Illegal Kratom in 'Cat's Claw' Tablets Kills Utahn

The Utah Department of Agriculture and the Utah Poison Control Center have issued a critical warning following a death and multiple severe health incidents linked to mislabeled kratom products. Investigations are currently underway concerning Buzzers brand Cat's Claw tablets, which were discovered to contain illegal kratom alkaloids. These substances, including mitragynine pseudoindoxyl and MGM-15, are Schedule I drugs under Utah law.

The deceptive packaging, labeling the product as 'Cat's Claw' instead of kratom, complicated initial identification. This discovery was made only after incidents prompted poison control to submit samples for testing. Utah enacted a ban on non-pure-leaf kratom products during its 2026 legislative session, following earlier reporting on the dangers of kratom, often referred to as "gas station heroin."

Kratom, derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree in Southeast Asia, is not FDA-approved for any medical use. The Utah Department of Agriculture is collaborating with retailers and law enforcement to remove these dangerous products from shelves. In suspected overdose cases involving these kratom products, the poison control center recommends administering naloxone. Individuals concerned about adverse effects can contact the Utah Poison Control Center 24/7.