Melatonin
Legal Status
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution : All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY | |
Melatonin | |
REGULATED | No |
STATUS | Over-The-Counter Supplement |
SCHEDULE | Un-Scheduled |
Melatonin is unscheduled in the United States. This means it is legal to buy, possess, and distribute (sell, trade or give). If sold as a supplement, sales must conform to U.S. supplement laws. If sold for consumption as a food or drug, sales are regulated by the FDA.
INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Australia #
As of March 2009, melatonin is not currently available without prescription in Australia. There are products sold over the counter without prescription that are labeled melatonin, but the fine print makes clear that they are either homeopathic (no actual melatonin content) or 'herbal'. Melatonin can be obtained by getting a prescription and then buying it from a chemist. The Therapeutic Goods Administration refuses to provide specific information about whether melatonin will become a non-prescription drug, despite pressures to do so by the public. (thanks BK) (last updated Mar 25, 2009)
Canada #
Melatonin is reportedly available over the counter in grocery stores and pharmacies. (thanks E) (last updated Mar 19, 2013)
Finland #
Melatonin (melatoniini) available only with a prescription in Finland. (unconfirmed) (thanks J]
Netherlands (Nederlands) #
Melatonin available over the counter in health and drug stores in the Netherlands. (unconfirmed) (thanks a) (last updated May 22, 2013)
Norway #
Melatonin (melatoniini) available only with a prescription in Norway and is sometimes seized by customs if ordered from outside Norway. (thanks GAK)
Sweden #
Melatonin available only with a prescription in Sweden. (unconfirmed) (thanks a99) (last updated Feb 13 2019)
United Kingdom (Britain, England, Wales, Scotland) #
Melatonin available in health food shops and through the internet, but is not generally available at pharmacists/chemists. (unconfirmed) (thanks O) (last updated Mar 24 2011)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.
CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.