Last updated: October 2026
No, you can’t buy melatonin over the counter in the UK. It is a prescription-only medicine, usually prescribed as 2mg slow-release tablets for adults aged 55 and over with short-term insomnia, for up to 13 weeks. It isn’t illegal to own, but UK shops can’t legally sell it, and the NHS advises against ordering it online.
This guide explains why melatonin is prescription-only here, where people try to buy it (and why that is risky), how to get it properly from a GP or registered pharmacy, what it can and can’t do, and the things you can legally do instead.
Want an evening routine that doesn’t need a prescription? Our Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex is a warm berry drink with magnesium bisglycinate and citrate, glycine and L-theanine. Magnesium contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system. It isn’t a melatonin substitute or a treatment for insomnia, and if you are prescribed melatonin, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding any sleep product.
Is melatonin legal in the UK?
Yes, melatonin is legal, but only as a prescription medicine. You can’t buy it from a supermarket, health food shop or pharmacy counter without a prescription, and UK sellers can’t legally sell melatonin supplements or gummies. It is not a controlled drug, so simply owning it isn’t a criminal offence.
The rules are very different elsewhere, which is why so many people are confused. In the US it is sold as a dietary supplement, and some EU countries allow low-dose food supplements.
| UK | US | EU | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is classed | Prescription-only medicine | Dietary supplement | Varies by country |
| Where you get it | GP, specialist or registered online prescriber | Supermarkets, pharmacies, online | In France, food supplements under 2mg a day are allowed; some countries treat it only as a medicine |
| Usual form | 2mg slow-release tablets; 3mg tablets for jet lag | Tablets and gummies, often 3 to 10mg | Low-dose supplements or prescription tablets |
| Quality control | Licensed medicine, checked dose | Supplement, dose often differs from the label | Depends on whether it is sold as a food or a medicine |
Where can you buy melatonin in the UK?
Legally, only with a prescription. Here is how that plays out in the places people search for:
- Boots, Superdrug, Holland and Barrett and supermarkets. They can’t sell melatonin off the shelf. A pharmacy can only dispense it against a prescription.
- Amazon, eBay, Temu and other marketplaces. Listings do appear, but they are illegal. A Which? investigation published in February 2026 found melatonin capsules, gummies, patches and teas listed on AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Superdrug Marketplace and Temu between October 2025 and January 2026. Many were 10mg, the maximum dose a specialist would prescribe, and one claimed 30mg. Some hid the word with misspellings. Most were taken down once Which? flagged them.
- Online pharmacies and online doctors. This is a legal route if you are prescribed it after a proper consultation. Before you order, check the pharmacy is on the General Pharmaceutical Council’s register, as the MHRA advises.
- Overseas supplement websites. Ordering from abroad isn’t recommended by the NHS, and you can’t be sure what is in the product. More on that below.
The MHRA treats any product containing melatonin as a medicine, so patches, sprays, teas and “sleep” gummies sold without a prescription fall under the same rules as tablets.
Why is melatonin prescription-only in the UK?
Melatonin isn’t banned. It is a hormone your body makes naturally, and taking it as a tablet has a direct effect on how your body works. That is why the UK medicines regulator, the MHRA, treats it as a medicine rather than a food supplement. Speaking to Which?, the MHRA said melatonin is considered to pose “an identifiable risk to public/patient safety”. Medicines have to be licensed, made to a checked standard and supplied by a prescriber who can decide if they are right for you.
There are good reasons for caution. It can interact with other medicines, isn’t suitable for some people (such as those with autoimmune conditions or liver problems), and unlicensed supplements are often inaccurately labelled. In a Canadian study of 31 melatonin supplements, the actual melatonin content ranged from 83% less to 478% more than the label said, and eight also contained serotonin.
It is a similar story to CBD: a few cannabis-based medicines are prescription-only, while CBD food supplements follow separate rules. See prescription CBD vs over-the-counter CBD for how that split works.
