By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau (高雄市衛生局) has warned the public not to purchase sleeping pills online after tests found a product marketed as the prescription insomnia drug Stilnox (使蒂諾斯) did not contain its declared active ingredient and was instead adulterated with melatonin and other substances.
The Liberty Times reports that the bureau said it identified illegal overseas websites advertising “Stilnox” for sale without a prescription. After conducting test purchases and laboratory analysis, authorities discovered the sampled product did not contain zolpidem, the sedative-hypnotic ingredient in genuine Stilnox, but instead included melatonin and other pharmaceutical components of unknown origin.
The warning comes as many people report sleep disturbances after the Lunar New Year holiday, when irregular schedules can make it difficult to fall asleep or create poor sleep quality. Health officials cautioned that prescription sleep medications are not a universal solution for insomnia and that misuse or overuse can result in dependence and other health risks.
According to data cited by the bureau, the reported use of sedative and hypnotic drugs in Taiwan has risen in recent years, increasing from 435 million pills in 2021 to 477 million pills in 2023. Authorities emphasized that Stilnox is classified as a Schedule IV controlled drug and should only be used under a physician’s diagnosis and prescription. Improper use may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired concentration, while long-term misuse can lead to addiction.
