‘Gas Station Heroin’: Lawmakers Question FDA on Proliferation of Addictive Opioid-Like Drug

‘You have to keep using it to keep from withdrawing. And when you do withdraw off it, it’s like you are withdrawing off two to three drugs at one time’

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in White Oak, Md., on June 5, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

A bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week over the use of an “extremely addictive” drug called tianeptine, questioning how the agency intends to deal with it.

“We write to request information about the FDA’s actions to address tianeptine use. Tianeptine, which is commonly known as ‘gas station heroin’ and sold under brand names like Zaza and Tianna, has opioid-like qualities and is extremely addictive,” the lawmakers wrote in a Jan. 18 letter to the FDA commissioner. “We urge the FDA to take immediate action to research and provide guidance on tianeptine use.”