Solutions & prevention
Medicines for Jet lag
A temporary sleep and body-clock disruption after flying across time zones, causing tiredness and poor sleep — which settles as the body adjusts, and can be eased.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Jet lag?
Jet lag is a temporary disturbance that happens after travelling quickly across several time zones, when the body's internal clock (circadian rhythm) is out of step with the local time at the destination. The body clock, which controls sleep, alertness, digestion and other functions, is set largely by light and takes time to adjust to a new time zone.
- How it is treated: Jet lag settles on its own as the body clock adjusts, so the aim is to speed up adjustment and manage symptoms.
- Self-care: Adopt the local time zone straight away (sleeping, eating and being active by local time), use well-timed daylight exposure to reset the body clock, stay hydrated, limit alcohol and caffeine near bedtime, and consider gradually shifting sleep times before travel.
- When to seek help: Jet lag needs no medical attention and settles on its own.
What it is
Jet lag is a temporary disturbance that happens after travelling quickly across several time zones, when the body's internal clock (circadian rhythm) is out of step with the local time at the destination. The body clock, which controls sleep, alertness, digestion and other functions, is set largely by light and takes time to adjust to a new time zone. Until it does, a person can feel tired and sleepy during the day but unable to sleep well at night, along with difficulty concentrating, poor appetite or digestive upset, headaches, and generally feeling unwell or "out of sorts". Jet lag is generally worse the more time zones are crossed, and travelling eastwards (which shortens the day) is usually harder to adjust to than travelling westwards. It is harmless and temporary — the body clock gradually adjusts over days (roughly a day or so per time zone crossed) — but it can spoil the start of a trip or affect performance, so there are ways to reduce it.
How it is treated
Jet lag settles on its own as the body clock adjusts, so the aim is to speed up adjustment and manage symptoms. Helpful measures before and during travel include getting good sleep beforehand, staying hydrated, and, on longer trips, gradually shifting sleep times towards the destination time zone in advance. At the destination, the most powerful tool is light: getting exposure to daylight at the right times helps reset the body clock to local time, while avoiding bright light (including screens) at the wrong times helps — the timing depends on the direction of travel. Adopting the local schedule straight away (eating, sleeping and being active according to local time), spending time outdoors, and short naps if very sleepy (without disrupting night sleep) all help. Limiting alcohol and caffeine, especially close to bedtime, is sensible. For some travellers, melatonin can help adjust the body clock, and a travel health professional can advise. The reassuring message is that jet lag is harmless and temporary, and adjusting quickly to the local schedule, with the help of well-timed light, speeds recovery.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Jet lag
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Adopt the local time zone straight away (sleeping, eating and being active by local time), use well-timed daylight exposure to reset the body clock, stay hydrated, limit alcohol and caffeine near bedtime, and consider gradually shifting sleep times before travel. Melatonin helps some people (with advice).
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Jet lag needs no medical attention and settles on its own. Ask a travel health professional or pharmacist for advice on managing it (including whether melatonin might help) if you travel frequently across time zones or find it particularly troublesome.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Jet lag: frequently asked questions
How long does jet lag last?
It settles as the body clock adjusts to the new time zone, roughly a day or so per time zone crossed. It is generally worse the more time zones are crossed, and travelling eastwards is usually harder to adjust to than westwards.
How can I reduce jet lag?
Adopt the local schedule straight away, use well-timed daylight exposure to reset your body clock, stay hydrated, limit alcohol and caffeine near bedtime, and consider shifting sleep times before travel. Melatonin helps some people, with advice.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Jet lag
- TravelHealthPro guidance
Related conditions
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