HYDEN, KY - The Leslie County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday May 2, 2023 used Facebook to relay the following message to all local business owners:
On March 23,2023 Governor Andy Beshear signed an emergency regulation classifying all products with Tianeptine as a schedule l controlled substance in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
As a Schedule l controlled substance any products containing Tianepine can no longer be sold in KY.
Tianeptine products are known by many different names including but not limited to Tianeptine sulfate, Tianeptine sodium powder, Tirana’s, Tianna green, Tianna red, Tianna white, Pegasus, Za Za, and "gas station Heroin".
Individuals and businesses caught selling Schedule l controlled substances are subject to criminal penalties under Kentucky Revised Statute as a Class D felony.
We advise all businesses to remove this product from your shelves immediately.
Photo credit: CDC
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MARCH PRESS RELEASE FROM KENTUCKY.GOV
Gov. Beshear Takes Step To Stop Sale of ‘Gas Station Heroin’
FRANKFORT, KY (March 23, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear signed an emergency regulation classifying all products containing tianeptine, an unregulated drug known as “gas station heroin” that produces opioid-like effects, as a Schedule I controlled substance.
Tianeptine, which is available online and in convenience stores and gas stations, has no known medical use. It has been linked to serious harm, overdoses and death according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug is approved for use in other parts of the world, where it is marketed as Coaxil or Stablon. In the United States, tianeptine is known as ZaZa, Tianna, TD Red and Pegasus.
Side effects from abusing or misusing tianeptine by itself or with other drugs, like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, include agitation, drowsiness, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slowed or stopped breathing, coma and death.
Tianeptine is an unapproved drug in the United States, where reports of bad reactions and unwanted effects are increasing. Cases described in medical journals, calls to poison control centers and reports to the FDA suggest tianeptine has a potential for abuse. People with a history of opioid-use disorder or dependence may be at particular risk of abusing tianeptine, according to the FDA.
“Today, Kentucky became a safer place,” said Gov. Beshear. “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.”
Resources for addiction and recovery include FindHelpNowKY, the KY Help Call Center (833-8KY-HELP) and the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort, or KORE.
Gov. Beshear will host a news conference at 11 a.m. Friday at the state Capitol to talk about the state’s response to addiction and recovery.
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