Substance guides

Tianeptine (gas station heroin): The dangerous supplement

Published August 20, 2025 · 7 min read · Updated April 2026

Reviewed for accuracy by licensed clinical professionals.

Tianeptine is sold as a supplement (ZaZa, Tianna, Neptune Fix) at gas stations and convenience stores but acts as an opioid agonist at high doses, producing effects similar to heroin and causing severe opioid-like withdrawal.

What it is

Tianeptine is a prescription antidepressant in other countries that at therapeutic doses (12.5mg) affects the serotonin system. At the doses used recreationally (100-1000+mg), it acts primarily on mu-opioid receptors, producing opioid-like euphoria.

The danger

Opioid-like overdose at high doses including respiratory depression. Severe opioid withdrawal upon cessation of heavy use. No quality control or dosing standardization. Frequently taken in massive doses (20-80x the therapeutic dose).

Withdrawal

Tianeptine withdrawal closely resembles opioid withdrawal: muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, and severe cravings. Buprenorphine (Suboxone) has been used successfully to manage tianeptine withdrawal.

Regulatory response

Several states have banned tianeptine. FDA has issued warnings. Poison control center calls related to tianeptine have increased dramatically.

Authoritative sources

This article references guidelines from: NIDA · SAMHSA · CDC

Frequently asked questions

What is gas station heroin?

Tianeptine sold as supplements (ZaZa, Tianna) at gas stations. At high doses it acts as an opioid, producing euphoria and severe withdrawal.

Is tianeptine dangerous?

Yes. Overdose can cause respiratory depression. Withdrawal is severe. Products have no quality control or standardized dosing.

Is tianeptine legal?

Legal in most states but banned in several. FDA has issued warnings. Regulatory action is increasing.

Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357.