The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has issued a health warning after three individuals in their 30s were hospitalized for using unregistered alertness medications, modafinil and armodafinil.
All three obtained these unregistered medications from friends or illegal sources, leading to dire consequences. One of them, a man in his 30s, took modafinil, resulting in a single-use development of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening skin condition causing severe blistering and skin peeling.
The patient subsequently suffered from a fever, multiple mouth ulcers, conjunctivitis, and an extensive rash that spread from the neck to other parts of his body.
Another individual who used armodafinil multiple times experienced painful mouth ulcers, mouth inflammation, difficulty swallowing, and developed conjunctivitis, rendering him unable to eat or speak.
A third man, also using armodafinil, developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome, leading to a severe skin reaction characterized by fever, rash, skin blistering, and multiple mouth ulcers. The painful rash spread across his entire body.
HSA underscores the risks associated with modafinil and armodafinil, advising against obtaining or consuming these medications without a doctor’s prescription or proper medical supervision.
Modafinil and armodafinil are potent medicines not registered in Singapore but available in some countries as prescription drugs. HSA states that they should be used only under strict medical supervision for clinical needs such as narcolepsy.
The inappropriate use of these medications to enhance alertness or cognitive performance is discouraged, as they can cause severe side effects, including heart problems, hypertension, and psychiatric issues.
Reports of severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have raised concerns. Both conditions can lead to hospitalization, serious complications, and even death.
HSA also warns that these conditions can have long-term effects, including skin scarring, hair loss, visual impairment, increased sensitivity to light, and blindness, potentially impacting vital organs like the lungs.
The HSA also underscores the potential risk of dependency due to the stimulant effects of these medications on the brain.
The sale and supply of unregistered health products, such as modafinil and armodafinil, are offenses under the Health Products Act unless authorized by the HSA for specific medical purposes, with potential penalties of a fine of up to S$50,000 (US$37,000) or imprisonment for up to 2 years.
In an advisory to consumers, the HSA provided key recommendations:
- Modafinil and armodafinil should be prescribed by a doctor and used under medical supervision for specific clinical needs.
- Caution should be exercised when obtaining health products from unfamiliar sources, even if suggested by friends or relatives.
- Potent prescription medications should not be shared with friends or family members, as their medical conditions may differ and require professional care.
HSA: Health Sciences Authority
Link to the official HSA press release:
https://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/press-release/hsa-alert-modafinil_armodafinil
Links to the original news articles:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/three-men-hospitalised-after-taking-modafinil-or-armodafinil-to-stay-awake-drugs-were-not-prescribed
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/hsa-alert-modafinil-armodafinil-three-men-hospitalised-after-taking-unregistered-medicines-3899791
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