Long-haul flights can leave you feeling exhausted, disoriented, and unable to sleep properly for days after you land. At Putney Pharmacy, our Jet Lag Service offers a private consultation and, where clinically appropriate, a short course of medication to help you reset your sleep pattern and get back on track faster, whether you are travelling for work or heading off on holiday.
Jet lag happens when your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, falls out of sync with the time zone you have travelled to. Crossing multiple time zones disrupts the natural release of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, irritability, and digestive upset. Generally, the more time zones crossed, the more pronounced the symptoms, and eastward travel tends to feel worse than travelling west, since it asks your body to fall asleep earlier than it is used to rather than stay awake later.
During your consultation, our pharmacist will discuss your travel itinerary, including the time zones involved and the direction of travel, alongside your general health and any medicines you currently take. This helps us understand whether a short course of treatment is suitable for you and how best to time it around your flight.
Where appropriate, a short course of melatonin may be offered on a private prescription basis to help realign your body clock. Melatonin is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, and dosing and timing are tailored to your specific journey, so the pharmacist will confirm exactly when and how to take it as part of your consultation. Our pharmacist will also talk you through simple non-medicated strategies, such as adjusting your sleep schedule before you travel and managing light exposure on arrival, which can make a real difference alongside any treatment.
Your consultation is private and typically takes just a few minutes. The pharmacist will ask about your outbound and return flight dates, the number of time zones you are crossing, and whether you have experienced jet lag on previous trips. They will also check your medical history and current medicines to rule out any interactions or reasons why melatonin might not be suitable for you. Once everything has been reviewed, the pharmacist will explain the recommended timing for your course, so you know exactly when to start taking it in the lead-up to and following your flight.
| Service | Price | Course Length |
|---|---|---|
| Jet Lag Consultation and Treatment | £30 | Short course, timed around your travel dates |
This service is designed for adults travelling across three or more time zones who want to minimise the impact of jet lag on their trip, whether for business, family visits, or holidays. It may not be suitable for everyone, so our pharmacist will check your individual circumstances during the consultation.
| Consideration | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | Melatonin is not routinely recommended, so the pharmacist will discuss alternatives. |
| Other sedating medicines | Combining melatonin with certain medicines can increase drowsiness. |
| Epilepsy or liver conditions | These conditions may affect whether melatonin is appropriate for you. |
| Driving or operating machinery | You should avoid this for several hours after taking melatonin. |
Alongside any treatment, a few simple habits can help your body adjust more quickly. Try shifting your sleep and meal times gradually in the days before you fly, so they are closer to your destination’s schedule. Stay well hydrated during the flight and limit alcohol and caffeine, as both can disrupt sleep quality. On arrival, spend time outdoors in natural daylight where possible, since light exposure is one of the strongest signals your body uses to reset its internal clock. If your sleep problems continue well beyond your trip, it is worth speaking to your GP, and the NHS insomnia page has further general guidance on improving sleep.
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Private consultation | One-to-one review of your travel plans, health, and current medicines |
| Personalised timing plan | Guidance on when to start and stop your course around your flight dates |
| Short course of treatment | Supplied where clinically appropriate, following your consultation |
Booking a GP appointment before a trip is not always practical, especially when travel plans come together quickly. Our Jet Lag Service gives you a fast, private route to expert advice and treatment, without the wait, so you can focus on enjoying your trip rather than recovering from it.
Ready to travel with confidence? Book your Jet Lag Service consultation below and let our pharmacist help you arrive feeling like yourself.