How to get melatonin in the UK
| Who | What may be prescribed | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 55 and over with short-term insomnia | 2mg slow-release tablet (such as Circadin), 1 to 2 hours before bed | Usually 1 to 4 weeks, up to 13 weeks |
| Adults under 55 with longer-term sleep problems | On a specialist’s advice, for example with ADHD, cerebral palsy or chronic fatigue syndrome | Can be longer term; maximum 10mg a day |
| Children and teenagers | On a specialist’s advice, such as Slenyto for some autistic children | Specialist-led |
| Jet lag in adults | 3mg standard tablet (such as Adaflex), often a private prescription | Up to 5 days per trip |
Start with your GP. GPs will usually look for the cause of your poor sleep first and suggest changes to your sleep habits or cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which can be face to face or through an online programme. Registered online pharmacies can also supply melatonin on a private prescription after an online consultation; check they are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
What to ask your GP
- What might be causing my poor sleep, and should anything be checked (for example sleep apnoea, thyroid, menopause or a medicine I take)?
- Is CBT-I or an NHS-funded digital programme such as Sleepio available in my area?
- Am I eligible for melatonin, and would it be short-term or specialist-led?
- Does it interact with anything I already take, including the contraceptive pill, HRT, antidepressants or warfarin?
- Is it safe with any supplements or herbal remedies I use?
Keeping a two-week sleep diary before your appointment makes this conversation much easier.
Buying melatonin online or abroad
Many people buy melatonin gummies on holiday in the US or order them from overseas websites. Owning melatonin isn’t a criminal offence, but the NHS advises against ordering it online, and websites selling it to UK customers without a prescription are breaking the law. Parcels of unlicensed medicines can also be stopped and seized at the border.
The bigger issue is quality. Overseas supplements aren’t checked to UK medicine standards. A 2023 analysis of 25 melatonin gummy brands sold in the US found only 3 contained within 10% of the amount on the label; the rest ranged from 74% to 347% of the stated dose, and one contained no melatonin at all. Five of the products also contained CBD, all at more than their labels said. If you want to try melatonin, a prescription is the safest route. Read more about melatonin vs CBD.
The MHRA’s #FakeMeds campaign warns that unregulated websites can sell fake or contaminated medicines and put your card details at risk. In Great Britain you can check any online pharmacy against the General Pharmaceutical Council’s register before you buy.
Bringing melatonin back from holiday
Because melatonin is not a controlled drug, bringing a small amount back from abroad for your own use isn’t illegal. That isn’t the same as it being a good idea: you are still taking an unlicensed product with an uncertain dose, and having more sent to you by post isn’t a reliable or recommended route.
If a doctor abroad has prescribed melatonin for you, keep it in its original packaging with the prescription or a letter from your prescriber, and only carry what you need. The gov.uk guidance on travelling with medicines is the place to check current rules; we can’t give legal advice. Once you are home, speak to your GP if you still need help with sleep.
Melatonin for children and gummies
In the UK, melatonin for children is prescribed by specialists for longer-term sleep problems, often in children with conditions such as autism or ADHD. The child usually starts on a low dose, and the doctor works out the right amount. It isn’t something to try at home with gummies bought online.
The US experience shows why. Melatonin gummies look and taste like sweets. US poison centres recorded 260,435 melatonin ingestions in children and teenagers between 2012 and 2021, with yearly reports rising by 530%, mostly accidental swallowing by children aged 5 and under. A later CDC report estimated around 11,000 emergency department visits for unsupervised melatonin ingestion by young children between 2019 and 2022.
If your child struggles to sleep, start with their GP or health visitor. Keep any medicines and supplements, including adult ones, out of children’s sight and reach. All Evopure products are for adults (18+) only. For general advice on routines, see ADHD and sleep and our sleep hygiene guide.
Does melatonin work?
It works, but modestly. A review of 19 controlled trials involving 1,683 people found melatonin helped people fall asleep about 7 minutes faster and sleep about 8 minutes longer than placebo, with slightly better sleep quality. The benefit didn’t wear off with continued use.
