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New Kratom Compound Triggers Overdose Warnings
8 Jun
Summary
- Regulators warn of concentrated 7-OH, a kratom derivative potentially stronger than morphine.
- Fatal overdoses and respiratory distress cases linked to potent 7-OH products are rising.
- Synthetic and concentrated 7-OH products are being sold widely across the U.S.
Federal regulators and addiction experts are sounding the alarm about concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a compound derived from kratom that some researchers suggest may be significantly more potent than morphine. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned that products containing 7-OH, such as gummies and drink mixes, are being sold nationwide, sometimes with unnaturally high concentrations.
Reports indicate a rise in adverse reactions, including fatal overdoses in Los Angeles County and numerous cases requiring medical ventilation due to respiratory distress in Pennsylvania. Poison control calls related to kratom and 7-OH have also surged in Texas and Washington, prompting concern from health officials.
The substance 7-OH occurs naturally in trace amounts in kratom leaves, typically less than 2 percent of total alkaloid content. However, the current public health concern stems from concentrated and synthetic 7-OH products, with some products reportedly containing up to 96 percent 7-OH, a stark contrast to naturally occurring levels.
Texas authorities have taken legal action against online retailers accused of deceptively marketing these synthetic kratom products. Experts highlight that these concentrated forms are chemically altered to maximize their opioid-like effects, leading to concerns about addiction, severe withdrawal symptoms, and the potential for dangerous overdose, even in young children.
