February 2, 2024 – A brand new CDC report says synthetic cannabis has been present in some so-called gas station heroin products, which are sometimes marketed as mood-boosting supplements that may also help with alertness or energy.
The products have been the topic of frequent FDA warnings through the years because they’ve often been found to also contain the antidepressant tianeptine, which may have opioid-like effects. The CDC new report The focus was on 17 people in New Jersey who suffered serious health problems last yr after taking toxic doses of tianeptine products.
Thirteen people were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 7 people needed to have a respiratory tube inserted. According to the report, none of them died, but they’d altered mental status and a variety of other problems, including a rapid heart rate of over 100 beats per minute, low blood pressure, seizures and other heart problems.
Fourteen of the people within the report took products sold under the brand name Neptune's Fix.
Testing among the Neptune's Fix products utilized by the people within the report discovered a substance sometimes used to treat anxiety called kavain, in addition to two kinds of synthetic cannabis.
“It was a surprise to even find these compounds there,” said Dr. Diane Calello, medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center and writer of the CDC report NBC News. “This is probably not what the people who bought these products were looking for.”
The report warned that medications which have potentially serious clinical effects could also cause dependence.
While another countries regulate tianeptine as an antidepressant, it is just not approved to be used within the United States. The FDA has issued regular warnings lately concerning the drug's presence in products marketed as weight-reduction plan pills and dietary supplements. Some Product names According to the FDA, these included “Tianaa”, “Tianeptine sulfate”, “ZaZa Red” and “Pegasus”.
Last month, the FDA devices Urge people not to buy or use Neptune's Fix or other tianeptine products as people have been reported to have seizures, faint and die.
“These products may also interact in life-threatening ways with other medications a consumer may be taking,” the FDA warned.
Tianeptine products sell online for about $30 or less, and one online seller described the consequences as “fast-acting and long-lasting mood support, helping you get through everyday stress with ease.” Experience the life-changing effects this powerful elixir and open the door to a happier, more fulfilled person.”
The manufacturer of Neptune's Fix products has issued one voluntary recall This emerges from a notice published on the FDA's recall website.
“The products are being recalled because they contain tianeptine, an ingredient not approved by the FDA for medical use,” the recall notice states. The company said it has notified dealers and customers by mail and is arranging for the return of all recalled products.