Gas Station Heroin: The Addictive and Illegal Substance That’s Still on Store Shelves

A substance known as “gas station heroin” has been quietly making its way into convenience stores and smoke shops across the U.S. Triggering concern from public health officials, tianeptine, an over-the-counter drug that’s technically illegal under federal law, has become easy to purchase.

Tianeptine is a synthetic antidepressant developed in France in the 1960s. While it’s used as a prescription drug in some countries for depression and anxiety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has never approved it for medical use. At high doses, tianeptine has opioid-like effects and can lead to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and overdose.

Manufacturers and sellers often pass under the radar of the FDA by selling the drug under names like “Zaza” and “Tiana,” or listing tianeptine products as dietary supplements. Although the FDA has released warnings about severe health risks including agitation, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, and even coma or death, enforcement will be inconsistent until tianeptine is classified as a controlled substance federally.

Today, Michigan, Ohio, and Alabama have banned sale of the drug entirely after increase of emergency room visits and calls to poison control related to tianeptine. For the rest of the country, authorities recommend heightened awareness, especially among parents, as products are often marketed with flashy packaging that appeals to teens and young adults.