Is Melatonin Unavailable in Thailand Now?

[Henk Langeweg]

3 hours ago, racket said:

I spoke to a pharmacist and received some information regarding Melatonin, which explains why it's no longer available for online purchase. While it hasn't become illegal, its status has changed. In Thailand, Melatonin is no longer considered a supplement but rather a medicine, so it can only be bought from a pharmacy.

 

This change makes sense since medicines typically cannot be ordered online; they must be obtained from a pharmacist. This shift benefits pharmaceutical companies, allowing them to increase prices for Melatonin products that were once inexpensive. Therefore, if you want Melatonin, you'll need to purchase it from a pharmacy.

My farmacist says that you can buy only Thai brand melotonin, max 2mg strenght.

[Henk Langeweg]

ICYMI A few days ago I ordered Melatonin at iHerb. Per brand you can only order 1 tub but when you order a second tub from another brand then it's accepted.

[Henk Langeweg]

Just ordered Puritans pride 240 Tablet, 3mg, 580 Baht at Lazada ...

[racket]

On 4/17/2024 at 12:21 PM, Henk Langeweg said:

Just ordered Puritans pride 240 Tablet, 3mg, 580 Baht at Lazada ...

I couldn't find it. Can you send the link?

[racket]

On 4/10/2024 at 4:28 PM, Henk Langeweg said:

ICYMI A few days ago I ordered Melatonin at iHerb. Per brand you can only order 1 tub but when you order a second tub from another brand then it's accepted.

The issue with iHerb is that it ships internationally, and the shipping costs can exceed 200 baht.

[Henk Langeweg]

14 hours ago, racket said:

I couldn't find it. Can you send the link?

Sorry, no longer available message. I received it yesterday, I slipped through I guess.

[Neeranam]

https://www.amazon.com/Natrol-Melatonin-10Mg-Gummy-Count/dp/B079TD7HG2

 

I'm weaning myself off this drug. There are better options for sleep, not masking the root cause. 

[chiang mai]

Does anyone have a current link to buy 5mg Melatonin?

 

I tried iHerb but it doesn't allow the order to complete to Thailand. I'm currently using a very pricey Circadian from a Thai pharmacy and looking for a better option.

 

TIA

[msbkk]

Melatonin is still available at Line shopping within the Line application.

[racket]

3 hours ago, msbkk said:

Melatonin is still available at Line shopping within the Line application.

Yes, that's one way to get it. 

[anterian]

5-HTP is converted in the body to serotonin and can be bought at Lazada, iherb etc.

 

[CharlieH]

 sellers on Lazada.....example

 

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.J1zdW

[msbkk]

37 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

 sellers on Lazada.....example

 

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.J1zdW

extremely expensive and contains other ingredients,  only a very small quantity of Melatonin,  not enough to help to sleep

[racket]

On 10/2/2024 at 9:01 PM, CharlieH said:

 sellers on Lazada.....example

 

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.J1zdW

 

Out of stock, unfortunately.

[CharlieH]

L'theanine is another possibility. melatonin never worked that well for me but L-theanine did @ 200mg.

 

L-theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea leaves, particularly green tea, and certain types of mushrooms. It is known for promoting relaxation without causing drowsiness. L-theanine is often used to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance focus, and improve sleep quality. When taken, it increases levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation and relaxation. It is also used to counteract the stimulating effects of caffeine, creating a balanced, calming effect while maintaining alertness. People often take L-theanine in supplement form.

[racket]

Melatonin seems to be back in stock, particularly on Lazada, after being unavailable for a while. I used to buy from Drk Melatonin through LINE, where a bottle of 3mg Melatonin with 240 tablets cost 589 baht. He's out of stock currently. On Lazada, the cheapest equivalent I found is 930 baht. Shopee still doesn’t sell anything related to Melatonin, so its availability on Lazada might be temporary. I’ve seen it come and go before, disappearing suddenly.

 

My go-to brand is Puritan’s Pride 3mg. I take it 30 minutes before bedtime, and it works wonders.

 

Since there aren’t many reviews for the Melatonin products on Lazada, I suspect this might be a short-lived opportunity before authorities or Lazada step in and restrict sales again.

 

Here's the general link: https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=Melatonin

[Globenauta]

I have been using Seroquel (quetiapine) in a low dose (1/4 of a 25mg tablet) for years. Last year I decided to stop. Since then I have had trouble sleeping, of course.

 

I tried melatonin years ago (I think it was 2mg tablets), during a previous attempt, with no success. I would like to give it another try now, as the quetiapine should be out of my system now after months of stopping.

 

Someone also suggested magnesium glycinate, is it helpful or not? And if so, is it available in Thailand?

 

Also, as an occasional substitute, for non-continuous use, I was suggested Doxylamine, sold in Thailand as Sominar. It is actually an antihistamine but would have a sedative effect and should not have the long-term side effects of quetiapine.

 

Has anyone tried these?

 

[how241]

In this thread I am reading about melatonin ,at 10 mg...I thought the recommended starting dosage was 1mg.  at night.  Some Thai pharmacies have a 2mg extended release. Is this too strong for a beginner?

