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E-mail Xinhua, March 10, 2025
SINGAPORE, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Singapore Monday issued a public alert urging individuals not to consume modafinil or armodafinil without medical supervision, following nine reported cases of severe skin reactions over the past year.
Modafinil and armodafinil are potent medications that should only be prescribed by a doctor and used under strict medical supervision, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a statement. The agency warned that the inappropriate use of these substances to enhance alertness or concentration could pose serious health risks.
Between February 2024 and February 2025, nine individuals aged 18 to 57 obtained modafinil and armodafinil from street vendors or acquaintances and took them without a prescription.
Six of the affected individuals developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening condition characterized by blistering and severe peeling of the skin and mucous membranes. Three others suffered toxic epidermal necrolysis, a more severe form of the syndrome. One case involved a man in his 20s who experienced extensive blistering, covering 60 percent of his body.
Most of the affected individuals are recovering, and no fatalities have been reported.
Beyond severe skin reactions, modafinil and armodafinil can also cause serious side effects such as heart problems, hypertension, and psychiatric disorders.
"The fact that we are seeing a significant number of cases linked to armodafinil and modafinil suggests that the risk associated with these medicines is particularly high. These medicines should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor and with proper medical supervision to ensure patient safety," said Associate Professor Lee Haur Yueh from Singapore General Hospital, who treated some of the hospitalized individuals.
Despite ongoing enforcement efforts to curb the illegal sale of these substances, demand continues to drive supply, the HSA noted. The agency also urged the public not to share or distribute prescription medicines to friends or relatives.
Under Singapore's Health Products Act, the unauthorized sale and supply of modafinil and armodafinil is a criminal offense. Enditem
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