FDA Issues Nationwide Tianeptine Warning

The FDA has issued a nationwide warning about tianeptine, known as 'gas station heroin,' which is sold in gas stations, convenience stores, vape shops, and online under names like Tianaa, Zaza, Neptune’s Fix, Pegasus, and TD Red. While tianeptine is licensed as an antidepressant in some countries, it is not approved for any use by the FDA and does not qualify as a dietary ingredient or food additive in the U.S. U.S. users often take dangerously high doses, resulting in severe health risks such as seizures, loss of consciousness, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, addiction, withdrawal symptoms similar to opioids, and even death. The FDA has received reports of adverse events, including fatalities, and several products have been recalled after these incidents. Despite being banned in ten states, tianeptine remains widely available elsewhere. The FDA urges healthcare professionals to proactively warn patients, especially youth, to prevent a crisis reminiscent of previous opioid and vaping epidemics.