Melatonin in the UK: Prescription-Only Status, Brands and Import Rules

Melatonin is available OTC in the UK as Circadin and Slenyto on prescription. Know the rules before you travel.

Quick reference

Drug class: Hormone / sleep aid
Controlled substance: No, not scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or any UK controlled-substance schedule
Prescription required: Yes, melatonin is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. Circadin (2 mg prolonged-release) and Slenyto (1 mg and 5 mg, paediatric) are the licensed products and both are POM.
Available locally: On prescription only: Circadin and Slenyto are licensed and dispensed by UK pharmacies. No melatonin product is authorised for over-the-counter sale, and supplements sold online or in health shops are not licensed medicines.
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, away from direct light and moisture
Max supply to carry: No statutory import cap for personal use; carry a reasonable personal supply consistent with your trip length
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead for quantities that might raise customs questions; original pharmacy packaging with label
Emergency alternative: Low-dose melatonin supplements (0.5–1 mg) are sold OTC in UK pharmacies such as Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy without a prescription

Melatonin in the UK: OTC supplements, prescription brands and what to bring

Melatonin, sold in the UK under the brand names Circadin and Slenyto, sits in an unusual regulatory position: low-dose supplements are available over the counter^[1] while the licensed prolonged-release formulations require a UK prescription.

This guide covers what documentation to carry, how much to bring, local availability of Circadin and Slenyto, and what to do if your supply runs out or is lost.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to the UK with melatonin

Melatonin is not a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, so no import permit is required to bring it into the UK^[2] for personal use. A doctor's letter on clinic letterhead is still recommended for quantities above a few weeks' supply, particularly if you carry Circadin or Slenyto in their prescription packaging.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book a prescriber appointment to obtain a renewed prescription and a dated doctor's letter if you take Circadin or Slenyto. Ask for enough supply to cover your entire trip plus a 10-day buffer.Prescription + doctor's letter
T-14 days
If your doctor issues a letter, confirm it is on official clinic letterhead, includes the INN (melatonin), dose, quantity, and your full name. No permit application is required for UK entry.Clinic letterhead letter
No government permit is required. The letter is for customs discretion only.
T-7 days
No translation is required, English is the UK's official language. Check that the pharmacy label on each pack shows your name, dose, and dispensing date.Labelled pharmacy packaging
T-1 day
Print the doctor's letter and prescription. Keep medication in original packaging. Pack the majority in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage.
T-0 (border)
Melatonin does not require proactive declaration at UK customs. If a Border Force officer asks, present your doctor's letter and original packaging. Be straightforward about the quantity.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, medication name (melatonin / Circadin / Slenyto), dose and frequency, quantity carried, condition name (one word is sufficient), doctor's signature and GMC registration number, and clinic letterhead. No notarisation or apostille is required for UK entry. English is the official language, so no translation is needed.

Because the UK's official language is English, no translation is required. Notarisation and apostille are not needed for personal medication documentation at UK borders.

How much melatonin to bring

There is no statutory import quantity cap for personal melatonin supplies entering the UK. HMRC guidance on personal importation^[3] applies to goods imported commercially, not personal medicinal supplies.

Bring enough for your full trip plus a 10-day buffer in case of delays or lost luggage. If you take Circadin or Slenyto and your supply runs out, obtaining the same formulation locally requires a UK prescription, so a buffer is practical insurance.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup in checked luggage. If one bag is delayed or lost, you still have medication. Keep both portions in original packaging with the pharmacy label visible.

Packing and storing melatonin for travel

Melatonin tablets and capsules should be stored below 25°C, away from moisture and direct light^[4], according to the Circadin summary of product characteristics published by the MHRA. Standard room-temperature storage is sufficient for transit; no cooling wallet or insulated bag is required. Keep tablets in the original blister pack to protect them from humidity during travel.

At the airport and border

Airport security with melatonin

Melatonin tablets are solid oral medications and are not subject to the 100 ml liquid restriction at airport security. The UK Civil Aviation Authority and airport security rules^[5] allow passengers to carry solid medications in hand luggage without quantity limits, provided the medication is for personal use. You do not need to declare melatonin proactively at the security checkpoint.

Keep the medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label visible. If a security officer asks you to remove it from your bag, present the packaging and your doctor's letter. There are no sharps or liquid concerns for standard melatonin tablet formulations.

Customs and medication import rules for the UK

Melatonin is not listed as a controlled or prohibited substance under UK Border Force guidance. UK Border Force rules on bringing medicines into Great Britain^[6] require that prescription medicines are carried in their original packaging with a pharmacist's label and, where possible, accompanied by a prescription or letter from a prescribing doctor.

No import permit or prior notification to UK authorities is needed for melatonin. If you are carrying Circadin or Slenyto in prescription packaging, carrying your original prescription alongside is straightforward evidence of personal use.

Keep original packaging

The pharmacy label on your Circadin or Slenyto pack is your clearest proof of legitimate personal use at UK customs. Decanting tablets into an unlabelled pill organiser before arrival removes that evidence. Keep at least one original pack intact throughout your journey.

