Canada recalls alertec
CANADA – According to an article from mtblog.com, Health Canada has recalled a sleeping medication, known as “ALERTEC” or “modafinil,” that has been sold in the United States and Canada.
Based upon a 2018 report issued by the Pregnancy Registry in the United States, they “suggested a higher rate of major congenital anomalies” in addition to other “adverse reactions” for children that were exposed to the drug in utero. There 2018 report also indicates that there have been cases of spontaneous abortion and defects pertaining to the development of the heart.
A report issued by Health Canada also discusses documented cases of congenital malformations and low fetal growth. The report also notes that many babies exposed to ALERTEC fail to thrive, which means that they had poor physical development.
ALERTEC is used to treat adults who suffer from a number of conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and shift work disorder. How ALERTEC works is that it stimulates the central nervous system. In essence, it is used to help individuals who suffer from the aforementioned conditions stay awake and alert during the day due to their lack of sleep during the night or their irregular sleep schedule.
In addition to the above reports indicating that ALERTEC may cause fetal harm, another report written by UniPrix noted that some people suffer from drowsiness and/or dizziness when taking the drug. It has also been associated with overstimulation and overconfidence in people who take the drug, thereby affecting their better judgment.
While the drug is used to help individuals who work graveyard shifts, UniPrix is now indicating that individuals who take ALERTEC should not operate machinery or “perform other hazardous tasks.”
