Melatonin Recommendations

[Milboo]

Hi

Grateful for advice/ experience re best melatonin product to pick up for long haul travel.

Either in Aus or in NZ.

Thanks.

 

[RooFlyer]

Is there a difference? Only difference I have seen is whether it's 3mg or 5 mg, of which I use the latter.

 

[boomy]

The ones I bought in Germany were 1.5mg each. The recommendation was to take 3mg 2 nights before returning to AUS from EUR so basically 2 pills on each flight before going to sleep.
Worked very well for me

 

[Foreigner]

I've not taken Melatonin. Does it interfere with alcohol?

 

[Paul_PER]

In Australia you will need a doctor's prescription. You can buy 2mg from a normal chemist. I use 1mg pills made by a Compounding Chemist as I take it every night (for delayed sleep onset insomnia). The Compounding Chemist makes it with no fillers or additives. And as they make it in batches of 100 pills its cheaper than the normal chemist 2mg pills which I think are 30 to a pack from memory.

Forget the over-the-counter homeopathy pills - they are rubbish.

 

[boomy]

I've not taken Melatonin. Does it interfere with alcohol?

From my experience no, but I'm not a doctor.

Forget the over-the-counter homeopathy pills - they are rubbish.

+1

 

[RooFlyer]

I buy mine from Canada - off the chemist's shelf in bottles of about 30 pills. I did ask my doctor at home about them, and he said they were fine.

I usually take them an hour before going to bed for about 5 nights following long haul flights.

I've not taken Melatonin. Does it interfere with alcohol?

I don't believe they have any issues with alcohol, but ask a professional of course.

 

[Foreigner]

I buy mine from Canada - off the chemist's shelf in bottles of about 30 pills. I did ask my doctor at home about them, and he said they were fine.

I usually take them an hour before going to bed for about 5 nights following long haul flights.



I don't believe they have any issues with alcohol, but ask a professional of course.

My druggist (sorry, chemist) recommends not to buy supplements in USA.

 

[RooFlyer]

My druggist (sorry, chemist) recommends not to buy supplements in USA.

What about Canada

I'm pretty sure its all synthetic now, but I remember buying some years ago when it was still an extract of horse's ??pituitary ? glands. Hasn't done me any harm.

View attachment 31685

 

[Foreigner]

What about Canada

I'm pretty sure its all synthetic now, but I remember buying some years ago when it was still an extract of horse's ??pituitary ? glands. Hasn't done me any harm.

View attachment 31685

Interesting...I didn't know the animal-derived Melatonin.

From this weblink:

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/melatonin.htm

"Melatonin is a substance that the public is taking without being knowledgeable about its benefits, side or dosage. Many companies manufacture melatonin. There are two kinds of melatonin available, synthetic or natural. It is recommended to take the synthetic time release formula. It is the closer to the molecular make-up of melatonin and is made with pharmaceutical grade ingredients. Natural melatonin may contain animal parts through which viruses and diseases can be carried (http://www.teleport.com/~jor/#1)."

 

[yohy?!]

I brought some from gnc but haven't been game to take it after seeing some worrying comments from pilots on pprune.

Valerian is still my go to choice although isn't perfect for jetlag unless combined with red wine!

 

[zig]

I have 3 and 5 mg tablets purchased in the US. Generally take the 3mg tablets for a couple of nights when needed. Works fine.

 

[straitman]

I brought some from gnc but haven't been game to take it after seeing some worrying comments from pilots on pprune.

Valerian is still my go to choice although isn't perfect for jetlag unless combined with red wine!

My suggestion is to try it before relying on it as there can be different outcomes to that which is desired.

In my case it causes precisely the opposite to the desired effect and I become wide awake.

 

[zig]

My suggestion is to try it before relying on it as there can be different outcomes to that which is desired.

In my case it causes precisely the opposite to the desired effect and I become wide awake. 

Excellent suggestion. A good idea to make sure you have nothing important on the following day just in case you have any unwanted effects. I have never had any, but gave some to my mother to try and she says she feels 'hung over' the morning after taking one.

 

[suze2000]

I can't take valerian as it gives me palpitations - not very conducive to good sleep.

 

[Comoman]

I take 5mg for a couple of days for jetlag. Does work well but sometimes I also wake up feeling like I've got a mild hangover.

Also purchased in the USA.

 

[Airbourne]

I use Jamieson 10mg Dual Action Timed release that I got from Canada. They help me a lot for night shift and I take one the first few nights after landing. I have not had any issues with alcohol interaction.

 

[Foreigner]

Reading the article in the following link suggests there are concerns for taking over 1mg.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleep-newzzz/201102/melatonin-not-magic-bullet-sleep

Read words of caution towards the end.

 

[rioter]

Reading the article in the following link suggests there are concerns for taking over 1mg.

Melatonin: Not a Magic Bullet for Sleep | Psychology Today

Read words of caution towards the end.

I was prescribed it by a sleep specialist as i was having insomnia and in her words "didn't want all her good work undone" by me flying a lot. She told me to pick it up in the US. However said that usually it only comes in 3 and 5mg over there. She said to buy the three and take half. She also recommend to take it on the flight and for 2 days after landing. Have stuck to the 1.5mg - 2mg and only when needed, this along with exercise and jetlag seems to be a thing of the past.

 

[JMFK]

I bought 5mg from Walgreens (or similar) whilst in the states, and took it a few nights before my next longhaul flight. I certainly slept well - they did have a 10mg version but I thought that sounded a bit scary.

I'm still breathing.