Sleep
Melatonin
Supplement
FAA guidance
Generally acceptable.
FAA label
GENERALLY SAFE TO FLY
The FAA's over-the-counter guide lists melatonin in its "Generally Safe to Fly" column for sleep aid products, with a note that taking it at the wrong time can worsen jet lag and cause daytime drowsiness.
Track your medicationsMore detail: melatoninThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen
The same guide says never to fly after taking a new medication for the first time until at least 48 hours have passed and no side effects are noted.
FAA rule for sleep medication: The FAA puts all currently available sleep aids on its Do Not Fly list, prescription and over-the-counter alike, and if the pilot uses one routinely, the FAA's table says the examiner should defer. Its sleep aids page says occasional or limited use of sleep aids, such as for circadian rhythm disruption in commercial air operations, is allowable for pilots, and daily or nightly use of sleep aids is not allowed regardless of the underlying cause or reason. It also says medical conditions that chronically interfere with sleep are disqualifying regardless of whether a sleep aid is used or not. FAA, DO NOT ISSUE – DO NOT FLY Medications and general No Fly wait times
Show the FAA's words: melatoninThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
Sleep aid
GENERALLY SAFE TO FLY
GO
melatonin (not an antihistamine)
NOTE: Taking melatonin at the wrong time can actually worsen jetlag and cause daytime drowsiness.
NEVER FLY AFTER TAKING A NEW MEDICATION FOR THE FIRST TIME UNTIL AT LEAST 48 HOURS HAVE PASSED AND NO SIDE EFFECTS ARE NOTED.