Where can I buy melatonin online in the UK for a child?

[SwanRose]

Please can someone tell me where I can buy melatonin in the uk online? I know it’s only given via a prescription but I’m sick of jumping through hoops and waiting months to see a paediatrician meanwhile my child is up every night till 3/4am unable to sleep. I think I read of people buying it online from other countries? any advice on where from? Thanks

(I realise it needs a prescription here but many other countries sell it over the counter)

I don't have an answer to your question, but in the interim, have you already given the morning light approach a go? It's made a difference for me. Outside for ten minutes, whatever the weather, within half an hour of waking in the morning. After a week I was finding that sleep was coming much easier in the evening. Sorry if you've already tried, just thought I'd mention if not.

I found a website but I wouldn’t sign post unless I knew the age of the child, and you’d have to figure out the correct dosage too.

Thanks I’ve found some old mumsnet threads with some websites listed so I’m going to try them tomorrow. We’ve not done that during the holidays but during term time he is out the house within half an hour of waking and his sleep is still awful.

It's prescription-only for a reason. Other countries being more cavalier with risks doesn't mean we should be. There may also be an underlying cause of the wakefulness that needs proper treatment, and only a doctor can diagnose that.

Whilst you wait, try a dawn alarm clock with a sunset feature and give DC a warm bath an hour before bed. The rise and fall in body temperature from the bath tells the body that its bed time, as does the sunset dimming function. The dawn feature helps with getting out of bed.

Do you have any family or friends visiting the USA? We often bring it over for family. It's as easy to buy as vitamins here.

Unfortunately not. It’s 4.49am and they still won’t sleep. Been up since 8am. Not even sure how it’s possible not to feel tired.

I will be buying it if I can and have heard this recommended to other parents by doctors due to long waits, I have neighbours to consider and it’s 4.51am and they are still pacing up and down the house.

USA is your best bet but it could get stuck and confiscated by customs. You could try USA Amazon? Just go for branded well known variants.

Best bet is getting someone to buy it in the USA and bring it back for you.

You can order it online from European suppliers and they come within a day or two. I last ordered some about three months ago.

I’ve bought melatonin for myself from Italian online pharmacies. I know Italy sell a range of melatonin specifically for children so worth trying as you’ll be able to get the right age appropriate dose and use it safely.

Biovea

We buy these in German supermarkets, they work! https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Doppelherz-Melatonin-Gums-Sugar-Free/dp/B0FRMNHY2C

I am usually competely against things like buying prescription only medications via other routes. But I decided I was happy to buy melatonin online for my purposes (jet lag).

There is loads of information online about the risks and explanations of why it is prescription only in the UK to enable you to decide what's ok.

It's super easy to buy online for delivery to the UK. Just Google "melatonin online UK". I used one of the sites already mentioned.

Biovea

If you need it then get it and ignore anyone being negative. They have little to no idea of how hard it can be in the UK to have to wait for consultant initiation of some medications as the nhs take so long to see you. We had this issue with melatonin and antidepressants. A child who was really unwell and needed help and the wait list for paeds was 9+ months and CAMHS 18+ months. We got melatonin online and had to save and go private for initial consultation with a psychiatrist

We used Biovea while we were waiting and she took half a 3mg tablet a day. We paid for a private psychiatrist in the end to get initial prescription and now GP prescribes it.

I eventually got my kids dad to ask the gp, for whatever stupid reason men usually get what they ask for. I had been asking for years for my autistic child, they said yes to him in seconds. People don't get how hard it is to function on no sleep!

Sounds miserable Op. Any idea why your DC has such problems? ADHD by any chance?

Since you are clearly going to go ahead with buying some, here is some information about melatonin:

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/sleep-drug-melatonin-illegally-listed-on-online-marketplaces-aeDk46q91l7c

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/melatonin/how-and-when-to-take-melatonin/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Biovea They sell it and decent shipping time. I like the liquid one as it’s easy to control the dose by drop.

Hi, just to let you know we have the prescribed melatonin and the dose is 2mg for my 10 year old child

Biovea.
Ignore other posters they aren’t in your situation.
Id suggest starting with smallest dose 1mg

Because obviously only the UK can be right 🙄

I've seen it on the shelves in supermarkets and pharmacies in Italy, France and Spain so if you know anyone going there you could ask them to bring you some. It's the 1mg tablets rather than the high strength ones you get the US but that's usually the recommended dose for a child.

Alternatively, I've found these magnesium gummies to be good for my sleep-resister
https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/bioglan-smartminds-magnesium-night-time-60-gummies-6100006091

No idea why my previous post has been hidden but OP, if you can't get your hands on melatonin then try Smart Minds night time magnesium gummies. They've worked well for my child who struggles to sleep.