'Gas station heroin' is technically illegal and widely available

a year ago

Health officials warn against 'gas station heroin' products containing tianeptine, an unapproved and addictive drug.
Tianeptine is marketed as energy shots or cognitive supplements but poses serious health risks including addiction and severe side effects.
U.S. poison control centers report a steady increase in tianeptine-related calls over the past decade.
FDA has issued warnings about tianeptine products, which are technically illegal but widely available under brand names like Zaza and Tianaa.
Tianeptine binds to brain receptors similar to opioids, leading to risks like slowed breathing and withdrawal symptoms.
Emergency calls related to tianeptine have surged by 525% between 2018 and 2023, with many cases requiring critical care.
Some states have banned or restricted tianeptine, leading to mixed outcomes including withdrawal cases but also reduced harm.
Products like Neptune’s Fix have been found to contain additional dangerous substances like synthetic cannabis.
Experts advise seeking FDA-approved treatments for conditions like opioid addiction, pain, and depression instead of using tianeptine.

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