DON’T USE AND DRIVE! –
Jan. 24, 2024 – Many tianeptine users are taking the substance because they believe it’s a safer alternative to opioids like heroin and fentanyl or because they’re trying to wean themselves off these other drugs. “Some people have turned to tianeptine as an opioid alternative, or to self-treat anxiety or depression.”
The use of tianeptine by itself or in combination with other substances can cause a slew of side effects, including nausea, high blood pressure, vomiting, coma, slowed or stopped breathing, and death, per the FDA’s 2022 warning.
The misuse of tianeptine can lead to “euphoric, opioid-like highs” that, with continued use, can lead to dependence and tolerance for the drug, according to a July 2023 study published in the journal Pain and Therapy.
