UPDATE: Since our last blog was written, on
11/15/17, the death toll linked to kratom has risen to 44. A new analysis at the FDA shows that the
compounds in kratom act like opioids. “Claiming that kratom is benign because
it’s ‘just a plant’ is shortsighted and dangerous.”
The FDA concluded that all of the
compounds in kratom are structurally similar to morphine. These compounds also bind to cells the same
way opioids do.
Especially concerning is that at
least one reported death was in an individual who had no known prior opioid
use. "Cases of mixing kratom, other
opioids, and other types of medication are extremely troubling because the
activity of kratom at opioid receptors indicates there may be similar risks of
combining kratom with certain drugs, just as there are with FDA-approved
opioids.”
Kratom should not be used to treat
medical conditions, nor as an alternative to opioids. There is no evidence that
it is safe or effective.
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Over the past several years, a botanical substance known as kratom has raised significant concerns given its increasing prevalence and potential safety risks resulting in the FDA issuing a “public health advisory” [source]. Evidence shows that kratom has effects similar to opioids, and carries similar risks of abuse, addiction and in some cases, death. Thus, it’s not surprising that kratom is often taken recreationally by users for its euphoric effects.
Kratom is a plant that grows naturally in Southeast Asia. It has gained popularity in the U.S., with some marketers touting it as a “safe” treatment with broad healing properties. Reportedly, some are using kratom to treat conditions like pain, anxiety and depression, which are serious medical conditions that require proper diagnosis and oversight from a licensed health care provider.
Calls to U.S. poison control centers related to kratom exposure increased 10-fold from 2010 to 2015, in which there were 263 calls. The FDA is aware of reports of 36 deaths associated with the use of kratom-containing products. The FDA issued a public health advisory on November 14, 2017, related to mounting concerns. The next day, the American Kratom Association (AKA) petitioned the FDA to “review and correct” this finding. The AKA, a consumer-based nonprofit organization, said the advisory is based on "discredited, incomplete, and mischaracterized scientific claims" and should be retracted. However, since we have hit a critical point in the opioid epidemic, the increasing use of kratom as an alternative or adjunct to opioid use is extremely concerning. In addition, there is no reliable evidence to support the use of kratom as a treatment for opioid use disorder.
For additional information, please visit the link below. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm584970.htm
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