Is this Withdrawal or Intoxication? Case Report Regarding Complications of Unregulated Use of Tianeptine, Etizolam, and Phenibut in the USA

Background The internet allows easy access for the sales of psychoactive agents that are not regulated by the FDA. Some of those agents are used to help manage anxiety, depression and sleep, such as tianeptine, etizolam, and phenibut. These medications have the potential for abuse and potentially leading to altered mental status when intoxicated or withdrawing. This presents a challenge to clinicians who may not be aware of availability of such substances. Available literature has discussed the use of above substances individually, but how do you treat if there is use of more than one substance with different mechanisms of actions? Here we present a case of an adult male who has used all three agents simultaneously, leading to a hospital admission. Case History A 32-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) for altered mental status (AMS). He has a documented history of anxiety but was never treated with prescription medications. No history of substance use was documented. He was self-medicating with concurrent use of tianeptine (atypical antidepressant with mu agonist properties,) phenibut (GABA mimetic) and etizolam (a benzodiazepine-like agent). During his stay, he was agitated and delirious with reports of visual hallucinations. Neuroimaging and lab studies were within normal limits, EEG showed no seizure activity. Over the course of his hospital stay, he was started on Depakote for agitation, a Valium taper for suspected benzodiazepine withdrawal and prevention of seizures, Seroquel for delirium, and baclofen for suspected GABAergic withdrawal symptoms. The patient’s AMS improved and he was discharged on hospital day 10. Conclusions This case illustrates the difficulty managing poly-substance use/abuse and stresses the importance for physicians to screen for psychoactive agents purchased over the internet or over the counter to improve treatment outcomes. Continued discussions with patients regarding risks/benefits of use of such substances would be beneficial and help increase awareness.