Pfluger Takes on Legal 'Gas Station' Heroin

WASHINGTON, DC — Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) unveiled bipartisan legislation Thursday alongside Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) aimed at curbing the abuse of tianeptine, colloquially referred to as "gas station heroin." The proposed legislation, titled the Scheduling Tianeptine and Analogues Now to Defend Against Emerging Opioids Act (STAND Against Emerging Opioids Act), seeks to classify tianeptine and its analogues under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, effectively rendering their sale illegal without a prescription. Tianeptine is readily available at convenience stores, smoke shops, and online.

While tianeptine finds use in treating depression in certain European, Asian, and Latin American nations, it lacks approval from the United States Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for any purpose. Widely distributed online and at small retail outlets without prescription, it falls into the broader category of "gas station drugs," mimicking the effects of more familiar illicit and controlled substances.

The misuse of tianeptine may result in euphoric, opioid-like highs, with chronic users facing the risks of developing dependence and tolerance. Cases of overdose and its use in suicide attempts have been documented. The bipartisan STAND Against Emerging Opioids Act seeks to criminalize the sale of tianeptine without a prescription, while still allowing the FDA the discretion to approve the drug for medical use.

Rep. Pfluger commented on the urgency of addressing the threat posed by tianeptine, stating, "Tianeptine, a potent opioid-like drug, poses alarming risks, and the ease of acquiring it—like candy—is a public health threat. I am proud to work with Congressman Jimmy Panetta on bipartisan legislation to place tianeptine under Schedule III—a crucial step to getting this addictive drug out of convenience stores and gas stations. Recognizing proactive state measures and prioritizing safety, we underscore our commitment to combat the opioid epidemic and protect our communities."

Rep. Panetta echoed these sentiments, expressing concern about the increasing accessibility of tianeptine at convenience stores and gas stations. "By scheduling tianeptine under the Controlled Substances Act, the bipartisan STAND Against Emerging Opioids Act will help prevent the prevalence and abuse of this unregulated drug. As the opioid crisis continues to evolve, the federal government needs to actively monitor these types of emerging drugs as threats to our public health and safety."

In 2023, the FDA issued a warning against consuming tianeptine products. While only four cases of tianeptine exposure were reported nationwide in 2013, this number surged to at least 391 cases in 2023. Notably, tianeptine has been banned in nine states, with several states implementing the ban just last year.