In a recent development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers regarding the use or purchase of products from the supplement brand Neptune's Fix. This action comes after the FDA received numerous reports of severe reactions, including seizures and hospitalizations, associated with these supplements. The agency is currently testing samples to identify any illegal or harmful ingredients.

Neptune's Fix supplements claim to contain tianeptine, an opioid alternative used as an antidepressant in certain Latin American, Asian, and European countries. However, it is important to note that tianeptine is not approved for use in the United States. The FDA has previously cautioned against the use of this "potentially dangerous" substance, as it has been linked to addiction and fatal overdoses.

Officials are concerned that Neptune's Fix products may potentially contain other substances, which are being illicitly sold online and at various retailers such as gas stations, vape shops, and smoke shops. The FDA's decision to test these products follows a warning issued by health officials in New Jersey, who identified a cluster of poisonings related to tianeptine products, including those sold under the Neptune's Fix brand.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, more than half of the patients who ingested these products experienced seizures, with some requiring hospitalization. Additionally, individuals presented with a range of severe symptoms such as hallucinations and vomiting after consuming these supplements. Reports from New Jersey's poison control center have indicated 23 calls related to tianeptine since June 17, with more than half attributed to Neptune's Fix.

Neptune's Fix products have been purchased from various locations, including gas stations, delis, vape shops, tobacco shops, convenience stores, and online platforms. Notably, gas stations have been the most commonly reported location of purchase, according to Dalya Ewais from the New Jersey Department of Health.

At present, it remains unclear which states, besides New Jersey, have reported issues related to Neptune's Fix to the FDA. The duration of the agency's testing process is also unknown. Unfortunately, an FDA spokesperson was unable to provide immediate comment on the matter.

In recent years, authorities have intensified efforts to combat the prevalence of tianeptine supplements. The CDC highlighted an increase in calls to poison control centers regarding tianeptine abuse and withdrawal in 2018. Due to its widespread availability in convenience stores and small retailers, tianeptine has earned the moniker "gas station heroin." Multiple states have taken measures to restrict its sale, and the FDA has previously cautioned against other brands including Za Za and Tianna Red.

Florida's attorney general implemented an emergency rule designating tianeptine as a Schedule I controlled substance in the state. Similar actions to tighten controls on the drug have been taken in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee. Federal prosecutors have also pursued legal action against companies involved in smuggling and selling tianeptine products in the United States.

Emergency rooms have reported an increase in cases of individuals experiencing withdrawal symptoms from tianeptine, including delirium requiring intensive care and high doses of sedating medications. Dr. William Rushton, head of the University of Alabama's Medical Toxicology program, emphasized the severity of withdrawal symptoms associated with the drug.

As the investigation unfolds, the FDA's warning serves as a crucial reminder to consumers to exercise caution and avoid Neptune's Fix supplements. The agency's ongoing testing aims to ensure public safety and prevent any further harm caused by these potentially dangerous products.