What is Circadin and what is it used for?
Circadin contains the hormone melatonin and is used to treat jet lag in travellers crossing several time zones. Melatonin occurs naturally in the human body and is involved in regulating our sleep-wake cycle.
How does it work?
Normally, levels of melatonin increase when it gets dark outside, making you feel sleepy and tired to prepare your body for rest. When you travel to a place with a different time zone, you body clock takes some time to adjust to the change in time. Circadin can help you to sleep when it is nighttime at your destination and overcome the time zone gap.
How do I use it?
Circadin should be swallowed whole after eating about 1-2 hours before bed, without crushing or chewing the tablets. The medication can be continued for up to 13 weeks.
Does Circadin have any side effects?
Like all medication, Circadin can have some side effects, but they are uncommon. These include back pain, feeling weak, headaches, dizziness, and mouth ulcers. Jet lag can interfere with your plans when abroad. Circadin can help you to stay in control and make the best of your time in a new time zone.
Side Effects
By its nature, Circadin can cause drowsiness and so when using this medication no activities should be performed which would be dangerous to undertake when drowsy.
Some uncommon side effects include migraine, headache, dizziness, high blood pressure, abdominal pain, dry mouth, irritated skin, abnormal liver function tests, increased weight, nightmares, and anxiety.
Information Leaflet
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.