Jet Lag

Traveling across time zones can disrupt your sleep, energy, and focus, leaving you feeling tired, irritable, and off-balance. While jet lag usually passes on its own, the right strategies and treatments can help you adjust faster and feel more alert.

Through 123Meds, you can receive expert-approved treatments for jet lag via our UK-registered online pharmacy service, with prescriptions reviewed by clinicians and delivered straight to your door.

Start Your Consultation

UK Prescribers &
pharmacists

100% Discretion on all<br>consultations & orders icon

100% Discretion on all
consultations & orders

Express next day<br>delivery before 3:30PM icon

Express next day
delivery before 3:30PM

Online Prescription<br>Available Now icon

Online Prescription
Available Now

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that occurs when your body’s internal clock becomes out of sync after crossing multiple time zones. It can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, digestive issues, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

Travel fatigue can also result from long journeys, even without a time zone change, due to disrupted routines, dehydration, or prolonged inactivity.

While symptoms usually resolve within a few days, medication and good sleep habits can help your body adjust more quickly and reduce discomfort while travelling.

Jet lag occurs when your body’s internal clock is out of sync with the local time at your destination. Common symptoms include:

Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Daytime fatigue or sleepiness
Poor concentration or memory
Digestive issues (such as constipation or diarrhoea)
Irritability or mood changes
General malaise or feeling unwell

Symptoms usually begin within a day or two of travel and may last for several days, depending on the number of time zones crossed and individual sensitivity.

Jet lag treatments aim to reset your internal body clock and ease symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and poor concentration. The most common option is melatonin, a natural hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. Taken at the right time, melatonin supplements can help your body adjust to a new time zone more quickly.

Other supportive treatments may include sleep aids for short-term use and light exposure techniques to help shift your circadian rhythm. For best results, these should be used alongside good sleep hygiene and travel preparation.

Frequently asked questions

What is jet lag?
Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that happens when you travel across multiple time zones, disrupting your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm). It can affect your sleep, mood, and energy levels.
What are the symptoms of jet lag?
Jet lag can cause a range of symptoms as your body adjusts to a new time zone. The most common include difficulty sleeping at night, daytime tiredness or drowsiness, problems with concentration, and mood changes such as irritability. Some people also experience digestive upset or a general feeling of being unwell until their body clock resets.
How long does jet lag last?
Jet lag usually lasts a few days, but the duration can vary depending on how many time zones you’ve crossed and how quickly your body adapts. As a general rule, it can take 1 day per time zone to fully adjust.
Can jet lag be treated?
Yes. Treatments such as melatonin supplements can help your body adjust to the new time zone more quickly. Short-term use of sleep aids may also be helpful, along with natural approaches like timed light exposure and good sleep hygiene.
When should I take melatonin for jet lag?
Melatonin should be taken at your destination’s local bedtime, typically 30 minutes before you want to sleep. Timing is important, so always follow the instructions provided or consult a healthcare professional.
Can I prevent jet lag?
You can lessen the effects of jet lag by gradually adjusting your sleep schedule in the days before travel. Staying well hydrated helps, while avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime can improve sleep quality. Once you arrive, try to get plenty of natural light exposure to reset your body clock. In some cases, taking melatonin may also help with the adjustment.
Do I need a prescription for melatonin in the UK?
Yes. In the UK, melatonin is a prescription-only medication. At 123Meds, you can complete an online consultation, and if suitable, our UK-registered clinicians can prescribe melatonin for jet lag.