Nine people have been rushed to hospital in the last year after taking unregistered ‘energy boosting’ tablets that left their bodies blistered and sore.
The seven men and two women had all taken modafinil or armodafinil, which are available in some countries with a doctor’s prescription for patients with specific medical conditions such as narcolepsy, a condition that impairs a person’s ability to sleep or stay awake.
Armodafinil is not licensed for clinical use in the UK.
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Modafinil is, but with regular monitoring, as reported by Need To Know.
The nine patients, aged between 18 and 57, were rushed to hospitals in Singapore between February 2024 and February 2025, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said yesterday (10 March).
The authority said that they had obtained modafinil and armodafinil from street sellers or from their friends.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis adverse reaction. (Jam Press/National Skin Centre)
“One had taken them as supplements to boost energy and health,” the agency wrote in a press release.
Six of the patients developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a life-threatening skin condition characterised by blistering and severe peeling of the skin and mucous membrane.
The HSA said: “A male consumer in his 40s developed painful blistering rashes and peeling of the skin, and also had severe oral ulcers that left him unable to eat and speak for a few days.”
The other three suffered toxic epidermal necrolysis, a more severe form of SJS.
The HSA said: “They had serious skin reactions and developed painful blistering rashes and peeling of skin that spread across the entire body.
“One of them, a male consumer in his 20s, experienced life-threatening blistering of his skin covering 60% of his body, including his face, chest, arms, genitals, legs and the soles of his feet.
“Most of the consumers are recovering and there were no mortalities.”
Besides serious skin conditions, modafinil and armodafinil could cause serious side effects such as heart problems and hypertension, as well as psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, hallucinations or mania.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis adverse reaction. (Jam Press/National Skin Centre)
The medicine also carries a potential risk of dependency due to its stimulant effects on the brain.
Associate Professor Lee Haur Yueh, a senior consultant at the Department of Dermatology at Singapore General Hospital, said: “Although SJS and TEN are rare, they are life-threatening and can lead to widespread skin damage and in severe cases, organ failure.
“The fact that we are seeing a significant number of cases from 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.”
The supply and sale of modafinil and armodafinil without HSA’s authorisation is an offence under the Health Products Act.
Offenders may face a jail term of up to two years, a fine of up to £20,000 (S$50,000) or both.
Members of the public who have information on the illegal sale and supply of the medicines have been asked to contact HSA’s enforcement branch at 68663485.
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