[NoshowJones]

On 1/21/2024 at 9:28 AM, Sheryl said:

I get items from iHerb via local post all the time, works fine and prompt.

 

I would assume 90 day supply would mean 90 tablets.

 

Shipping costs for that option are low.

If you get a 90 day supply of melatonin do you keep taking one tablet a day for 90 days, or do you keep taking it indefinitely? Does that mean you are addicted to it?

I am having sleep problems with about 4 hours at night and maybe two separate hours through the day, This has only started recently. I am too frightened to take sleeping tablets except for jet lag.

[NoshowJones]

On 1/27/2024 at 7:28 PM, Sheryl said:

P.S. LINE shopping has it. I just now purchased 120 tabs of 10mg Puritan's Pride which is my preferred brand. 500 baht.

Sheryl, is there any particular brand of sleeping pill that is not addictive? I get the impression that some posters on here take sleeping pills probably melatonin very day indefinitely.

[NoshowJones]

On 2/4/2024 at 2:54 PM, racket said:

 

I have been purchasing Melatonin from Lazada and Shopee for years, trying multiple brands. I heavily relied on Puritans. I created this thread for the simple reason that they're all gone, duh.

I recently bought melatonin from Lazada for on the plane and it 100% did not work, does that mean it is probably fake? The time before that, the same bottle worked very well, but may I emphasis that it was only for on the plane and jetlag.

[connda]

Surprisingly Melatonin seems to be available on Lazada again.  I wasn't for quite awhile.  However, it costs about twice as much as the same products on iHerb.  Fyi, you need to log into to iHerb using a VPN to the US and select US as your country to see full product categories.  The last time I attempted to order some on iHerb it was impossible.  The only option for shipping was Flash and they would not ship it.  

Bottom line - we can get it again from Lazada but you'll pay a premium for it. 

 

[connda]

2 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

Sheryl, is there any particular brand of sleeping pill that is not addictive? I get the impression that some posters on here take sleeping pills probably melatonin very day indefinitely.

Hydroxyzine which is a antihistamine which causes drowsiness.  25mg about 1 hour before bed is usually enough.

[NoshowJones]

25 minutes ago, connda said:

Hydroxyzine which is a antihistamine which causes drowsiness.  25mg about 1 hour before bed is usually enough.

Thanks for telling me that, but can you confirm that Hydroxyzine is 100% non addictive?

[GroveHillWanderer]

4 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

... is there any particular brand of sleeping pill that is not addictive? I get the impression that some posters on here take sleeping pills probably melatonin very day indefinitely.

Melatonin is not addictive. It is not associated with physical dependency or withdrawal symptoms. Addiction involves changes to brain circuitry and is marked by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite negative consequences. These are not behaviours associated with melatonin.

 

However, some people may develop a psychological dependence on melatonin, meaning they feel they need it to fall asleep, and find it difficult to get to sleep without it.

 

In the UK, there is a non-addictive anti-depressant called Trazodone that is available on the NHS.

 

According to the NHS info page on this drug:

 

Quote

It can help if you're having problems like low mood, not sleeping (insomnia) and poor concentration.

[...]

There's no evidence that trazodone is addictive. But you may get withdrawal side effects if you stop taking it suddenly.

 

This can cause sleep problems, leave you feeling irritable and you may sweat more than usual.

 

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/trazodone/common-questions-about-trazodone/

 

So while it can help you sleep when you're taking it, it can make it more difficult to sleep when you stop. So a mixed benefit, apparently.

[how241]

A few days ago, I bought and received from Lazada 10mg Melatonin , Puritan brand(120 caps) for 400 baht.  I open it up and sub divide into 5,  2mg dosages. Many other types available.

[how241]

2 hours ago, connda said:

Hydroxyzine which is a antihistamine which causes drowsiness.  25mg about 1 hour before bed is usually enough

It works well But you will feel it the next day as it has a long half life. Benadryl  works the same as has a much shorter half-life so less chance of morning grogginess.  Any drug can become mentally additive as you feel you need to do it to sleep. As with most drugs,  the more you do them the less effective they become. 

[Sheryl]

12 hours ago, how241 said:

A few days ago, I bought and received from Lazada 10mg Melatonin , Puritan brand(120 caps) for 400 baht.  I open it up and sub divide into 5,  2mg dosages. Many other types available.

 

Puritan Pride is my preferred brand. And personally, I take a full 10mg. But YMMV. 

 

There have been some anecdotal reports from people buying on Lazada (unspecified which seller) that product seemed fake. So please update if it works for you and, if so, specify the seller. (Lazada is just a platform not a merchant, so quite possible to get different quality products using it depending on the store/seller). 

[Sheryl]

13 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

Thanks for telling me that, but can you confirm that Hydroxyzine is 100% non addictive?

 

Hydroxyzine is not physically addictive. 

 

Neither is doxylamine, another available OTC sleep med in Thailand in the antihistamine family (brand name Sominar)

 

BUT both of these can cause grogginess next day and this class of drug (first generation antihistamine) is not recommended for regular, sustained use (e.g. every night) especially in the elderly. In the elderly, may cause or worsen confusion and  cognitive decline especially if taken regulalry. Though as with all side effects, individual response may vary.