This is true. Tianeptine (sometimes called gas station heroin) is not an FDA-approved drug in the U.S. and does not meet the definition of a dietary supplement. It is found illegally in over-the-counter products marketed as a supplement but is considered an unsafe food additive. Specific product names include “Neptune’s Elixir”, “ZaZa”, “Tianna”, and “Tiara”. The FDA warns that this substance can be addictive, dangerous and may negatively interact with certain medications.

Tianeptine is not an approved medication in the U.S. In some other countries, it is approved to treat depression, but it comes with warnings that the substance can be addictive and not to take the medication over the prescribed dose.

Tianeptine acts in similar ways to an opioid in the brain, and overuse and withdrawal symptoms can mimic that of opioid use. It can also interact with certain prescribed medications and cause life-threatening side effects. Some adverse effects of tianeptine include seizures and loss of consciousness.

Cases of dangerous reactions to this substance in the U.S. have increased. Poison Control Center cases involving tianeptine have increased from 11 cases between 2000-2014 to 151 cases in 2020 alone.

Alabama, Michigan, and Minnesota have classified tianeptine as a controlled substance, and Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee have banned the sale of products that contain it. In states that have banned its sale, the number of reported adverse reactions has gone down significantly.

On November 21, 2023 the FDA issued a warning telling people not to use any Neptune’s Fix products that contain tianeptine after receiving several reports of adverse reactions. The FDA states that while these products can be widely available at gas stations and convenience stores, they are not safe.

On January 23, 2024 the FDA issued an additional warning that they continue to receive reports of adverse reactions including loss of consciousness and death to Neptune’s Fix Products. Neptune’s Fix agreed to voluntarily recall its products, any store that sells them should remove them from shelves immediately.

Products that contain tianeptine are still available in gas stations, convenience stores, and online. Customers should check labels and be cautioned against using any products with tianeptine which may be marketed to treat anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and opioid addiction, among other things. More information on the risks of using tianeptine can be found here.

The FDA did not report the number of cases of adverse reactions received to Neptune’s Fix products. It is likely that many of these cases have not been reported.

It is unclear how widely available Neptune’s Fix products are after the voluntary recall, they could still be present in gas stations and convenience stores. Other products sold under different brand names such as “ZaZa”, “Tianna”, and “Tiara” also contain tianeptine, and it is important to check product labels before use.