FDA Warning: Tianeptine, the “Gas Station Heroin,” Poses Serious Addiction Risk
An in depth look at a dangerous drug labeled as a supplement
Forget the stale nachos, bucket-sized soft drinks, and questionable magazines- gas station convenience stores harbor a hidden danger: tianeptine.
Nicknamed “gas station heroin,” tianeptine is a dangerous drug found in multiple products promising “enhancements.” In a stark warning, the FDA recently urged consumers to steer clear of Neptune’s Fix, a tianeptine brand sold in these stores.
The cause?
Multiple users landed in hospitals, suffering seizures and lapses of consciousness after downing bottles of the potent liquid. Like its illicit nickname, tianeptine is highly addictive and can lead to brutal withdrawal symptoms. This “gas station high” comes with a price far exceeding its cost.
What is Tianeptine?
Developed in France during the 1960s, tianeptine initially belonged to a class of medications known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Unlike other TCAs that influence mood by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels, tianeptine has been found to act differently.
In a 2014 study, it was discovered that tianeptine binds with opioid receptors in the brain, the same receptors triggered by potent drugs such as heroin and fentanyl.
This unique mechanism is responsible for the opioid-like high experienced when tianeptine is taken in large doses. However, this short-term euphoria comes with a significant risk: addiction, tolerance, and severe withdrawal symptoms.
Tianeptine: A Prescription Medication in Many Countries
Several countries around the world use tianeptine to treat major depressive disorder and anxiety. The drug is available by prescription in Asia, Latin America, and some European countries.
Foreign brand names for tianeptine include:
- Coaxil
- Stablon
- Salymbra
- Tatinol
- Tianeurax
- Tynept
- Zinosal
How Do People Get High on Tianeptine if It’s an Antidepressant?
In countries where depression is treated with tianeptine, doctors typically prescribe a daily dose of just 25 to 50 milligrams. Shockingly, some Americans reportedly take over 3,000 milligrams a day to get an opioid-like high. That’s more than one hundred times the therapeutic dose!
Is Tianeptine Legal in the United States?
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) doesn’t classify tianeptine as a controlled drug or related to other controlled substances.
Tianeptine isn’t approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thus, the drug lacks recognition as a safe or effective option for any medical condition. However, its use in dietary supplements and food is against the law.
Despite this, the drug is available through online retailers and even small shops. These types of products are called “gas station drugs,” they mimic the effects of controlled medications like opioids and methamphetamines. Often made in illegal labs or imported and sold without regulation or oversight, many can cause harm.
Proprietary Blends: Hidden Dangers of Tianeptine Products
The problem doesn’t stop with tianeptine alone. Many “gas station heroin” products contain other problematic ingredients in unknown amounts. Controversial substances like phenibut, kratom, and kava are often mixed with tianeptine. Companies sell these “proprietary blends” as dietary supplements and market them as “mood enhancers” or “cognitive boosters.” The amounts of the ingredients in proprietary blends are a trade secret, so exactly how much you’re getting is uncertain. This adds even more risk, as you may ingest additional toxic substances at unknown dosages.
Beyond the Gas Station: Tianeptine Isn’t Hard to Find
Tianeptine isn’t just at the gas station. It’s available in mini marts, bodegas, smoke shops, vape shops, and supplement websites. There’s no single, easily identifiable brand.
Tianeptine products include capsules, tablets, powders, gummies, and liquids in enticing flavors like strawberry or lemonade. The packaging often makes claims about stress relief, addiction cures, and mood-boosting. It’s easy to overlook, especially when browsing shelves packed with colorful bottles and flashy packaging.
Popular brands containing tianeptine include:
- Neptune’s Fix, available in tablets and liquid
- Tianaa
- Tianna Green
- Tianna Red
- Tianna White
- Pegasus Red
- TD Red
- Zaza Red
- Zaza White
- Zaza Silver
The Dangers of Tianeptine
Despite its misleading nickname, “gas station heroin” doesn’t contain heroin. But that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Tianeptine poses some serious dangers. Consider the following:
Opioid-like Effects, Addictive Nature:
While not as potent as heroin, tianeptine binds to the same opioid receptors in the brain. This narcotic high creates a path to addiction.
Even worse, the drug’s short half-life of two to three hours means you must take it frequently to maintain the euphoric effect, making it even more addictive. After prolonged use at high doses, tianeptine can cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
Quick and Brutal Withdrawal:
Quitting tianeptine isn’t easy. Withdrawals start swiftly due to the drug’s short half-life, can last weeks, and are hellish. Symptoms are often so uncomfortable that many users fall back into addiction to avoid the misery of withdrawal.
Symptoms are similar to opioid withdrawal and include:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Fever
- Seizures
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Chills, goosebumps
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Sweating
- Tremors, shaking
- Muscle aches
Overdose and Death:
The consequences of tianeptine abuse can be deadly. Overdosing can lead to respiratory depression, where your breathing slows to a dangerous halt. In some cases, this can even lead to death.
Tianeptine can also interact with other drugs, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids, increasing the risk of overdose and death.
Tianeptine: A Public Health Crisis Unfolds in the US
Tianeptine use in the United States started gaining significant traction in the mid-2010s. The crackdown on opioid painkillers like fentanyl and oxycodone led people to seek cheaper and easier-to-obtain alternatives. The problems with tianeptine in the US didn’t start suddenly but evolved over several years.
Here’s a timeline of key events:
2014: A study published in Translational Psychiatry found that tianeptine could have opioid-like effects, increasing its appeal as a potential substitute for prescription drugs.
2016: Addiction treatment specialist Dr. William Morrone first encountered tianeptine in Michigan, treating patients showing withdrawal symptoms despite passing drug tests.
2018: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that tianeptine abuse can mimic opioid toxicity and withdrawal. The FDA issued warning letters to two companies for illegally marketing products labeled as dietary supplements containing tianeptine. Michigan became the first US state to ban tianeptine, classifying it as a Schedule II controlled substance.
2022: The FDA issued consumer warnings linking tianeptine products to serious harm, overdoses, and death.
2023: The FDA issued another warning against tianeptine products, citing a surge in reports of serious adverse The warning stressed the risks associated with using these products.
FDA Cracks Down on Unregulated Tianeptine Products
On November 21st, 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly warned against using any tianeptine product. Responding to a rise in adverse event reports, the FDA warned consumers that tianeptine may lead to addiction, withdrawal, seizures, overdose, and severe side effects.
In addition to the recent FDA warning, federal prosecutors have gone after companies and individuals for smuggling and selling tianeptine products in the United States.
Tianeptine: Now Banned in 12 States
Following a growing trend, tianeptine is now unlawful in twelve states. The wave of legal action began with Michigan in 2018, being the first state to ban the substance due to concerns about its addictive nature.
Since then, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Minnesota, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, and most recently, Mississippi have followed suit. These broad judicial measures highlight the growing national recognition of tianeptine’s risks.
Closing Thoughts: Tackling the Tianeptine Threat
Despite bans in several states and FDA warnings, tianeptine is still accessible under different names and packaging. The drug is a major public health concern due to its potential for addiction, harsh withdrawal, and severe side effects.
Combating the misuse of tianeptine requires unified action from state and federal authorities, healthcare professionals, and the public. Proactive initiatives are needed to educate consumers and healthcare professionals of its risks. Through increased awareness and stricter regulations, the abuse of this dangerous drug can be stopped.
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I’m a pharmacist turned health and wellness writer. I simplify medical jargon into easy-to-understand and relatable content. If you’re interested in how I can help your business grow, please email me at KateByrdPharmD@gmail.com
