Tianeptine: The “Gas Station Heroin” Threat and How We Can Act
What Is Tianeptine?
Tianeptine is an atypical antidepressant developed in the 1980s and used in some countries abroad under prescription. At low doses it affects serotonin and glutamate signaling. At higher doses, it binds directly to the mu-opioid receptor, the same receptor targeted by morphine, oxycodone, and heroin.
In the United States, tianeptine is not approved by the FDA for any medical use and is not scheduled federally. This regulatory gap has allowed it to be sold as a so-called “dietary supplement” or “nootropic” in gas stations, vape shops, and online under names like “ZaZa Red,” “Tianna Red,” and “Neptune’s Fix.”
These products make mood, anxiety, pain, and withdrawal claims without approval or safety review. In reality, they are delivering an unregulated opioid-like drug. This is why tianeptine has earned the nickname “gas station heroin.”
Why Is Tianeptine Dangerous?
- High abuse and addiction potential: Tianeptine produces opioid-like euphoria and rapid tolerance, driving escalating use.
- Severe withdrawal: Users report intense opioid-style withdrawal, including agitation, tremor, nausea, insomnia, and tachycardia. Medical detox is often required.
- Overdose risk: High doses depress respiration and consciousness. Emergency departments report overdose presentations similar to opioids.
- Polysubstance danger: Many users combine tianeptine with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other drugs, dramatically increasing fatal risk.
Real-World Harm
- New Jersey poisoning cluster (2023): Twenty people were hospitalized after ingesting “Neptune’s Fix,” with ICU admissions and intubations.
- Brain toxicity and death: CDC documented fatal toxic leukoencephalopathy following prolonged high-dose use.
- Neonatal withdrawal: Infants exposed during pregnancy have been born with opioid withdrawal requiring treatment.
How States Are Responding
A growing number of states have scheduled tianeptine as a controlled substance or banned its sale outright. Others have used emergency orders while permanent laws are considered. Momentum is building, but enforcement remains uneven and federal action is still pending.
Selected U.S. State-Level Actions (Through 2025)
Examples below reflect a range of approaches including controlled-substance scheduling, retail bans, and targeted prohibitions.
| Jurisdiction | Action Taken | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Schedule I controlled substance | Permanent |
| Georgia | Schedule I controlled substance | Permanent |
| Michigan | Schedule II controlled substance | Permanent |
| Tennessee | Schedule II controlled substance | Permanent |
| Florida | Schedule I controlled substance | Permanent |
| Mississippi | Schedule III controlled substance | Permanent |
| Delaware | Ban on manufacture and sale | Enacted 2025 |
| Texas | Prohibited in vape/e-cigarette products | Enacted 2025 |
| New York | Proposed Schedule II legislation | Pending (2025) |
Note: This table provides selected examples only. Legal status can change over time through legislation, rulemaking, or enforcement action.
Where states act, poisonings decline. Where they do not, retailers continue exploiting regulatory gaps.
Nationwide Call to Action
Tianeptine is not a local problem. It is a national one.
- Urge your state to act. Ask lawmakers to classify tianeptine as a controlled substance or ban its retail sale.
- Support enforcement of existing food and drug laws. Unapproved, opioid-like substances do not belong on store shelves.
- Use MAHA’s State Action directory to find contacts and resources in your state: https://www.mothersagainstherbalabuse.org/state.html
Sample Letter to State Legislators
Subject: Remove Tianeptine From Retail Sale in Our State
Dear Senator / Representative,
I am writing as a constituent to urge action on tianeptine, an opioid-like substance being sold in gas stations and convenience stores under the guise of supplements or nootropics.
Tianeptine is not FDA-approved, has well-documented addiction and overdose risks, and has caused hospitalizations and deaths nationwide. States that have removed it from shelves have done so using existing controlled substance or food and drug authorities.
Please support legislation or enforcement actions that prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of tianeptine products in our state.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City, State]
If you or someone you know is struggling with tianeptine or any substance use disorder, help is available. Contact local treatment providers, poison control, or emergency services when needed.
Removing tianeptine from retail shelves saves lives. The time to act is now.