Melatonin is best at shifting the timing of sleep rather than knocking you out. That’s why it is used for jet lag and body-clock problems. If stress, a racing mind, pain or poor sleep habits are keeping you awake, melatonin may not tackle the cause. The NHS says melatonin takes around 1 to 2 hours to work. If you keep waking in the night rather than struggling to drop off, our guide on how to stay asleep covers the common causes.
Melatonin for jet lag
Jet lag is one of the few reasons adults under 55 may be prescribed melatonin, usually privately. According to the NHS, the usual dose is one 3mg standard tablet, taken at your normal bedtime once you arrive, but not before 8pm or after 4am. It is taken for up to 5 days per trip, the dose can go up to 6mg if needed, and you shouldn’t use more than 16 courses a year.
Light timing matters just as much. Our jet lag guide explains how to use daylight and sleep timing to adjust faster, and the circadian rhythm guide explains why.
Side effects, interactions and who should avoid it
Most people don’t get side effects. The more common ones are daytime sleepiness, headache, stomach ache, feeling sick, dizziness and irritability. Don’t drive, cycle or use machinery if it makes you drowsy. Serious side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor before taking melatonin if you have liver or kidney problems, or an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or lupus. Alcohol and smoking can stop it working as well. The NHS advises not drinking alcohol while you take melatonin, because together they can make you sleep so deeply that you don’t breathe properly and find it hard to wake up.
Medicines. The NHS lists a number of medicines that can affect melatonin or its drowsy effect, including some antidepressants (such as fluvoxamine), benzodiazepines, blood pressure medicines, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, oestrogens in the contraceptive pill and HRT, opioid painkillers, some antibiotics, carbamazepine, warfarin and sleeping tablets such as zopiclone. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist what else you take.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The NHS says melatonin isn’t usually recommended in pregnancy because little is known about its effect on babies. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or health visitor first.
The NHS advises not to take herbal remedies that may affect sleep at the same time as melatonin, as you could become very drowsy. That includes sleep products with passionflower, chamomile, hops or valerian. If you are prescribed melatonin, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding any sleep supplement, including CBD.
What you can do instead in the UK
The first-line help for long-term poor sleep in the UK isn’t a pill at all. The NHS says insomnia usually gets better by changing sleep habits, and GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills. NICE recommends the Sleepio digital CBT-I programme for insomnia in primary care, for people who would otherwise be offered sleep hygiene advice or sleeping pills, and some areas fund similar programmes. Ask your GP what is available near you, and see our insomnia guide for how CBT-I works. For long-term insomnia where CBT-I hasn’t worked or isn’t available, NICE also recommends a newer prescription medicine called daridorexant; our middle insomnia guide explains where it fits.
Alongside that, many people build a calmer evening routine with things they can buy legally. None of these is a substitute for prescribed treatment, and none works in the same way as melatonin.
| Option | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | A mineral; glycinate is the gentlest form | Contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system and normal psychological function. See magnesium for sleep and does magnesium make you sleepy? |
| CBD | A non-intoxicating hemp compound | Research is early; many people use it in the evening. See CBD for sleep |
| L-theanine | An amino acid found in tea | Popular for a calm evening. See L-theanine benefits |
| Tart cherry | A fruit that naturally contains small amounts of melatonin | Small studies only; as juice or concentrate. See tart cherry and sleep |
| Kiwi | A fruit studied as a bedtime snack | Small studies only. See kiwi for sleep |
| Chamomile, passionflower, valerian | Traditional herbal remedies | Look for the THR mark on herbal medicines |
Our Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex combines magnesium bisglycinate and citrate with glycine, L-theanine and botanicals as a warm evening drink. Our Sleep CBD Oil pairs broad spectrum CBD with passionflower and a terpene blend. Neither is a replacement for melatonin or for medical advice. Compare options in our best CBD oil for sleep guide.
