Episode 33: Tianeptine – From Antidepressant to Gas Station Heroin

This week on The Tox Lab, we're taking a closer look at tianeptine—a drug originally developed as an antidepressant, but now making headlines as “gas station heroin” due to its opioid-like effects and increasing misuse across the U.S.

We explore a compelling clinical case of high-dose tianeptine withdrawal, examine national poison control data highlighting common symptoms and severity of presentations, and discuss a recent outbreak in New Jersey involving cases of acute toxicity linked to contaminated tianeptine products.

Tune in as we break down the pharmacology, patterns of harm, and public health concerns surrounding this emerging substance.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to the papers we discussed:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11254389/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13181-024-01053-6

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11933608/

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