In the 1990s, many people were shocked to learn that the “supplements” they bought to help them lose weight were actually ephedrine, a decongestant medication that is sometimes used to manufacture methamphetamine. After the government moved to make it harder to purchase ephedrine, it might have been expected that other potentially concerning drugs would be under increased scrutiny; however, “gas station heroin” is proof that there are still loopholes that allow for similar issues to occur, even today. At Safe Harbor Recovery Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, we think it is important for the community to understand the risks associated with these products that are currently available over the counter.
What Is “Gas Station Heroin”?
Over the past decade, the FDA and poison control centers have been seeing increased medical issues from several different products that are sometimes referred to as “gas station heroin.” These products include:
Tianeptine
This medication is legally prescribed to treat depression in several countries. Misuse can produce highs like morphine, heroin, or other opioids. It is not FDA-approved because there are serious risks of overdose and dependency. Despite being an opioid and not being FDA-approved, the federal government has not yet identified it as a controlled substance. It is available for purchase, under brand names like Tianaa, Zaza, Neptune’s Fix, Pegasus, and TD Red, despite being illegal to sell. Because it works like an opioid, by binding to the same receptors that regulate breathing and heart rate, an overdose can result in a person’s heart or breathing stopping.
Other effects of tianeptine ingestion include:
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- High blood pressure
- Nausea/vomiting
- Sweating
Kratom
This substance is extracted from the leaves of an evergreen tree that grows in Southeast Asia. At low doses, people report that kratom acts like a stimulant. At higher doses, people experience more sedative effects. One issue with this drug is that the potency varies wildly within the leaves from which it is derived. It is therefore impossible for users of this substance to know how much they are ingesting. Because there has been limited study of this product, there is limited knowledge of what the long-term impact of use might be.
The known side effects of kratom include:
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Nausea/vomiting
- Constipation
- Liver issues
- Muscle pain
- Hypertension
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Tremors/seizures
7-OH
This is a chemical that naturally occurs in trace amounts in kratom; however, when additional amounts are added, it can increase the risk posed to those using it, experiencing symptoms like those listed above.
How “Gas Station Heroin” is Sold
These products are often marketed as supplement tablets, gummies, drink mixes, or drinkable shots. They are typically sold online, in corner stores, at gas stations, and by smoke shops.
Because they are so easily accessible, consumers often underestimate the dangers these products can pose. The Virginia Poison Center at VCU Health encourages people to remember that the safest place to buy products that promise medicinal or mental health benefits is a pharmacy and that products purchased elsewhere may make false claims or be unsafe.
Reversing Overdoses from “Gas Station Heroin”
Because these substances are similar to opioids, naloxone (Narcan) is sometimes effective in reversing an overdose from kratom or tianeptine, but may offer only limited effectiveness, because of how pharmacologically complex the substances can be. Even if it seems like Narcan is working to reverse an overdose, always call 911 and get the person medical care immediately.
How Virginia is Responding
Because the federal government has not officially made these products-controlled substances, each state is allowed to make its own decisions about how to respond. In Virginia, the laws are as follows:
- Tianeptine: This was banned in 2025.
- Kratom: This has been regulated since 2023 under the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Purchasers must be at least 21 years old, products must contain a warning label, and quality control regulations are in place.
- 7-OH: While the FDA has recommended that this become a controlled substance, as of late 2025, it was still legal in Virginia.
At Safe Harbor Recovery Center, we help people who are struggling with addiction, where their drug of choice is a legal or illegal substance, as well as mental health conditions that may accompany their substance use disorder.