Beshear bans sale of products with tianeptine, unapproved drug with opioid-like effects that has caused overdoses and deaths
Gov. Andy Beshear has signed an emergency regulation that bans the sale of products containing tianeptine, an unregulated drug known as “gas station heroin” that produces opioid-like effects, his office announced. The order classifies tianeptine as a Schedule I controlled substance, with no known medical use.
“Side effects from abusing or misusing tianeptine by itself or with other drugs, like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, include agitation, drowsiness, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slowed or stopped breathing, coma and death,” Beshear’s office said in a news release.
The FDA says eports of bad reactions to tianeptine, and unwanted effects from it, are increasing. “Some companies are illegally marketing and selling products containing tianeptine to consumers,” FDA says. “They are also making dangerous and unproven claims that tianeptine can improve brain function and treat anxiety, depression, pain, opioid use disorder, and other conditions.” The agency also says people with a history of opioid-use disorder or dependence may be at greater risk of abusing tianeptine.
Resources for addiction and recovery include FindHelpNowKY, the Kentucky Help Call Center (833-8KY-HELP) and the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort, or KORE.