Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Pleasant Hills, is pictured during a 2025 committee meeting when House Bill 377 was approved out of committee.

The state House of Representatives has approved legislation to ban a substance known as “gas station heroin” in Pennsylvania.

House Bill 377 was first introduced by Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Pleasant Hills, in April 2023. The legislation would prevent the manufacture, delivery or possession of tianeptine, commonly sold by the names Zaza, Coaxil, Tianna or Stablon. Individuals convicted of violating the law could face penalties of up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000.

“Tianeptine, an antidepressant, can produce feelings of euphoria that mimic the effects of heroin and other opioids, making it highly addictive,” Kuzma said. “Unfortunately, since I first introduced this legislation three years ago, the problem has only become more widespread. I have heard from individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth about the devastating impact this drug has had on their lives.”

The bill passed the House by a 200-2 vote with Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, among those voting in favor. The only dissenting votes came from Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Bellevue, and Rep. Jim McAndrew, D-Penn Hills. The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

Tianeptine is a prescription drug in Europe but often sold as an ingredient in products sold in gas stations and online in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for use. U.S. businesses are selling it by labeling it not for human consumption or adding it to dietary supplements. In April, Fayette County Coroner Bob Baker called for a nationwide ban after his county experienced its first overdose due to the drug.

Fifteen states, including Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Tennessee, have passed identical laws.

According to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, which was allowed to ban tianeptine in Ohio starting in December 2022, the availability of an unregulated, tricyclic antidepressant without any medical supervision presents a serious risk to public health. Board members said media reports indicate that patients are utilizing tianeptine to either manage withdrawal or initiating use based upon the reported opioid-like effects. Because there are no regulations for tianeptine, many patients have been consuming the drug at doses higher than the doses prescribed in the countries where the drug has been approved. Quality can differ as well because tianeptine is not subject to the same FDA regulatory scheme — including inspections of manufacturing facilities, quality assurance testing and adverse event monitoring — as similar antidepressants approved for use in the United States.

Side effects from abusing or misusing tianeptine by itself or with other drugs include agitation, drowsiness, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slowed or stopped breathing, coma and death. People with a history of opioid-use disorder or dependence may be at particular risk, Beshear said, citing the FDA. The drug (marketed as Coaxil or Stablon) is approved for use in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), case reports demonstrate that tianeptine toxicity mimicked opioid toxicity and that naloxone was an effective therapy. Neonatal abstinence syndrome mimicking opioid neonatal abstinence syndrome has occurred after tianeptine dependence during pregnancy. Kentucky is the latest state to ban the drug after Gov. Andy Beshear signed an emergency regulation March 23 that applies to products containing tianeptine.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order in December allowing the state Board of Pharmacy to ban all products containing tianeptine. That ban took effect on Dec. 22, 2022. In February 2022, the FDA issued a consumer update on tianeptine products linked to serious harm, overdoses, and death. In the alert, the agency notes that it has identified cases in which people experienced other serious harmful effects from abusing or misusing tianeptine by itself or with other drugs, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines. These effects included agitation, drowsiness, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slowed or stopped breathing, coma and death.

“We cannot afford to wait for federal action while this dangerous substance continues to harm our communities,” Kuzma said. “Every day that passes is another opportunity for addiction, overdose and tragedy. We have a responsibility to act now to protect our citizens, particularly our young people, from a drug that has no legitimate place in the retail marketplace.”