Servier - Tianeptine Controversy: Difference between revisions
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{{InfoboxProductLine | {{InfoboxProductLine | ||
| Title = {{PAGENAME}} | | Title = {{PAGENAME}} | ||
| Release Year = | | Release Year =1983 | ||
| Product Type = | | Product Type =Drug | ||
| In Production = | | In Production =Yes | ||
| Official Website = | | Official Website =https://servier.com/en/servier/ | ||
| Logo = | | Logo =QuestionMark.svg | ||
}} | }} | ||
Tianeptine is a drug marketed as an antidepressant by the french company Servier. Tianeptine has opioid like effects, leading to potential dependence and addiction. | Tianeptine is a drug marketed as an antidepressant by the french company Servier. Tianeptine has opioid like effects, leading to potential dependence and addiction. | ||
==Mechanism of Action Controversy== | ==Mechanism of Action Controversy== | ||
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In 2007, following problems with dependency, tianeptine's manufacturer Servier agreed to modify the drug's label at the request of the French Health Products Safety Agency. This occurred after numerous cases of recreational use were identified in France between 1989 and 2004, indicating Servier was aware of the possibility that their initially proposed mechanism of action was wrong or at least incomplete. In 2001, Singapore restricted tianeptine prescribing to psychiatrists due to its recreational potential. | In 2007, following problems with dependency, tianeptine's manufacturer Servier agreed to modify the drug's label at the request of the French Health Products Safety Agency. This occurred after numerous cases of recreational use were identified in France between 1989 and 2004, indicating Servier was aware of the possibility that their initially proposed mechanism of action was wrong or at least incomplete. In 2001, Singapore restricted tianeptine prescribing to psychiatrists due to its recreational potential. | ||
Servier dealt with a similar case related to a product called benfluorex, which was originally marketed as a treatment for diabetes but was widely prescribed off-label as an appetite suppressant for weight loss. It was revealed that benfluorex had caused severe health problems in many patients, including heart valve damage resulting in numerous fatalities (estimates range from 500 to 2,000). The company was fined €2.7 million ($3.2 million) and several former Servier executives received suspended prison sentences. | |||
==Current Status== | ==Current Status== | ||
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==Consumer impact summary== | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
Despite not being FDA-approved for any medical use, tianeptine is widely available in gas stations, convenience stores, and online retailers under misleading marketing. This accessibility creates a false impression of safety and | Despite not being FDA-approved for any medical use, tianeptine is widely available in gas stations, convenience stores, and online retailers under misleading marketing. This accessibility creates a false impression of safety and legitimacy. Users are often unaware of the true nature of what they're consuming, with products frequently containing doses far exceeding therapeutic levels used in countries where tianeptine is prescribed legally—up to 3000mg compared to the 12.5-50mg therapeutic range. | ||
Tianeptine has become increasingly problematic in the United States, where it is sold as an unregulated supplement under names like "Tianaa" and "Zaza". These products have been linked to severe addiction, with poison control center cases involving tianeptine exposure increasing from 11 total cases between 2000 and 2013 to 151 cases in 2020 alone. | Tianeptine has become increasingly problematic in the United States, where it is sold as an unregulated supplement under names like "Tianaa" and "Zaza". These products have been linked to severe addiction, with poison control center cases involving tianeptine exposure increasing from 11 total cases between 2000 and 2013 to 151 cases in 2020 alone. | ||