ROANOKE, Va. WDBJ – There was a time when people could walk into a gas station and buy a drug called gas station heroin, which is similar to actual heroin in its effects.
John Downs, a medical toxicologist and director of Virginia Poison Control, explains that taking this drug, called Tianeptine, can cause serious side effects like coma, slow breathing, and even stop someone from breathing altogether.
Tianeptine is mainly used to treat anxiety and depression, but the Virginia Board of Pharmacy recently ruled that it should not be used for medicinal purposes, limiting access to it. However, Downs says that it’s still being used more than ever.
We used to get about two to three calls a year about it. But in 2024, we’ve already had 16 calls,” Downs said.
Tianeptine is also known as ZA-ZA or Tianaa and comes in forms like capsules, liquids, and powders. It was first developed as an antidepressant in Europe in the 1980s and made its way to the U.S. in 2015. It has become more popular over time.
Adam Neal, from the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition, says people often mix Tianeptine with other dangerous substances like synthetic marijuana, which can make it even more dangerous.
“This drug is mostly used by young adults and acts on the same brain receptors as heroin,” Neal said. “In high doses, it can cause a feeling of euphoria, leading to addiction, where people keep buying more.”
Even though Tianeptine is harder to find now, some people in Virginia are experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.
The withdrawal can be awful—things like agitation, nausea, high blood pressure, and sweating, just like with other opioid drugs, Neal said.
Tianeptine is classified as a Schedule I drug in Virginia, meaning it is highly controlled. However, this classification will only last until July 2025 unless a state law makes it permanent.