Zaza Drug: The Lethal Reality of Gas Station Heroin

Written by

Medically Reviewed by

Often referred to as gas station heroin zaza drug tianeptine is available under brands like Zaza Red and Tianna. You might see them at local gas stations, convenience stores, or even online, marketed as brain-boosting supplements. Some European countries approve tianeptine for treating conditions like depression and anxiety, but that doesn’t make it safe. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t given it the green light, primarily because of its link to serious health risks, including addiction and even death.

From the years 2014-2019, use of the Zaza drug increased “24-fold.” Available for purchase at gas stations, it’s been the latest trend in a concerning track of dangerous gas station substances.

What Is Tianeptine?

Simply put, tianeptine is a type of antidepressant mainly used to treat severe depression, and sometimes anxiety. Just because it’s easy to get doesn’t mean it’s safe. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved it because of the serious health risks it poses – some people have even died from using it. While some say it can treat anxiety, depression, and addiction, these claims have to be balanced against the known dangers.

 

Whether identified as Tianna, Zaza, or by its chemical structures, Tianeptine pills are addictive. Chronic usage can result in pronounced withdrawal signs and drive individuals to seek out other substances similar to opioids. Alarming is its combination with substances like alcohol or opioids, escalating the risk of overdose and associated health issues. Its opioid-like effects, comparable to drugs such as kratom, are a significant concern. Ongoing studies continue to reveal its numerous side effects, which range from mild discomfort to severe psychological and neurological issues.

 

What Are Other Street Names For “Zaza” Drug?

Common street names for tianeptine include:

  • Zaza
  • Tia
  • Tianna
  • Gas-station dope
  • Gas-station heroin
  • TD red
  • Pegasus

 

Tianeptine is sometimes referred to as tianeptine sodium, and it often goes by brand names Coaxil and Stablon.

 

Identifying Tianeptine Withdrawal and Abuse

Withdrawal symptoms from Tianeptine can manifest rapidly and are influenced by how long, how frequently, and how much of the substance has been consumed.
Some of these symptoms are:

  • Anxiety
  • Altered appetite
  • Discomfort
  • Emotional disturbances
  • Sleep irregularities
  • Possible suicidal ideation

 

Abuse signs become evident when an individual struggles to reduce intake, requires higher doses for the same effect, combines it with other drugs, or faces withdrawal symptoms.

Alarmingly, when habitual users cease Tianeptine consumption, they can experience:

  • Irritability
  • Exhaustion
  • Elevated perspiration
  • Confusion
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Hypertension
  • Nausea
  • Respiratory challenges
  • Coma
  • In worst cases, death

 

How Long Does Tianeptine Stay In Your System?

Tianeptine breaks down quickly in the bloodstream, making its half-life short, around 2.5 hours. This rapid breakdown can cause withdrawal symptoms to appear almost immediately, and users start to feel the craving after the intake. Given that tianeptine activates opioid receptors, its withdrawal symptoms are dangerously similar to those of opioids.

Tianeptine Overdose

What Happens If You Take Too Much Tianeptine pill?

Too much tianeptine can lead to overdose, which would end up being fatal. Don’t forget, the sypmtoms of tianeptine are also similar to those seen in opioid overdoses. If an overdose is suspected, it’s crucial to call 911 and ask for medical assistance.

How Much Zaza Drug Tianeptine Is An Overdose?

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifies that lethal overdoses of tianeptine pills are often tied to serum concentrations ranging from 4,000 to 18,000 ng/ml.

What Are Tianeptine Overdose Symptoms?

Overdosing on tianeptine can lead to very serious health complications such as drowsiness and confusion, both signs that the body is struggling to flush and avoid the drug’s effects. Reports show that many people reported that they had trouble breathing, which can turn into a fatal and life-threatening state that can result in a coma.

Zaza or Tianna, which contains tianeptine, can potentially cause a relapse in individuals who have a history of opioid addiction. Tianeptine acts on the brain’s opioid receptors and produces effects similar to opioids. Therefore, using Zaza could trigger cravings and a return to opioid use in individuals in recovery.

Still Detox understands the difficulties that can be a challenging start to your recovery journey and we will make sure to be able to guide you each step of the way. Situated in Boca Raton  and as one of the important Florida alcohol and drug treatment centers, we are prepared to create a personalized treatment plan, all while educating you and helping you navigate your unique path to sobriety alongside peers and professionals.

Sources:
CDC
FDA – Tianeptine products linked serious harm overdoses and death
National Library of Medicine

Recent Posts
alcohol and drug rehab in Boca Raton Florida
Still Detox: A safe and supportive place to heal and grow