The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding. All our products are for adults (18+) only.
Ways to boost your own melatonin
Your body makes melatonin as it gets dark. You can help it along:
- Get daylight in the morning. Bright light early in the day helps set your body clock, so melatonin rises at the right time in the evening.
- Dim the lights in the evening and cut back on screens in the hour before bed. See do blue light glasses help?
- Keep regular hours, including at weekends. Our sleep schedule guide shows how to reset yours.
- Keep your bedroom dark, with blackout blinds or an eye mask.
- Cut back on alcohol and late caffeine, which both disrupt sleep.
The clocks go back on 25 October, which can unsettle sleep for a week or so. See our guide to sleeping well when the clocks go back, plus natural remedies for insomnia. If you work nights, our shift work and sleep guide covers light and timing in detail.
Related guides
- Valerian vs melatonin and what the research shows.
- Jet lag: what the evidence says about melatonin, light and sleep timing.
- Ashwagandha has been compared with melatonin in a 2026 trial: see ashwagandha for sleep.
- Circadian rhythm disorders and how they are treated.
- GABA vs melatonin and other UK sleep options.
- If anxiety about not sleeping is the real problem, see sleep anxiety: what helps.
- ADHD and sleep for non-medicine tips and when melatonin is prescribed.
- Curious about food sources? See does kiwi contain melatonin?
- Some people look at 5-HTP instead, because the body can turn it into melatonin. Read what the evidence says about 5-HTP and who should avoid it.
- Your body makes melatonin from serotonin, which starts as tryptophan. See tryptophan vs 5-HTP vs melatonin.
- Glycine is another amino acid people take in the evening: see glycine for sleep.
- Parents: some children’s magnesium gummies bought online have been found to contain melatonin; see are magnesium gummies safe for kids?.
- For the signs that point to a breathing problem rather than insomnia, see sleep apnoea symptoms and NHS tests.
- For what is in over-the-counter sleep capsules instead, see our guide to sleep capsules and their ingredients.
FAQs
Can you buy melatonin over the counter in the UK?
No. Melatonin is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, so you need a prescription from a GP, specialist or registered online prescriber.
Why is melatonin banned in the UK?
It isn’t banned. It is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, so it can’t legally be sold as a food supplement or over the counter, but a doctor can prescribe it. It is classed as a medicine rather than a supplement because it is a hormone with a direct effect on the body.
Is it illegal to bring melatonin into the UK?
Melatonin isn’t a controlled drug, so bringing a small amount back for your own use isn’t illegal, and many people bring it back from the US. But UK sellers can’t legally supply it without a prescription, and the NHS advises against buying it online because quality can’t be guaranteed.
Are melatonin gummies legal in the UK?
They can’t legally be sold in the UK. Any melatonin product, including gummies, is a medicine here and needs a prescription.
Can I buy melatonin at Boots or Holland and Barrett?
Not off the shelf. High street shops and pharmacies can’t sell melatonin without a prescription. A pharmacy, including an online one, can dispense it if you have been prescribed it.
Is it legal to buy melatonin on Amazon or eBay in the UK?
No. Melatonin listings on UK marketplaces are illegal because it is a prescription-only medicine. A 2026 Which? investigation found many such listings, some at 10mg or more, and most were removed once reported.
Is melatonin a controlled drug in the UK?
No. It is a prescription-only medicine but not a controlled drug, so owning it isn’t a criminal offence. Selling or supplying it without a prescription is against the law.
Can I get melatonin from my GP?
Possibly. GPs mainly prescribe it for adults aged 55 and over with short-term insomnia. Younger adults and children usually need a specialist’s recommendation.
Can I give my child melatonin gummies from the US?
It isn’t recommended. In the UK, melatonin for children is prescribed and dosed by a specialist, and US gummies often contain a different amount from the label. Speak to your GP or health visitor about your child’s sleep instead.
What is the best melatonin alternative in the UK?
