What is Tianeptine Sulfate?

Tianeptine is a member of the class of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). It has been found to have anxiolytic and mood-altering effects. Despite being a tricyclic drug, tianeptine has a significantly different pharmacologic profile than the average TCA and is thought to produce effects through action at several unique receptors. Tianeptine has found use in the treatment of asthma and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and may affect neural plasticity (learning).

How Does Tianeptine Work?

Animal and human studies have shown that tianeptine sulfate is effective for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, severe depression, and for many other illnesses.

Tianeptine Sulfate Dosage

Tianeptine sulfate dosage is typically 25 mg once, or twice a day. Even when starting with a low dosage, it’s best to limit it to 2 or 3 days a week with at least 3 – 4 days in between.

Tianeptine sulfate comes in capsule or powder form. It is recommended to start with a low dosage and increase by small amounts until the correct dosage is attained. Additionally, smaller doses reduce the potential for addiction, severe withdrawals, and tolerance.

Doses of 50 – 75 mg can be stimulating. A tianeptine sulfate recreational dose of > 100 mg may cause a tianeptine sulfate high sensation.

Benefits & Side Effects.

Benefits

Tianeptine has been primarily used to treat depression, with some off-label use in the treatment of asthma and IBS. Following reports of improved cognition and euphoria from patients, researchers began to find that tianeptine had unique properties not seen with other TCA drugs. Subsequent research, particularly into interactions with receptors, indicates that tianeptine may dramatically affect human cognition, mood, and learning with very few side effects.

Depression, Stress, and Neuroplasticity

Tianeptine sulfate improves brain neuroplasticity and decreases depression. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt and change when learning; contributing to better cognitive performance and improved learning ability,

Parkinson’s Disease

Animal and human studies have been conducted on the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with tianeptine sulfate, showing promising results in improving mental health scores.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) And Panic Disorders

A study of 90 patients with PTSD showed positive results with the use of tianeptine sulfate. Studies have also shown that with treatment with tianeptine sulfate and significant reduction in panic disorder. Tianeptine sulfate given to elderly patients has shown to improve anxiety neurocognitive function.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment (ADHD)

A preliminary study of 68 outpatients with ADHD concluded that the mean scores improved significantly and that tianeptine is beneficial in enabling better attention abilities and decreased hyperactive behaviors.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment (IBS) 

228 patients had relief from IBS at 4 weeks into a study with less pain, stool frequency, a better quality of life, and overall satisfaction with Tianeptine treatment.

Asthma Treatment

The Institute of Experimental Medicine in Caracas conducted a 52-week randomized trial of children with asthma. Patients administered tianeptine showed a major increase in lung function.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Although more research is required, a study of 237 men with ED determined that tianeptine could be an effective therapy.

Side Effects

The side effects of tianeptine are surprisingly limited. Compared to other TCAs and even the SSRI class of antidepressants, tianeptine is almost free of side effects. Despite its mild side effect profile, it is important not to mix tianeptine with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or other antidepressants as the combinations could be life-threatening. Tianeptine should also not be mixed with anesthetics and its use should cease 24-48 prior to surgical intervention requiring anesthetics or hypnotics. Here are a few of the more common side effects associated with tianeptine.

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Indigestion

• Vomiting

• Dry mouth

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Changes in appetite

• Dizziness

• Respiratory depression

• Sleepiness

• Blurred vision

• Decreased sex drive

• Headache

• Itching
  

Tianeptine Sodium vs Sulphate.

Early production of tianeptine resulted in a sodium moiety in the TCA ring. It was originally developed and patented by the French Society of Medical Research but has since been manufactured by Laboratories Servier SA in France, which sells tianeptine under the trade names Coaxil, Stablon, and Tatinol.

The production of tianeptine sulphate was a calculated move by a U.S.-based nootropic company to address the fact that tianeptine isn’t sold in many “western” markets. By changing the basic molecular structure, it is possible to skirt patent laws. In general, no company would take this risk, but it was deemed acceptable because Servier is not actively pursuing marketing of tianeptine in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. Because the drug is effective in treating a variety of conditions, it is unclear why Servier has not pursued marketing in the lucrative “western” markets. Regardless, they have not pushed their patent protections and so it continues to be manufactured and sold as tianeptine sulphate rather than sodium to individuals who can benefit from it.

Anecdotal reports suggest that the sulphate form of the drug make it more effective than the sodium form. Users report gentler dose-response curves, easier dosing, less highs and lows in mood, and no crash when the drug is discontinued. There is some speculation that the more gradual onset of action of the sulphate form of the drug may make it less addictive, which is generally true for any drug.

*Tianeptine products sold for research purpose only.