Gas Station Heroin Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Addictive Properties of ZaZa Supplements

Withdrawal symptoms from supplement’s active ingredient are similar to those of “traditional opioid withdrawal,” lawsuit claims.

A class action lawsuit alleges that tianeptine, the active ingredient in dietary supplement ZaZa, is a highly addictive compound that mimics the effects of drugs like morphine, cocaine, fentanyl and other controlled substances, highlighting the serious health risks linked to the controversial products commonly referred to as “gas station heroin”.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Ronald Bemis in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on June 23, naming MRSS Inc. as the sole defendant.

MRSS Inc., which is headquartered in Atlanta, manufactures and distributes various ZaZa-branded products, including ZaZa Red, ZaZa Silver and ZaZa White, which are commonly sold over the counter at gas stations and convenience stores nationwide.

Although it is marketed as a dietary supplement, ZaZa contains tianeptine, also known as “Tia,” which is a synthetic compound with powerful opioid-like effects that the lawsuit alleges was intentionally formulated to be both physically and psychologically addictive.

Tianeptine Side Effects Warning

Tianeptine has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, amid increasing concerns about severe and sometimes life-threatening side effects users have experienced after purchasing the products at gas stations.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a gas station heroin warning in May 2025, describing tianeptine as an unapproved drug, due to its euphoric properties and potential for misuse. The FDA has reported that tianeptine can lead to a range of serious side effects and withdrawal symptoms, including:

In his lawsuit, Bemis says he purchased ZaZa products from retail stores in Illinois in January 2025, unaware that the supplement contained a substance capable of causing opioid-like dependency. He contends that he never would have bought ZaZa had he known of its addictive potential.

According to the complaint, tianeptine functions as a full μ-opioid receptor agonist, activating the same areas of the brain as narcotics like oxycodone, heroin and fentanyl. The lawsuit states that MRSS deliberately manufactured ZaZa to induce euphoria and dependency, marketing it as a harmless dietary supplement while omitting critical safety warnings.

Bemis alleges that ZaZa users, like those addicted to opioids, often experience severe withdrawal symptoms—including insomnia, hypertension, tremors, vomiting and suicidal thoughts—and are compelled to continue using the product simply to avoid feeling ill.

The gas staton heroin lawsuit cites numerous online testimonials from consumers who became addicted to ZaZa, with some reporting financial ruin, family breakdowns and repeated hospitalizations as a result of their dependence. One Reddit user described spending over $30,000 on tianeptine products like ZaZa, maxing out credit cards and suffering withdrawal symptoms so severe they required detox treatment to survive.

Due to mounting concerns over side effects of the gas station heroin, tianeptine has been banned or severely restricted in several countries and at least 12 U.S. states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Ohio. Despite this, the complaint alleges that MRSS continues to market and sell ZaZa across the country with no warning labels or disclosures about its addictive effects.

“When reasonable consumers think of opioids, they think of heroin, fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, or morphine. They do not think that ZaZa products sold at gas stations or other local stores will act like an opioid with the same, if not greater, addiction and dependency risks as opioids.”

–Ronald Bemis v. MRSS Inc.

The lawsuit brings multiple claims against MRSS, including violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, breach of implied warranty, fraudulent concealment, unjust enrichment and negligent failure to warn. Bemis seeks class action certification, a jury trial, and compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, along with an injunction to halt ZaZa sales or require clear addiction warnings on the product.

Suboxone Opioid Addiction Lawsuits

The lawsuit comes amid broader scrutiny over opioid alternatives and treatments. For example, more than 1 million Americans have been prescribed Suboxone, a synthetic opioid used to treat addiction to heroin and other narcotics.

Marketed as a safer option for opioid addiction, Suboxone has recently come under fire for causing severe dental problems. In 2022, the FDA required new warning labels after reports linked the drug’s acidic film strips to enamel erosion, tooth decay and permanent oral damage.

As a result of these findings, Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits are now being investigated by lawyers nationwide. Attorneys handling these claims operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning individuals do not pay legal fees unless a settlement or court award is secured.

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