There’s no direct equivalent you can buy. Many people use magnesium, CBD, L-theanine or herbal remedies as part of an evening routine, alongside good sleep habits and, for long-term insomnia, CBT-I.
Can I take magnesium with melatonin?
Plain magnesium is generally fine, but the NHS advises against herbal sleep remedies alongside melatonin, and many magnesium sleep blends contain herbs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
How many mg of melatonin should I take?
Take the dose your prescriber gives you. In the UK, the licensed dose for adults aged 55 and over with short-term insomnia is one 2mg slow-release tablet a day, 1 to 2 hours before bed, for up to 13 weeks. For jet lag it is usually 3mg a day for up to 5 days, which a doctor may raise to 5 or 6mg or lower to 1 or 2mg. Specialists sometimes prescribe more, up to a maximum of 10mg a day. We can’t advise on doses of unlicensed supplements, as their labels are often inaccurate.
Does melatonin have side effects?
Yes, though most people don’t get them. The NHS lists daytime sleepiness, headache, stomach ache, feeling sick, dizziness, feeling irritable or restless, dry mouth, dry or itchy skin, pains in the arms or legs, and strange dreams or night sweats. Serious side effects are rare, affecting fewer than 1 in 1,000 people. Speak to your doctor, or call 111, if you notice blurred vision, fainting, confusion, or bleeding or bruising you can’t explain.
Is melatonin a hormone?
Yes. Melatonin is a natural hormone made by the pineal gland in your brain. Your body releases it after dark, it peaks in the early hours and falls during daylight, and it helps control your sleep cycle. Melatonin tablets add to your body’s own supply, and because a hormone has a direct effect on how the body works, the UK regulates melatonin as a medicine rather than a food supplement.
Can you take melatonin with alcohol?
It’s best not to. The NHS advises not drinking any alcohol while you take melatonin. Together they can make you sleep so deeply that you don’t breathe properly and have difficulty waking up. Alcohol can also make side effects such as sleepiness, headache and dizziness worse, and it affects how melatonin works.
What is daridorexant?
Daridorexant (brand name Quviviq) is a newer prescription-only medicine for long-term insomnia. It isn’t melatonin: it was the first of a newer group of medicines called dual orexin receptor antagonists to be approved in the UK for long-term insomnia. NICE recommends it for adults whose insomnia happens at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more and badly affects their day, but only if CBT-I has been tried and hasn’t worked, or isn’t available or suitable. Treatment should be reviewed within 3 months. See our middle insomnia guide for more on treatment options.
Sources
- NHS. Melatonin, including how and when to take it, side effects, taking it with other medicines and herbal supplements, pregnancy and breastfeeding and common questions.
- NHS. Insomnia.
- BNF (NICE). Melatonin: indications and dose, side effects and Daridorexant.
- NICE (2023). Daridorexant for treating long-term insomnia (TA922).
- NICE (2022). Sleepio to treat insomnia and insomnia symptoms (HTG624, formerly MTG70).
- Which? (February 2026). Sleep drug melatonin illegally listed for sale on online marketplaces.
- MHRA. #FakeMeds: buying medicines online safely.
- Border Force and Home Office. Illegal medicines seized in Border Force crackdown.
- Medicines for Children. Melatonin for sleep disorders.
- ANSES (2018). ANSES recommends that certain populations avoid food supplements containing melatonin.
- NCCIH. Melatonin: what you need to know.
- Ferracioli-Oda E et al (2013). Meta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders. PLoS One. PMID 23691095.
- Erland LA, Saxena PK (2017). Melatonin natural health products and supplements: presence of serotonin and significant variability of melatonin content. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. PMID 27855744.
- Cohen PA et al (2023). Quantity of melatonin and CBD in melatonin gummies sold in the US. JAMA. PMID 37097362.
- Lelak K et al (2022). Pediatric melatonin ingestions: United States, 2012 to 2021. MMWR. PMID 35653284.
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Evopure makes sleep supplements but does not sell melatonin.
