Home / Health / Fayette County Sees First 'Gas Station Heroin' Overdose
Fayette County Sees First 'Gas Station Heroin' Overdose
28 Apr
Summary
- Unapproved drug tianeptine, known as 'gas station heroin,' caused the first overdose.
- Tianeptine is an addictive opioid-like substance with unregulated and dangerous effects.
- Calls for a nationwide ban are growing to prevent a tianeptine epidemic.
A recent overdose in Fayette County marks the first confirmed fatality attributed solely to tianeptine, a substance commonly referred to as 'gas station heroin.' This drug, not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is easily accessible through gas stations, vape shops, and online retailers.
Tianeptine is described as an opioid-like substance that carries a high risk of addiction and can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures and respiratory depression. The FDA notes that companies market tianeptine with unproven claims for enhancing brain function and treating anxiety, depression, and opioid use disorder.
Individuals with a history of opioid use disorder are particularly vulnerable to tianeptine's dangers. The FDA has documented serious adverse effects, ranging from agitation and nausea to coma and death. In response to these risks, several states have enacted bans, and a nationwide prohibition is being advocated to prevent a widespread epidemic.
