Kentucky governor issues emergency regulation curbing sale of 'gas station heroin'

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WZTV) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has signed an emergency regulation designating an unapproved drug known as "gas station heroin" as a Schedule I controlled substance.

The drug targeted in the emergency order is tianeptine, which can be purchased online and at gas stations. Also known as ZaZa, Tianna, TD Red, and Pegasus, tianeptine is described as an "unsafe food additive" according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The drug is not only unapproved by the FDA, it has also been found to be addictive and linked to overdoses and even death according to the FDA. As an example, the FDA says from 2000-2013, there were just 11 cases to poison control involving the drug. In 2020 alone, there were 151 cases reported.

Tianeptine has been found by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mimic the effects of opioids and cause withdrawal effects for users who stop ingesting the product. A study on animals and humans has found the drug affects the same mu and delta opioid receptors.

The FDA adds side effects from using tianeptine can include: agitation, drowsiness, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slowed or stopped breathing, coma, and death.

In a media release on the emergency order, Beshear says the move makes Kentucky a "safer place."

“Until now, someone looking for a heroin-like high could walk into certain places or buy this harmful product online. We’re committed to protecting Kentuckians from this kind of harm, and if someone is struggling with abuse, we’re here to help," he said.

Tianeptine was pulled off shelves in Tennessee last year following legislation which designated it as a schedule II controlled substance.