FDA warns about risks of 'gas station heroin'
Share this @internewscast.com

The products are sometimes called “gas station heroin,” and contain tianeptine.

WASHINGTON — Health officials urge caution before purchasing those vividly colored small bottles commonly found at gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops.

Often referred to as “gas station heroin,” these products are typically advertised as energy shots or cognitive supplements but actually contain tianeptine, an unapproved drug that can be addictive and poses risks of severe side effects.

There has been a consistent increase in calls related to the drug to U.S. poison control centers for over a decade. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to health professionals highlighting “the magnitude of the underlying danger of these products.”

Here’s what to know about gas station heroin.

How are these products sold in the U.S.?

Tianeptine is approved in a number foreign countries as an antidepressant, usually as a low-dose pill taken three times a day. But it has never been approved by the FDA for any medical condition in the U.S.

Additionally, the drug cannot legally be added to foods and beverages or sold as a dietary supplement — something the FDA has repeatedly warned U.S. companies about.

Still, under-the-radar firms sell tianeptine in various formulas, often with brand names like Zaza, Tianaa, Pegasus and TD Red. Although that is technically illegal, the FDA does not preapprove ingredients added to supplements and beverages.

“It’s kind of this grey area of consumer products, or supplements, where the contents are not regulated or tested the way they would be with a medication,” said Dr. Diane Calello of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System.

Last year, Calello and her colleagues published a study documenting a cluster of emergency calls in New Jersey tied to a flavored elixir called Neptune’s Fix. People experienced distress, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and seizures after drinking it. More than a dozen of the 20 patients had to be admitted for intensive care.

Why use these products?

Many tianeptine products claim— without evidence or FDA approval— to help users treat medical conditions, including addiction, pain and depression.

In 2018, the FDA issued a warning letter to the maker of a product called Tianna, which claimed to provide “an unparalleled solution to cravings for opiates.”

While tianeptine is not an opioid, the drug binds to some of the same receptors in the brain, which can temporarily produce effects akin to oxycodone and other opioids. Tianeptine also carries some of the same physiological risks of opioids, including the potential to dangerously depress breathing.

“That’s what tends to get people into trouble,” said Dr. Hannah Hays of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “They use it for opioid-like effects or to self-treat opioid withdrawal and that can lead to slow breathing and problems like that.”

People dealing with opioid addiction, pain, depression, anxiety and other conditions should see a health professional to get a prescription for FDA-approved treatments, Hays said.

Is tianeptine use going up?

Experts aren’t sure but national figures show a big rise in emergency calls involving the drug.

Calls to poison control centers increased 525% between 2018 and 2023, according to a data analysis published earlier this year. In about 40% of cases, the person had to seek medical care, with more than half of them needing critical care.

One explanation for the rise in calls is simply that more Americans are using the products.

But experts also say that the products are triggering more emergencies as they become more potent and dangerous. And the researchers in New Jersey who analyzed Neptune’s Fix found that the liquid also contained synthetic cannabis and other drugs.

“You never quite know what’s in that bottle,” Calello said. “It’s important for people to know that even if they have used a product before, they could get a bottle that contains something very different from what they’re looking for.”

Are there policies that could reduce tianeptine use?

Tianeptine is not included in the federal Controlled Substances Act, which bans or restricts drugs that have no medical use or have a high potential for abuse, such as heroin, LSD and PCP. But about a dozen states have passed laws prohibiting or restricting tianeptine, including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Tennessee.

In some cases, those laws have led to more cases of withdrawal among users of tianeptine, which can be chemically addictive. But state data also shows some success in reducing harm tied to the drug.

Until recently, Alabama had the highest rate of tianeptine-related calls in the southern U.S., which increased more than 1,400% between 2018 to 2021. But after the state restricted tianeptine in 2021 calls began modestly decreasing while calls across other southern states continued to climb.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mugshot of Neha Gupta, accused of murdering her daughter.

Pediatrician Allegedly Kills 4-Year-Old Daughter and Stages Drowning in Pool Amid Custody Dispute with Husband

A PEDIATRICIAN has been accused of murdering her daughter and trying to…
Family posing in their underground home in Coober Pedy, Australia.

Living in a Budget-Friendly Underground City: Luxurious Comfort and Fabulous Sleep Despite the Weather

A MUM has revealed what life is like living in a $277k…
Iran, following Trump strikes, says 'the doors of diplomacy will never slam shut'

Iran asserts that despite Trump’s strikes, ‘diplomatic channels will always remain open’

Iran’s foreign minister assures that “the doors of diplomacy remain open,” in…
3 struck by lightning on St. Pete Beach

Lightning Strikes Three People on St. Pete Beach

A 17-year-old girl was transported to Tampa General Hospital as a trauma…

Stitched with Honor: Flag Manufacturer Prepares for Nation’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

Kansas City, MO – As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary…
'This Is Spinal Tap' director Rob Reiner reflects on cult classic's success 41 years later

Director Rob Reiner reminisces on the enduring success of ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ 41 years after its release

“This is Spinal Tap” director, Rob Reiner, reflected on how misunderstood the…
Missouri judge again blocks many of the state's anti-abortion laws

Missouri Judge Repeatedly Blocks Several State Anti-Abortion Laws

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — On Thursday, a Missouri judge halted numerous…
'The Office' actor Craig Robinson reveals he's quitting comedy to 'focus on my true calling'

‘The Office’ Star Craig Robinson Announces Shift Away from Comedy to Pursue ‘My True Passion’

Is this a joke? Comedian Craig Robinson, best known for his role…
Fireworks explosion in Pacoima, California turns deadly after multiple homes set on fire

Fatal Fireworks Explosion in Pacoima, California Leads to Multiple Homes Catching Fire

A man lost his life, and a woman was critically injured following…
LL Cool J says he won't perform at Philadelphia's July Fourth festival in support of workers strike

LL Cool J Backs Workers Strike, Cancels Performance at Philadelphia’s July Fourth Festival

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rapper LL Cool J has announced he will not…
Israel releases conversations with Gaza residents amid criticisms of aid delivery system

Israel Publishes Conversations with Gaza Residents Amid Controversies Over Aid Delivery System

Israel’s Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), responsible for overseeing…
Danish national wanted in Germany arrested after allegedly spying on Jewish targets for Iran

Danish Citizen Sought by Germany Apprehended for Alleged Espionage on Jewish Sites for Iran

Authorities in Denmark have detained a Danish citizen accused of collecting data…