TORONTO — Natural sleep aid Dream Water has gained retail distribution in Canada.

Dream Products LLC said Tuesday that the fast-acting, nonprescription liquid sleep remedy — first launched in the United States in 2009 — is slated to hit shelves this month at grocery, pharmacy, natural health and convenience stores across Canada.

Dream Water is approved by Health Canada as a safe, effective natural health product that gives consumers an alternative to prescription and other over-the-counter sleep aids, according to Dream Products. Long-term use of prescription sleep aids has been shown to cause short-term memory loss and dependency and actually worsen sleep quality, the company said.

Sold in a single-serve bottle, Dream Water is indicated to be taken 30 minutes before bedtime.

“Everyone needs a good night’s sleep, but in today’s world of constant connectivity that’s getting harder and harder to do,” stated Stephen Dick, chief executive officer of Dream Water Canada. “We’re thrilled to bring Dream Water to Canada, offering Canadians a way to sleep naturally with three key ingredients — melatonin, GABA and 5-HTP — that help you fall asleep naturally, stay asleep and wake up feeling refreshed.”

Dream Water is available in Snoozeberry flavor, a combination of blueberry, citrus and pomegranate flavours. It carries a suggested retail price of $3.59 to $3.99 and will be available in Canada at Nutrition House, Gateway Newstands, 7-Eleven and other retailers.

“As owner of Canada’s leading franchised chain of natural health product stores, I know that sleep aid products are among the top items our customers ask for,” commented Wayne Parent, president of Nutrition House. “So we’re pleased to have Dream Water available at our 60 stores starting mid-March 2016.”