Published: May 15, 2025 at 9:02 AM CDT
Watch the video on the KKCO 11 News Website.
Porch Light Health spoke with KKCO 11 News regarding a substance, Tianeptine, also being referred to as ‘gas station heroin.’ When taken in large doses, the drug has been compared to having opioid-like effects.
KKCO 11 News
The FDA has issued a new warning against what officials are calling gas station heroin. It’s become a growing health trend nationwide, but its long-term effects can be extremely harmful, concerning enough that 10 states have already banned it. Alex Ailey has more.
Alex Aley
Tianeptine or gas station heroine is marketed as a nootropic chemical, but it’s put into products that are distributed at gas stations, vape shops, and even some online retailers.
Alex Aley
Before coming to the United States, it was a It’s approved in other countries to help treat anxiety and depression at very low doses.
Eleanor Davis (Porch Light Health)
Now that it’s over here, it’s sold over the counter, and it’s been being abused.
Alex Aley
Products containing Tianeptine are not FDA-regulated, and they’re sold at much higher doses. They’re typically marketed as dietary supplements that improve brain function and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Eleanor Davis (Porch Light Health)
When you start getting increased doses, then you get the euphoria, you get a high from it, and then it can start causing things like psychosis, you start getting withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it.
Alex Aley
Products containing Tianeptine are sold under brand names like Pegasus, Zaza, Neptune’s Fix, Tiana, and TD Red. The FDA says it’s sold in pill, liquid, or powder forms.
Eleanor Davis (Porch Light Health)
Withdrawal symptoms are severe enough that people have required ICU admission, especially due to psychosis. Then with withdrawals, they can have seizure activity. They have to have medical management to withdrawal from it.
Alex Aley
According to the National Poison Data System, reports of bad reactions and unwanted effects have increased nationwide, from just four cases in 2013 to nearly 350 cases in 2024.
Eleanor Davis (Porch Light Health)
I’ll have the soccer mom that comes in and says, I just had a little anxiety. Somebody told me to try this. I didn’t know that it was addictive, and now I’m spending $600 a week on this stuff.
Alex Aley
Davis advises those who may be battling addiction to reach out for help or seek a medical professional.
Alex Aley
The health care professional says, be extra careful when it comes to buying supplements or any product that’s advertised as a stimulant. They’re oftentimes not regulated. In Grand Junction, I’m Alex Ailey.
KKCO 11 News
The FDA also says to call the Poison Helpline if you suspect poisoning from Tianeptine. That number is 1-800-222-1222. More details about the drug can be found on our website.
