Home / Health / Deadly 'Gas Station Heroin' Faces Growing Crackdown Nationwide
Deadly 'Gas Station Heroin' Faces Growing Crackdown Nationwide
26 Mar
Summary
- Tianeptine, known as 'gas station heroin,' is now a controlled substance in 14 states.
- The FDA has never approved tianeptine as a dietary supplement.
- Misuse of tianeptine can lead to respiratory depression, sedation, and death.
A dangerous substance colloquially termed "gas station heroin" is prompting significant concern among health officials, leading to a growing number of states enacting bans. Fourteen states have officially classified tianeptine, a tricyclic antidepressant, as a Schedule I controlled substance. Connecticut recently became the latest state to outlaw its sale and use, effective Wednesday.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has flagged tianeptine for its potential to induce euphoria at higher doses, noting it can be more potent than morphine and addictive opioids. The DEA warns that misuse carries severe health risks, including respiratory depression, extreme sedation, and potential fatality.
Despite these warnings, some companies market tianeptine in various forms for pain, anxiety, and depression, often sold in convenience stores, gas stations, and online under brand names like Tianaa and Neptune's Fix. Health officials emphasize that the FDA has never approved tianeptine as a dietary supplement, highlighting the serious risks associated with its unregulated use.
