Drugs Xagena
Cephalon informed Healthcare Professionals of the following new warnings and safety information for Provigil ( Modafinil ) regarding serious skin rash and psychiatric symptoms which have been provided to the MHRA ( Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ) in order to update the UK Provigil SmPC.
Summary of the safety concern
Serious skin rashes requiring hospitalization and discontinuation of treatment have been
reported in adults and children in association with the use of Modafinil occurring within 1 to
5 weeks after treatment initiation [ isolated cases have been reported after prolonged
treatment ( e.g.3 months ) ].
Modafinil should be discontinued at the first sign of rash and not restarted unless the rash is
clearly not drug-related.
Psychiatric adverse experiences ( psychosis, mania, delusion, hallucinations, suicidal
ideation and aggression ) have been reported in patients treated with Modafinil. If psychiatric
symptoms occur, Modafinil should be discontinued and not restarted.
Caution should be exercised when administering Modafinil to patients with a history of
psychosis, depression or mania given the possible emergence or exacerbation of psychiatric
symptoms.
Further information on the safety concern
In clinical trials of Modafinil, the incidence of rash resulting in discontinuation was
approximately 0.8% ( 13 per 1,585 ) in paediatric patients ( age
