Other safety alerts
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| Singapore: HSA Alert: Three consumers hospitalised for serious adverse reactions after inappropriate use of modafinil and armodafinil to improve alertness |
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to obtain or consume products containing modafinil or armodafinil that are not prescribed by a doctor or used under close medical supervision. Three persons were hospitalised for serious adverse reactions after consuming modafinil or armodafinil obtained from friends or street peddlers.
A man in his 30s developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a life-threatening skin condition with blistering and severe peeling of the skin, after taking modafinil, and was hospitalised. He had obtained the product from his friend and only took it once to improve alertness. Over the next few days, he started to feel unwell with fever, multiple mouth ulcers and conjunctivitis (red eyes), accompanied with a severe rash which started on the neck and subsequently spread to other parts of the body.
Two men in their 30s developed serious adverse reactions after consuming armodafinil. One of them had obtained armodafinil from a friend to stay awake during the day. After taking it a few times, he developed multiple mouth ulcers, inflammation of the mouth, experienced pain when swallowing and was unable to eat or talk. He also developed conjunctivitis and was subsequently hospitalised.
The other man who took armodafinil developed SJS and was hospitalised. He had obtained it from an illegal peddler in Geylang and had taken it for over a month to stay alert while working. He had severe skin reaction that started with fever and rash, and progressed to skin blistering and multiple mouth ulcers. The severe painful rashes subsequently spread to the whole body.
Modafinil and armodafinil are potent medicines that are not registered in Singapore but are available in some countries as prescription medicines. If there is a clinical need, doctors can apply to HSA to bring in modafinil or armodafinil for their patients’ medical conditions, such as narcolepsy, and patients would have to be under strict medical supervision.
Modafinil and armodafinil can cause serious side effects such as heart problems, hypertension, and psychiatric conditions including anxiety, hallucinations or mania. Serious skin reactions including SJS and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have also been reported, and can lead to hospitalisation, serious complications or even death. Those who recover may suffer from long-term complications including skin scarring, hair loss and visual impairment such as increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) and blindness. Other vital organs including the lungs may also be permanently affected. Modafinil and armodafinil also carry a potential risk of dependency due to their stimulant effects on the brain.
There have been reports of individuals taking modafinil or armodafinil for the purpose of improving alertness or as ‘cognitive enhancers’ to improve focus and memory. Self-medication with modafinil or armodafinil for these purposes is not appropriate and can be harmful.
Please refer to the following website in HSA for details:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/press-release/hsa-alert-modafinil_armodafinil
In Hong Kong, there is no registered pharmaceutical product containing modafinil or armodafinil. Related news was previously issued by HSA, and was posted on the Drug Office website on 7 Feb 2018.
Ends/Monday, Nov 6, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:00
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