‘Gas station heroin’ is no longer allowed in Virginia, but health experts continue to see its deadly impact

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WRIC) -- This year, Virginia joined the growing list of states banning a dangerous drug "tianeptine." However, that hasn't stopped Virginians from messing with the pharmaceutical dubbed "gas station heroin."

The FDA recently issued a warning about tianeptine and state health officials confirmed they are seeing an influx in calls involving the drug.

The drug is used primarily as an antidepressant in Europe, Asia and South America, but it's not approved for use in the United States.

8News spoke with UVA Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center Medical Director Dr. Chris Holstege to learn more about the scope of this concern.

"As a society, we have to get a better control on this," Dr. Holstege said when asked about the harmful pharmaceutical and it's use across the country. "It's just not acceptable from my standpoint."

This year, the Virginia Board of Pharmacy classified tianeptine as a "Schedule I" drug — making it illegal to sell in the state. Prior to this decision, Virginians could purchase the substance over-the-counter at many local gas stations.

Poison center officials noted that calls concerning the drug have been on the rise since 2015.

"We've lost control, and I continue to have problems in my practice because I've taken care of these overdose patients. I'm taking care of patients and withdrawal from these products," Dr. Holstege explained.

The doctor added that -- even just last year -- he would see products containing the substance at convenience stores right outside his office. With the new ban in place, he said he's curious to see how related call volumes shift. He explained how serious the drug's impact can be and from where it loosely obtained its name.

"It does start to act like an opioid and can actually kill people like you would see with a fentanyl overdose or a heroin overdose," Dr. Holstege said.

Despite a growing number of states banning tianeptine, it's still largely unregulated and widely available across the country — and online. Experts said it's currently impacting men ages 20-40 the most.

Dr. Holstege told 8News that patients may stop breathing, fall into a coma and die. He added that there's a tremendous amount of misinformation surrounding the drug and that it's severely underreported.

"We're seeing pharmaceuticals being sold in other countries coming in as like 'natural products' -- being mislabeled in this country," Holstege said. "That's a strange phenomenon that's been developing in our country and I think it's a dangerous one for us, too."

If you find this product still on Virginia store shelves, experts advise you to inform the police.
And if you need help or guidance surrounding such substances, click here.