Does anyone buy Circadin from abroad?

[blooos]

I'm looking for recommendations of where to buy Circadin (slow release melatonin) online for delivery to the uk. There was a thread that mentioned this recently but now I can't find it.

Can you buy it online? Only a paediatrician can prescribe where I live?

My understanding is this:

The MHRA classifies melatonin as a medication (not a supplement). In the UK it cannot be sold over the counter; a prescription is needed.
A doctor can prescribe melatonin (a) for over 55s (b) for under 18s with certain conditions which affect their sleep.

Because of the above guidelines, there are restrictions on importing circadin which will be purchased from/in the UK.

I do, I get mine from Piping Rock, $9 for 180 12mg tablets online.

If you Google jet lag medication uk you can get it next day delivery from a lot of online pharmacies in the UK. I think I last got it from Dr Fox for about £25 for a month's supply but you obviously have to say it's for jet lag.

Thanks. Dr Fox sells 3mg Melatonin but it looks like it is the quick release melatonin, which helps you get to sleep, not Circadin, which is 2mg of prolonged release melatonin and helps you stay asleep. It is Circadin I want, or another brand of prolonged release melatonin.

As Silverhill said, its only available for over-55's on prescription. I'm 51 so can't get it, though my GP said this is an arbitrary money-saving restriction. Hopefully NICE will revisit its business case at some point, given the recent study that said over 50s with less than 5h sleep a night are at high risk of bad health: www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63284305.amp

They don't seem to have Circadin. Which type do you get, and are they prolonged release?

Try Biovea I buy melatonin for dd from there. But not sure what type they sell but certainly a few different ones. It takes about 2 weeks to arrive.

Just had a quick look, they sell some called time release melatonin, maybe have a look at those ones.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Anyone else?

@itsalldowntome I've been looking at the 1* Trustpilot reviews for Biovea. There are a lot of people reporting missing orders and poor customer service. I guess some of the orders may have been caught up in Customs red tape. Have you ever had any problems?

I'm in Ireland and have the same issue for melatonin. I have ordered from Biovea before twice - once the order arrived, second time it got caught up in customs.
I tend to ask someone who is either going to USA or Spain to pick me up some if they are able.

i get my melatonin from vitamin grocer

Ask your GP specifically about Slenyto. We couldn't get melatonin prescribed for DS without a care plan until DS consultant informed our GP that Slentyo had been approved as suitable for prescription without a care plan so could be prescribed by the GP. Could be worth a try? And very few chrmists here stock Slentyo so it always gets substituted with Circadin anyway.

Thanks, but I need it for me (age 51) not a DC.

Melatonin lost its effect for me after 6 months.

I understand that, but if it can be prescribed for a DC outside the rules about needing a care plan first then maybe it can also be prescribed for a 51yo outside of the rules about needing to be 55.

I think that may be because the u18 rules don't say they need a care plan - it just needs to be prescribed under the direction of a behaviour specialist, so your consultant's advice to your GP would have been enough. See here: bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/melatonin/

Thanks. I guess a certain percentage of orders get through, and perhaps more likely the smaller orders. Was the order that got stopped a larger one?

Actually they were both the same - 2 months worth.

Ive ordered melatonin from Biovea many times over the last 2 years and its always arrived, no customs issues! Usually quicker than expected too.

@blooos no never, in fact i had some arrive this week (1 bottle of 300 tablets), took about ten days to arrive.

I'm well under 55 and have it prescribed by a GP.

Is that for 'jetlag'? I put it in quotes because my GP said he could prescribe it for 5 days for jetlag, but not regularly. He sympathised, but said he gets audited so would be asked questions. I suppose I could say I'm a pilot, but that's probably pushing things a bit far!

How long does it take to work? I wake up a lot in the night and would love to stay asleep!

I get melatonin from Piping Rock in america. They do slow release I think but not named as circadin. Look at whats in circadin to see if its the same. never had a problem. take 5mg before bed and sleep ok most nights.