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Tianeptine, also known as “ZaZa Red,” is a prescription medication that is marketed as a part of the tricyclic antidepressants group in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Za Za pills, however, do not work by increasing serotonin.
Rather, tianeptine works by interacting with opioid and glutamate receptors in the brain. With high doses of tianeptine, people can experience opioid-like effects. It is commonly marketed online by unregulated vendors as a supplement or research chemical. The pills are also commonly sold at convenience stores and are referred to frequently as ‘gas station dope.’
You may already be familiar with the effects of Za Za pills, but keep reading to learn more and to find effective forms of help if you have become dependent on them!
Tianeptine is one of the earliest antidepressants used for depression treatment, causing increased energy and alertness, similar to the effects produced by caffeine.
These “ZaZa Red” pills also produce effects similar to those created by opioids such as morphine. This can lead to repeated use and abuse.
Because tianeptine is considered legal in the United States, these pills can even be purchased at your local gas station, from which they got their most common slang name.
This drug may go by several different names or brand names, including:
Currently, tricyclic antidepressants that have been approved by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating depression include:
Tianeptine is still able to be legally purchased and used in all US states except for Michigan, Minnesota, and Alabama. ZaZa pills are not approved by the FDA for human consumption, nor as a dietary ingredient or food additive.
In order to bypass food safety regulations, tianeptine is often found on sale as dietary supplement capsules, marketed as a unique special blend of ingredients that help boost mood and energy levels.
The drug may also be marketed as a type of nootropic. Nootropics are a variety of natural or synthetic supplements, drugs, and other substances that are said to improve a person’s cognitive function and promote relaxation.
These products also often claim to be good at boosting one’s mood, executive functions, attention, memory, creativity, or motivation in healthy individuals. However, many of these have no evidence backing these claims.
Currently, there is no age restriction on who can purchase ZaZa capsules. Despite its widespread availability and lack of regulation, authorities have issued stark warnings about consuming ZaZa and Tianeptine products.
With a prescription for this drug, tianeptine is most commonly used to help treat major depressive disorder, as well as anxiety, asthma, and even irritable bowel syndrome. Recreationally, tianeptine products are used for their ability to produce opioid-like effects.
Various online forums document ZaZa Red being used alongside other drugs as a way of enhancing their effects. This drug has also been found to be administered in several ways, including orally, intravenously, and through inhalation.
ZaZa pills affect several key brain functions by activating opioid neurotransmitter receptors, inhibiting glutamate receptors, and stimulating dopamine production. Unlike common antidepressants, ZaZa does not cause long-term changes to serotonin levels.
Some of the most common side effects of tianeptine include:
In high doses, tianeptine can lead to addiction and other serious health conditions, including respiratory depression and overdose, which can lead to coma or even death.
If you or anyone else is displaying signs of overdose, it is important to call your emergency health services immediately, as this may require emergency medicine and clinical intervention to be properly treated.
Most reports surrounding tianeptine sodium and sulfate use find that this drug begins working within 30-60 minutes after oral ingestion. However, this product may produce a faster onset of effects when taken via different methods of consumption.
In many cases, people may experience a crash period after the initial high of their drug use, which can make them more likely to continue using the drug in order to avoid the negative after-effects. Repeated use has been associated with depression and severe withdrawal.
When misused, tianeptine has a risk for abuse and addiction. In fact, the CDC has documented cases of tianeptine misuse and addiction throughout Europe and the United States, revealing nationwide increases in calls related to intentional abuse and misuse during 2014–2017.
Unfortunately, stopping one’s use of this drug can be challenging, as this may result in the development of moderate to very severe withdrawal symptoms.
While very few cases of tianeptine dependence and withdrawal have been closely documented, this drug has been reported to cause side effects such as:
As with any other form of withdrawal, going through this period on your own can be difficult. This is why many people who are attempting to stop their use of tianeptine do so with professional support.
Yes, tianpetine, phenibut, and other forms of ‘gas station dope’ can be very addictive. With regular intake, users have reported extremely difficult withdrawal symptoms. None of these drugs are FDA approved and should not be used in a recreational manner.
In most cases, medical detox is not only helpful but it is also needed to overcome withdrawal from this class of drugs. Aside from opioid withdrawal management medications, medical detox can also offer psychiatric monitoring to help with depression and anxiety.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, whether this is to ZaZa pills or any other drug, know that you are not alone, and help IS available.
At Rehabs Of Armerica, we are dedicated to helping you find addiction treatment programs and recovery services that can provide all of your personal care needs.
Our hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide you with recovery tools and resources, anytime you need them. So call now, and we will help you get a solid start on the path to sobriety!
Anna M. joined Find Addiction Rehabs with extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment. As a former Nurse Practitioner in Miami, she found her passion for addiction treatment when a family member was lost to his disease. With each article and resource, she hopes to save other families from experiencing the anguish of a loved one’s passing due to drinking or drugs.
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