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In a nationwide effort to curb the illegal distribution of tianeptine, an antidepressant with opioid-like effects, law enforcement agencies are intensifying their crackdown on vendors selling the drug.
Tianeptine, nicknamed “gas station heroin” and often marketed as a dietary supplement or nootropic, is not federally scheduled in the U.S., but its misuse has prompted bans in 11 states, most recently in Florida.
Police operations, including raids and undercover stings, are being launched to target businesses, particularly gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores, where the drug is illegally sold under brand names such as Zaza, Pegasus and Tianaa.
According to the FDA, users report experiencing excruciating withdrawal symptoms between doses or when attempting to stop using the drug, as it affects opioid receptors.
Recent undercover operations highlight the increasing law enforcement action against tianeptine vendors.
For instance, in a joint operation on November 7, the Tippah County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics arrested two individuals for selling tianeptine at a gas station.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 1,590 doses of Zaza, 40 ounces of liquid Zaza, kratom, Viagra, a small amount of meth, two firearms and over $8,000 in cash.
In Florida, which banned tianeptine in September, authorities conducted a large-scale operation in October, raiding over 50 stores in 27 counties and seizing 653 packages of the drug. Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson reported that over 5,000 pounds of raw and packaged tianeptine were later destroyed in the state.
“We will relentlessly pursue and use the full force of the law to combat the proliferation of narcotics and illicit substances that continue to be found across Florida,” Simpson said in a press release.
Federal actions against tianeptine sellers are on the rise, with a California man being recently convicted of smuggling the drug from China and an Arizona CEO pleading guilty to distributing unapproved drugs.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized the dangers of tianeptine, citing over 600 calls to poison control centers and five deaths related to exposure from 2020 to 2022.
Moody also announced an emergency ruling in September, reclassifying tianeptine as a Schedule I controlled substance.
Tianeptine, also known as Coaxil or Stablon, was initially developed as an antidepressant in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Despite international use, the FDA did not approve it for use in the U.S. due to the high risk of misuse and abuse. The drug, which causes a similar high to opioids and exhibits addictive properties, is available to purchase online and in some states.
Health officials warn that tianeptine is not safe in its current form, particularly at doses higher than those approved in other countries.
The FDA also reported several adverse events, including withdrawal symptoms, agitation, drowsiness, confusion and even death in cases of abuse.
“Medical journals and reports to the FDA suggest that adverse events may occur when tianeptine is taken at doses higher than the doses prescribed in the country where the drug has been approved,” the FDA said in a press release.
As the crackdown continues, authorities are grappling with the challenge of deterring both sellers and users while addressing the potential public health consequences of abruptly cutting off individuals from the drug.
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