Those are a few of the brand names of tianeptine, also known as “gas station heroin.”
This week, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signed legislation reclassifying the substance as a schedule three drug, effectively banning its sale and distribution.
John Herrington, clinical director of Pine Grove Behavioral Health’s “Next Step” program, said people have overdosed and even died from the drug.
He said tianeptine is being marketed as a dietary supplement that helps you relax but it acts similar to an opiate.
“I’ve actually had some people in treatment where it’s become a drug of choice now,” said Herrington.
Herrington said people may consider the product to be a safe alternative to harder drugs, but it has actually caused some to seek treatment.
“I actually had a guy in treatment tell me in the past he was using opiates–heroin being one of his drugs–got clean off that then had some struggles, went back but then was using this thinking that this was a safer thing,” Herrington said.
“But he actually said it was just as hard or harder on his body and even harder to come off of.”
Dr. Joseph Nosser, William Carey University assistant professor of pharmacy practice, said if patients don’t continue taking tianeptine, they can present with opioid-like withdrawal symptoms.
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