You’ll most often find tianeptine at gas stations or corner stores. It is typically kept behind the counter with kratom, CBD, and energy supplements.

Smoke shops and vape stores are major distributors, often carrying wider varieties than gas stations. The internet remains a vast marketplace, shipping powders and solutions directly to consumers’ homes with unverified purity and potency.

Tianeptine products feature bright colors, bold lettering, and names suggesting power or relief. Common marketing claims include “Mood Boost,” “Focus and Energy,” “Pain Relief,” and “Relaxation.” These packages rarely list exact tianeptine amounts or warn about addiction risks.

Although tianeptine is classified in some countries as an antidepressant, it works very differently from standard antidepressants that target serotonin. At high doses, tianeptine activates the brain’s mu-opioid receptors—the same receptors triggered by morphine and heroin.

This can produce:

• Intense euphoria
• Sedation and relaxation
• Pain relief
• Dopamine release

The danger lies in how quickly tolerance develops. Medical reports show that dependence can form within days when misused. People often escalate from taking a few pills to consuming multiple bottles daily, sometimes reaching hundreds of milligrams or even several grams per day. The FDA has warned that misuse at these levels significantly increases the risk of addiction, and studies suggest extremely high rates of dependence among those who misuse it.

One of the biggest risks is accessibility. Unlike prescription opioids, tianeptine does not require a prescription in many states. In places like Northern Illinois, it can still be purchased legally in gas stations and smoke shops.

This availability creates a false sense of safety. Many people assume that if a product is sold in a store, it must be regulated and safe. In reality, these products are often labeled as “dietary supplements” to avoid stricter oversight.

Manufacturers frequently promote tianeptine as a “legal heroin alternative” or mood booster. Labels may claim benefits such as:

• Improved mood
• Sharper focus
• Reduced anxiety
• Relaxation and stress relief

Brand names commonly found in stores include:

• ZaZa (often in red, silver, or white bottles)
• Tianaa (sometimes mixed with kratom or kava)
• Neptune’s Fix (liquid shots or tablets linked to FDA warnings)
• TD Red
• Pegasus

These products are typically marketed to individuals seeking relief from pain, anxiety, opioid withdrawal, or emotional distress, without highlighting the addiction risks.

Tianeptine currently exists in a legal gray area at the federal level and is not federally scheduled, though the FDA has issued multiple warnings and enforcement letters to companies marketing it unlawfully.

As of 2025, several states, including Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina, have banned the substance.

In Illinois, tianeptine remains legal to purchase, though awareness of its risks is increasing.

Local law enforcement and health officials are increasingly encountering tianeptine-related incidents. Because it’s sold legally, it’s often perceived as a “safer” alternative by young adults or those avoiding illicit drugs.

Emergency departments in Illinois are seeing patients with symptoms that mimic opioid overdose but may not respond typically to standard treatments. The increase in poison control calls highlights the need for local providers to recognize tianeptine exposure.

Young adults aged 21 to 45 are the primary demographic for tianeptine misuse, targeted by marketing as energy or mood supplements. Financial accessibility compared to prescription pills makes tianeptine attractive to younger individuals.

Users often report physical dependence after only a few uses. Because the drug has a short half-life, its effects wear off quickly, prompting frequent re-dosing. Research suggests nearly all individuals who misuse tianeptine develop dependence, often escalating daily intake from milligrams to grams.

Misusing tianeptine can lead to severe health issues. Virginia’s 2024 cases included one-third requiring ICU for toxicity or withdrawal. In 2025, a New Jersey cluster linked Neptune’s Fix to death, seizures, and heart problems.

Health risks include:

• Neurological: Agitation, confusion, drowsiness, coma, or seizures.
• Cardiovascular: Rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and prolonged QT interval.
• Respiratory: High doses can slow breathing to dangerous levels.

Because tianeptine products aren’t FDA-approved, there’s no manufacturing oversight. A single bottle can vary wildly in potency from batch to batch.

Products sold in the gray market risk adulteration with other substances, including synthetic cannabinoids or fentanyl. Consuming a product containing unknown amounts of tianeptine mixed with other opioids creates life-threatening situations.