Product guide
Melatonin is sold in several forms. The ingredient is the same, but how quickly it is released, how easy it is to take and how precisely it can be measured differ from one form to another. This page sets them side by side so you can see what each one is.
The most familiar form. A standard (immediate-release) tablet is swallowed with water and releases its contents fairly quickly, so levels rise and then fall within a few hours.
Designed to dissolve gradually, aiming for a steadier level through the night rather than a short peak. Much of the clinical research on this form involved adults aged 55 and over.
Chewable and pleasant to take, which makes them popular. Research on US gummy products found the amount in each piece often differed from the label, so product quality matters.
Measured with a dropper, syringe or spoon. Liquids make small or adjusted amounts easier to measure, which is why they are common where swallowing tablets is difficult.
A powder or liquid inside a gelatine or plant-based shell. Capsules behave much like standard tablets and are often chosen by people who find them easier to swallow.
Placed under the tongue or allowed to dissolve in the mouth. They are marketed as faster-acting, though good evidence comparing them directly with swallowed forms is limited.
Brands
BIOVEA's UK melatonin range includes products from these brands. Ranges change over time, so check the current listing for the forms and strengths available.
A long-established US supplement brand whose melatonin range includes time-release and fast-dissolve tablets.
See Natrol Melatonin
A US supplement maker offering melatonin alongside a wide range of other vitamins and supplements.
See NOW Foods Melatonin
MRM (Metabolic Response Modifiers) is a US nutrition brand that includes melatonin in its range.
See MRM Melatonin
Lifestyle photos created from the brands’ product packaging.
Everyday sleep
Dim lights and a calm routine in the hour before bed support the body's own evening rise in melatonin.
Read the guide
Daylight soon after waking is one of the strongest signals for keeping the body clock on time.
Read the guide
Jet lag is where much of the melatonin research began, and where light timing matters most.
Read the guideIf you have questions about a particular product, a pharmacist can help. See questions to ask a pharmacist and how long melatonin takes to work.
