Short answer: Tianeptine is an antidepressant approved in some European, Asian, and Latin American countries but never in the US. At high doses it activates opioid receptors, and it has been sold in gas stations and online as a supplement, earning the nickname "gas station heroin". The FDA has repeatedly warned against it, many states ban it, and in July 2026 the DEA proposed placing it in Schedule I.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Tianeptine is an atypical antidepressant with opioid agonist activity and not a federally controlled substance.
- Medical use: None in the US.
- Timing: effects start in about 1 hour and last 2 to 4 hours.
- Most dangerous mix: Other antidepressants, which can cause unpredictable effects.
- Naloxone: it reverses an overdose.
- Dependence risk: High.
- Legal route: tianeptine is not federally scheduled as of October 2026, but state bans, FDA restrictions, and pending federal action can apply; check current status.
What is tianeptine?
Tianeptine was developed in France in the 1960s and is prescribed for depression in several countries at 12.5 mg three times a day. At much higher doses, it acts as a full agonist at mu-opioid receptors, causing opioid effects.
At high doses tianeptine causes euphoria, relaxation, and pain relief similar to opioids, along with drowsiness, nausea, and constipation. Its short half-life leads people to redose many times a day.
Quick facts
| Fact | Tianeptine |
|---|---|
| Chemical | Tianeptine sodium or sulfate |
| Product names | Za Za, Tianaa, Neptune's Fix, TD Red |
| Drug class | Atypical tricyclic antidepressant; mu-opioid agonist at high doses |
| US legal status | Not federally controlled; Schedule I proposed (July 2026); banned in about 15 states |
| FDA status | Not approved; warnings and import alerts |
| Approved elsewhere | Prescribed for depression in France and other countries (Stablon, Coaxil) |
| Onset | About 1 hour |
| Duration | 2 to 4 hours |
| Half-life | About 2.5 hours |
How long does tianeptine last?
- Starts working: About 1 hour
- Effects last: 2 to 4 hours
- Half-life: About 2.5 hours
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of tianeptine?
Overdose and death: the FDA has linked tianeptine products to seizures, loss of consciousness, and deaths, both alone and with other drugs. Poison center calls rose from 4 in 2013 to about 350 in 2024.
Contamination: FDA testing found some products, such as Neptune's Fix, contained synthetic cannabinoids and other undeclared drugs.
Dependence: daily users rapidly develop severe opioid-like dependence, often taking grams per day.
What should you never mix with tianeptine?
| Combined with | What happens | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Opioids | Additive breathing suppression | High risk |
| Benzodiazepines, alcohol, sedatives | Deep sedation, slowed breathing | High risk |
| Other antidepressants | Unpredictable effects | Avoid |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a tianeptine overdose, and what should you do?
Tianeptine overdose looks like opioid overdose: extreme sleepiness, slow or stopped breathing, pinpoint pupils, and unresponsiveness. Agitation, fast heartbeat, confusion, and seizures have also been reported. Naloxone reverses its opioid effects.
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, cannot be woken, has blue or gray lips, or is breathing slowly or not at all.
- Give naloxone (Narcan or a generic nasal spray, sold without a prescription) into one nostril. If there is no response after 2 to 3 minutes, give another dose.
- If you are trained, give rescue breaths. Otherwise place the person on their side so they do not choke.
- Stay with them. Naloxone can wear off before tianeptine does, so the overdose can return even after the person wakes up.
- Most states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who call 911 for an overdose from some drug charges.
Is tianeptine addictive, and what is withdrawal like?
Tianeptine withdrawal resembles opioid withdrawal and can be severe after heavy use.
- 8 to 24 hoursSymptoms beginAnxiety, sweating, runny nose, muscle aches, cravings.
- Days 1 to 4PeakDiarrhea, vomiting, insomnia, agitation, and in some cases confusion.
- 1 to 2 weeksResolvesPhysical symptoms ease; mood symptoms can last longer.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full tianeptine withdrawal guide.
Is tianeptine legal?
Federal law: tianeptine is not approved by the FDA and cannot legally be sold as a dietary supplement or medicine. The FDA has issued repeated warnings and seized products.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| France | Prescription antidepressant with special prescribing rules since 2012 |
| Russia | Controlled substance |
| United Kingdom | Not licensed; prescription-only medicine |
| International | Not under UN control |
Frequently asked questions about tianeptine
Why is tianeptine called gas station heroin?
Because it is sold in gas stations and smoke shops and causes opioid-like effects, dependence, and overdoses at high doses.
Is tianeptine legal in the US?
It is not FDA-approved and cannot legally be sold as a supplement. About 15 states ban it, and the DEA proposed Schedule I in July 2026.
Does naloxone work on tianeptine?
Yes. Naloxone reverses its opioid effects in overdose.
Is tianeptine an antidepressant?
Yes, in some countries at low prescribed doses. The US has never approved it.
Sources
- Tianeptine products linked to serious harm, overdoses, death, US Food and Drug Administration.
- Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Tianeptine in Schedule I, proposed rule, Federal Register, July 8, 2026.
- National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Tianeptine profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
