This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in your body. At night, your levels of melatonin rise, before returning to normal during the day. This helps to control how and when you sleep.
You can take a synthetic version of melatonin for short periods if you have sleep problems such as insomnia. This adds to your body's natural supply of melatonin, so you fall asleep more quickly and you're less likely to wake up during the night. It may also help with symptoms of jetlag.
Melatonin is mainly used to treat short-term sleep problems in people aged 55 and over. It can also sometimes be prescribed by specialists to help with longer-term sleep problems in some children and adults.
Melatonin is available on prescription only. It comes as standard tablets, slow release tablets, capsules and a liquid that you drink.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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