The FDA, led by Commissioner Martin A. Makary, has issued a serious warning about tianeptine, dubbed “gas station heroin,” highlighting its dangerous potential for addiction and severe health risks, including death. Tianeptine, an unapproved substance in the U.S. often sold in gas stations and convenience stores under names like ZaZa and Neptune’s Fix, has been linked to numerous adverse events, prompting the FDA to monitor its distribution. Health officials report that withdrawal symptoms resemble those of opioids, and there have been significant incidents of severe clinical effects, including hospitalization, associated with its use.
