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Original poster

Melatonin from Mexico

119 replies

Filbertfishlips · 03/12/2022 22:07

Going on hols to Mexico in January.
I have a child who would benefit from melatonin for help in getting to sleep.
I can but it over the counter in Mexico.
Is it a more harmful version than what is prescribed in the UK?

OP posts:
knitnerd90 · 14/12/2022 02:47

Mexican drugs are fine generally. However melatonin isn't classified as a drug in the USA and possibly not in Mexico. It's a dietary supplement, like vitamins, and that means it is under much less strict regulation. the issue is buying a reputable brand so you get what it says on the bottle. It's not an OTC medication like ibuprofen say.

Whatisthegoss · 14/12/2022 02:48

Passthecheeseboard · 03/12/2022 22:48

I find drugs abroad are usually better (and cheaper) than the ones in the UK, they won’t be the brands you recognise but if you know the name of the actual medication, you will be able to find it in the pharmacy… also the naturally occurring sleep hormone is milder than other drugs, I see it as more of a supplement than a medication , I think it’s seen that way in America anyway …

👌

momonpurpose · 14/12/2022 03:09

I live in the US about an hour from Mexico. Honestly the medication in Mexico is much better then in the US. I'd definitely get it and more. The cold medicine desinfor not sure of the spelling is great. Cough medicine brocolin is great too

TheTeenageYears · 14/12/2022 03:22

Olly do a range of gummies for children including Kids Sleep. You could see if they are available to buy in Mexico or have them delivered from US Amazon to your accommodation for when you arrive.

Backofthenet20 · 14/12/2022 04:03

Melatonin is available as a dietary supplement in both the US and Canada. Watch out for strength, very high doses of up to 12 mg are available. Most child doses are 0.5 or 1 mg. Adults mainly will sleep well with 3 or 5 mg. Look for a product that is USP certified, or made by one of the bigger companies. Regulation of drugs is a mismatch around the world. Example Optrex eye drops are available in the UK with chloramphenicol in the chemist. In the US they are only available on prescription. Many supplements in the US are not allowed in the UK, but have been sold for over 25 years.

Kennykenkencat · 14/12/2022 04:04

SixDinnerSally · 04/12/2022 17:15

@Filbertfishlips you say you want it for those bad nights but that’s fyi that if not how melatonin works. You have to take it an hour before bedtime, not when / if they can’t sleep. CAMHS advised us to use it for two to three nights in a row, if DD had had three bad nights in a row (to try to get a better routine in place)

No you don’t if you get the fast acting type

Kennykenkencat · 14/12/2022 04:14

name78change · 04/12/2022 14:07

@Kennykenkencat do you know why it changed?

I think the government classified it as “medicinal by function” and not a supplement.

But now you have big brands that sell otc sleeping potions and pills. Some that have very worrying results in long terms tests but those are fine.

Melatonin also hasn’t had the same amount of testing done on it as it just isn’t profitable for a drug company to test a natural product that any company can sell.

When you look closely at it you do wonder what is going on and why subsequent governments haven’t overturned this ruling

RoyFuckingKent · 14/12/2022 09:46

CherryBlossom321 · 13/12/2022 23:45

When I tried to do this, it was prevented from being shipped by customs and I was told it’s now illegal to ship melatonin into the UK.

Show quote history

I’ve been ordering online from the US since 2016, with the most recent order arriving on Monday this week.
I’ve never had an issue.

SnowWay · 14/12/2022 12:58

RoyFuckingKent · 14/12/2022 09:46

I’ve been ordering online from the US since 2016, with the most recent order arriving on Monday this week.
I’ve never had an issue.

Show quote history

Would you be able to share a link to the melatonin you order please?

PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 14/12/2022 13:25

Not read the full thread, but you can buy melatonin online. I get mine from the US (I'm in the UK) and it generally it arrives within week. They have adult doses and childrens lower dose melatonin. Not sure if I'm allowed to mention the online store, but I wouldn't buy from anywere else these days - the service is excellent.

If anyone wants the name, just let me know (and no, I don't work for them!)

StillDancingEvenOnTheRainyDays · 14/12/2022 13:30

lovemelongtime · 04/12/2022 21:25

Just to add Italy have the best haemorrhoids cream in the world! Almost worth my drama school reignactment to describe what I wanted.

Can you buy online in the Uk? I’ve heard it’s great for fine eye lines

RoyFuckingKent · 14/12/2022 13:39

SnowWay · 14/12/2022 12:58

Would you be able to share a link to the melatonin you order please?

Show quote history

This is the company I've used since 2016. DH has the 3mg, I have 5mg.

gb.pipingrock.com/melatonin?keywords=melatonin&qid=1671025014

The only issue I had was when I ordered a few other vitamins and it charged me a customs fee, but my normal order comes in around the £17 mark and always gets here without issue.

PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 14/12/2022 16:25

It's Piping Rock that I use too - they are great. Good customer service, frequent excellent discounts and quick shipping. I used to order from Biovea (someone upthread mentioned) but had snotty customer service the last time I ordered so now it's Piping Rock every time.

FrownedUpon · 14/12/2022 17:33

I wouldn’t buy it in Mexico & give it to my child. How do you know it’s safe?

Frapped · 14/12/2022 19:05

How do you know medicine is safe in the UK?

HappenstanceMarmite · 14/12/2022 21:11

CrunchyCarrot · 04/12/2022 09:44

I buy a prescription medicine from an online Mexican store - good quality and does the job. Can't get it prescribed here.

I also use 'get sick' because I grew up in Australia, still use that expression 40 years later! Does it really matter whether it's 'ill' or 'sick'? Means the same!

Hi Carrot. I tried to pm you but it wouldn’t work for some reason. Would you kindly send me - or post - a link to the Mexican pharmacy you use please? Thanks 😊

mathanxiety · 15/12/2022 02:56

@FrownedUpon do you hear (or find on Google) a lot of news stories about Mexicans dying or being made ill as a result of using otc medications sold by major international retailers all over Mexico?

Kennykenkencat · 15/12/2022 10:38

FrownedUpon · 14/12/2022 17:33

I wouldn’t buy it in Mexico & give it to my child. How do you know it’s safe?

Not all otc sleep aids are safe in the U.K.
Their are links to long term issues
I would take Melatonin from Mexico over a lot of the stuff we can find in our local pharmacy

I think you need to look around at what is going on in the rest of the world and how we are treated in the U.K.

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