Case scenario

Penny, 45, is planning a trip from Sydney to Los Angeles to attend a conference, where she is presenting her latest nursing research the day after her arrival. Penny’s previous international trips have been complicated by daytime sleepiness, impaired concentration, irritability, and difficulty falling and staying asleep in the new time zone. She wants to know what she can do to avoid jet lag. Penny does not take any other medicines.

Learning objectives 

After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to: 

  • Explain the pathophysiology of jet lag and contributing factors
  • Discuss the role of immediate-release melatonin for jet lag
  • Describe key advice for patients when supplying melatonin over the counter for jet lag 
  • Discuss the non-pharmacological interventions to reduce jet lag. 

Competency standards: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 3.1, 3.5

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Introduction

Long-haul air travel across multiple time zones is often associated with jet lag (also known as time zone change syndrome).1 Jet lag is a result of desynchronisation (a mismatch) between the body’s circadian rhythm and the final flight d

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