quality and reduce the time it takes to adapt to new time zones. They are typically used short-term and are most effective when taken at a consistent time in the evening at your destination.

Treatment may not be suitable for everyone, and a healthcare professional will assess your medical history before prescribing.

How We Can Help

We offer professional, discreet access to jet lag treatment through our online pharmacy service. Our process is designed to be convenient and secure:
• Complete a short online consultation
• A licensed prescriber reviews your assessment
• If appropriate, treatment is prescribed and delivered discreetly within the UK

We’re here to support travellers who want to feel more rested, focused, and balanced after long-haul flights.

Start Your Online Jet Lag Consultation

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that occurs when your body’s internal clock is disrupted by travelling across time zones. It can cause fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration, irritability, and digestive issues.

Jet lag symptoms usually resolve within a few days, but treatment can help speed up adjustment and improve sleep quality. MedsDoctor offers melatonin-based treatment options that are commonly used to manage jet lag symptoms.

Simply fill in our online assessment form to start your consultation.

Jet Lag FAQs

How long does jet lag last?

Jet lag typically lasts for a few days. A general rule is that it takes about one day per time zone crossed to fully adjust.

Do I need a prescription for melatonin?

In the UK, melatonin is a prescription-only medicine. Our pharmacy offers access to licensed treatments following a clinical consultation.

Can I prevent jet lag entirely?

Jet lag can’t always be prevented, but adjusting your sleep schedule before travel, staying hydrated, and using treatment where appropriate may reduce symptoms.