FDA

FDA warns against "gas station heroin" tianeptine

May 9, 2025

FDA issued a warning about the rising trend of tianeptine, often referred to as "gas station heroin," being sold in gas stations, convenience stores, and online. Tianeptine, an unapproved drug in the U.S., is marketed under various names such as Tianaa, Zaza, and Pegasus. Despite being used as an antidepressant in some countries, its use in the U.S. has been linked to severe health risks including addiction, withdrawal symptoms similar to opioids, and even death. Case reports in medical literature describe consumers ingesting daily doses on the order of 1.3 to 250 times (50 mg to 10,000 mg) the daily tianeptine dose typically recommended in labeled foreign drug products. FDA has reported a significant increase in adverse events related to tianeptine, urging healthcare professionals to report any cases of tianeptine-related harm.

Source:

(2025, May 8). FDA. New “Gas Station Heroin” Tianeptine Product Trend. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/new-gas-station-heroin-tianeptine-product-trend