PA 'Gas Station Heroin' Ban Moves Forward

PENNSYLVANIA — The state is a step closer to banning the sale of what commonly is known as "Gas Station Heroin."

The House on Tuesday approved a bill to ban products containing tianseptine, which commonly is available in service stations and sold under names that names that include TD Plus, Neptune's Fix and Pegasus.

The bill now goes to the state Senate for consideration. If the proposed legislation is approved there, it would go to Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk to sign into law.

Some countries have approved tianeptine to treat anxiety and depression; other countries have restricted how tianeptine is dispensed and warned of possible addiction.

According to the federal Food & Drug Administration, tianeptine is not approved for any medical use.

"Despite that, some companies are illegally marketing and selling products containing tianeptine to consumers," the FDA website states.

"They are also making dangerous and unproven claims that tianeptine can improve brain function and treat anxiety, depression, pain, opioid use disorder, and other conditions."

The clinical effects of tianeptine abuse and withdrawal can mimic opioid toxicity and withdrawal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The FDA has identified cases in which people experienced other serious harmful effects from abusing or misusing tianeptine by itself or with other drugs, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines.

These effects included agitation, drowsiness, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slowed or stopped breathing, coma and death.

The FDA is now working to ban the product. Last year, the administration formally recommended tianeptine be classified as a controlled substance. The suggestion is being reviewed by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.

"I am very concerned. I want the public to be especially aware of this dangerous product and the serious and continuing risk it poses to America's youth," the FDA's Commissioner of Food and Drugs Dr. Martin A. Makary, said in a statment last year.

"While the FDA is closely following the distribution and sale of these products, it is critical that you appreciate the magnitude of the underlying danger of these products."