While in country

Melatonin availability in the UK

Brands and forms of melatonin sold in the UK

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Circadin	Sleep-onset difficulty in adults aged 55 and over	2 mg prolonged-release tablet	Prescription-only at UK pharmacies; widely stocked
Slenyto	Paediatric sleep disorder	1 mg / 5 mg prolonged-release tablet	Prescription-only; specialist-initiated (paediatric psychiatrist or neurologist)
Melatonin (generic / supplement)	Not licensed as a medicine; sold as a food supplement	0.5 mg–1 mg tablet or capsule	Over the counter at Boots, Holland & Barrett, and similar health retailers

Low-dose melatonin supplements (typically 0.5–1 mg) are sold without a prescription at Boots, Holland & Barrett, and independent health shops throughout the UK. Circadin 2 mg prolonged-release tablets are prescription-only^[7] and cannot be dispensed without a valid UK prescription. Supplement prices are typically £5–£12 (~$6–$15) for a 30-tablet pack depending on the retailer.

If you take Circadin or Slenyto and need an in-country refill, a UK private prescription is required. The NHS does not provide prescriptions to visitors without registration with a GP practice, which is not practical for short stays.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe melatonin in the UK

Private GP clinics operate throughout the UK and can issue a private prescription for Circadin on the same day. Consultation fees typically range from £60–£150 (~$70–$175) at walk-in private clinics in London and other major cities. The General Medical Council register^[8] allows you to verify that any prescribing doctor is GMC-registered before your appointment.

UK-based telemedicine platforms such as Push Doctor and Babylon Health also offer same-day video consultations with GMC-registered doctors who can issue private prescriptions, often for £30–£60 (~$35–$70).

Search for providers near your destination

Use Nomedic's provider search to find doctors and pharmacies in the UK.

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Storing melatonin while in the UK

The UK's temperate climate rarely presents storage challenges. Circadin should be stored below 25°C in a dry place^[4], which standard hotel room temperature satisfies year-round. Summer temperatures in London and other English cities occasionally reach 30°C; keep medication away from direct sunlight and out of a car glove box on warm days.

Refrigeration is not required for melatonin. In the rare event of a prolonged heatwave, store your supply in the coolest part of your accommodation and away from windows.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your melatonin in the UK

If your Circadin or Slenyto is lost or stolen, contact your travel insurer immediately and obtain a police reference number if theft is suspected. Report the loss to the nearest pharmacy to begin the process of obtaining a replacement prescription from a UK private GP.

If you run out unexpectedly, low-dose melatonin supplements (0.5–1 mg) are available over the counter at Boots, Superdrug, Holland & Barrett, and supermarket pharmacies. For the licensed 2 mg Circadin formulation, visit a private GP clinic or use an online telemedicine service to obtain a same-day private prescription. See our healthcare guide for the UK for more information on provider options.

“”

I need melatonin tablets. / I have a sleep disorder. / Where is the nearest pharmacy? / Please call a doctor.

The UK emergency number is 999 for life-threatening situations and 111 for non-emergency medical advice available 24 hours a day. NHS 111 can direct you to the nearest out-of-hours GP or urgent treatment centre^[9] if you need a same-day prescription.

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Frequently asked questions

Is melatonin legal in the UK?

Yes, melatonin is legal in the UK, but it is a prescription-only medicine rather than something you can buy off a shelf. The MHRA has authorised no over-the-counter melatonin product: the licensed medicines are Circadin (2 mg prolonged-release) and Slenyto (1 mg and 5 mg, for children), and both require a prescription. Melatonin food supplements are sometimes sold online or in health shops, but they are not authorised medicines, so do not plan on replacing your supply that way. You may bring your own prescribed melatonin into the UK for personal use.

Can I bring melatonin into the UK without a prescription?

Yes. Melatonin is not a controlled substance under UK law, and no import permit is required for personal use. Carry your supply in original packaging and, if you take Circadin or Slenyto, bring a doctor's letter as supporting documentation.

Is Circadin available over the counter in the UK?

No. Circadin 2 mg prolonged-release tablets are prescription-only in the UK^[7] and require a valid prescription from a GMC-registered doctor. Low-dose melatonin supplements (0.5–1 mg) are sold OTC at pharmacies and health retailers.

What happens if my Circadin runs out while I'm in the UK?

Visit a private GP clinic or use a UK telemedicine service to get a private prescription, which a UK pharmacy can dispense the same day. As a short-term bridge, OTC low-dose melatonin supplements are widely available without a prescription.

Is Slenyto available in UK pharmacies for children?

Slenyto is licensed in the UK for paediatric use but is initiated by a specialist such as a paediatric psychiatrist or neurologist^[10]. It is not available OTC. Bring a sufficient supply from your home country and carry the original prescription.

Can I buy melatonin supplements at UK airports or supermarkets?

Low-dose melatonin supplements are sold in major UK airports at Boots airside outlets and in supermarkets such as Tesco and Waitrose. These are typically 0.5–1 mg food supplement formulations, not the licensed Circadin or Slenyto products.

Is melatonin treated differently in the UK compared to Germany or France?

Yes. Germany and France treat all melatonin formulations, including low-dose products, as prescription-only medicines. The UK allows low-dose melatonin supplements to be sold OTC as food supplements, which makes it relatively more accessible than those countries.