Gas stations are notorious for selling new synthetic drugs that have not yet been outlawed by the federal government. These drugs can be extremely dangerous, however, they are marketed as a safe and legal version as other illicit drugs.

For example, many people are familiar with the synthetic marijuana craze that occurred only a few years back. Spice or K2 bags were being sold at gas stations as a legal version of marijuana. Despite being marketed as a marijuana equivalent, spice caused an array of unpredictable effects, physical health conditions, and psychological issues.

While synthetic marijuana was finally found out for its dangerous effects and banned from being sold, a new drug has made its way into our local gas stations. Here is everything you need to know about gas station drugs.

What is “Gas Station Heroin”?

A new synthetic drug, commonly referred to as “gas station heroin,” is being sold at gas stations across America. Also known as ZaZa, Stablon, Coaxil, Tianna Red, or Pegasus, this dangerous substance claims to provide users with a full day’s worth of focus and energy.

ZaZa is advertised as a dietary supplement, however, this drug is an atypical antidepressant. People have reported experiencing similar effects to opioid drugs like morphine. Additionally, some people have experienced symptoms of alertness, boosted cognition, and even improved mood.

The effects of “gas station heroin” have proven to be habit-forming and highly addictive. Most individuals who take this drug are using extremely high doses (up to 15 bottles a day). The main ingredient in ZaZa is a substance known as tianeptine, which is not approved for use in the United States.

What Does Tianeptine Do?

Tianeptine is a popular gas station drug that is marketed as ZaZa and known as “gas station heroin.” This substance is a tricyclic antidepressant that is only prescribed in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The United States has not approved the use of tianeptine due to the dangers this substance presents.

Instead of increasing serotonin and dopamine like most antidepressants, tianeptine affects opioid and glutamate receptors in the brain. This is why individuals experience side effects similar to that of opioid drugs like morphine or oxycodone.

The side effects of high doses of tianeptine include:

• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Weird or unusual dreams
• Confusion
• Difficulty breathing and respiratory depression
• Overdose
• Coma
• Death

Although this substance is not approved by the FDA, gas stations and online vendors are getting away with selling these gas station drugs by labeling them as “not for human consumption.” This is something we saw when synthetic marijuana was being sold in gas stations as well.

Tianeptine is slowly being banned in the U.S., with states like Michigan, Minnesota, and Alabama scheduling this drug as a controlled substance.

The Dangers of Tianeptine Use

Tianeptine is an extremely dangerous substance, especially because individuals who abuse this substance take large doses to experience their desired “high”. When taken in large doses, this drug produces similar effects as opioids. Because of this, dependency, addiction, withdrawal, and overdose are common concerns associated with tianeptine use.

Overdose on Gas Station Drugs

Tianeptine can lead to overdose when individuals take large doses of the drug.

A 2018 study found 15 cases of tianeptine overdose, with 3 cases being fatal.[1] Additionally, a study in Texas found two more cases of fatal tianeptine overdoses.[2] The current data that is available on tianeptine overdose is limited, as this drug is relatively new to the market.

This is extremely concerning, as most individuals misusing this substance are taking high doses to experience the effects they desire.

 

Signs of a tianeptine overdose mimic that of an opioid overdose, including:

• Slowed, irregular, or shallow breathing
• Changes in heart rate
• Cardiovascular damage
• Heart attack
• Coma
• Death

Withdrawal from Gas Station Drugs

Because tianeptine is an addictive substance, individuals who frequently abuse this drug will experience symptoms of withdrawal if they suddenly stop using it. One of the common symptoms of withdrawal is rebound anxiety or depression, often causing the individual to begin abusing tianeptine again.

Other symptoms of tianeptine withdrawal include:

• Low mood
• Symptoms of depression
• Inability to feel pleasure
• Numbness
• High physical energy
• Inability to sleep, insomnia, or other sleep disorders
• Excitability
• Worry
• Symptoms of anxiety

According to a clinical toxicology report, tianeptine withdrawal symptoms commonly included agitation, anxiety, myoclonic jerking, and gastrointestinal distress.[3]

They also found that the withdrawal symptoms appeared rapidly, as soon as one to two hours after the individual’s last dose. Additionally, a toxicologist reported that they had “to put a lot of people in the intensive care units (ICUs) because the withdrawal symptoms were so bad and often included delirium requiring high doses of sedating medications.”[3]

Find Help for Addiction Today

If you or a loved one have been repeatedly abusing one of the new gas station drugs known as ZaZa or Tiana, you may be suffering from an addiction. This drug is relatively new and synthetically made, meaning the long-term effects of this substance are widely unknown. Because of this, attending professional addiction treatment is vital for your safety.

Contact Rehab Recovery Centers today for more information on how to find treatment for tianeptine addiction today.

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30149933/
2. https://academic.oup.com/jat/article/42/7/503/4939213?login=false
3. https://www.uab.edu/reporter/outreach/uab-in-the-community/item/9574-toxicologist-unravels-the-dangerous-medical-mystery-of-zaza-alabama-s-gas-station-dope