What is it?
Kratom is an herbal supplement that has properties similar to other opioids. It is not recommended as a treatment for pain at this time due to lack of research, harmful side effects, and product contamination.
Kratom is an herbal supplement known to have both stimulant and calming effects. It may also have pain-relieving properties similar to opioids. However, kratom cannot be used as a substitution for prescription pain medications, because studies on its safety or usefulness in humans have not been conducted. Its use is banned in some countries and US states due to potential for abuse. Moreover, some kratom products were recalled due to contamination.
What are the potential uses and benefits?
In general there are very limited data on effects in humans for all uses. More research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of this herbal supplement.
Anxiety
Although animal studies suggest kratom may relieve anxiety, it may also cause anxiety in humans during withdrawal.
Insomnia
Kratom appears to have sedative effects at higher doses.
Pain relief
Kratom appears to have pain-relieving effects at higher doses.
Stimulant
Lower doses of kratom have been traditionally used for its stimulating effects. It may also cause appetite suppression.
What are the side effects?
Withdrawal symptoms: Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chills, sweats, muscle spasms and pain, decreased appetite, or diarrhea; anxiety, irritability, depressed mood, hot flashes, sleeping difficulty. Symptoms are more likely with heavier use.
Case reports
Numerous adverse effects involving the use of kratom and mitragynine have been reported in the medical literature across the following categories:
- Addiction, withdrawal symptoms
- Depression/anxiety relapse
- Heart and lung problems
- Kidney and liver injury
- Multiorgan dysfunction/failure
- Psychosis, seizures
- Tissue damage
- Temporary paralysis
- Overdose, death
What else do I need to know?
Patient Warnings:
- The FDA recently recalled powdered kratom supplements for salmonella contamination and issued a public health advisory against kratom. It also issued warnings of addiction and overdose risks similar to that of other opioids.
- The Drug Enforcement Administration includes kratom on its Drugs of Concern list. These substances are not currently regulated by the Controlled Substances Act, but pose risks to persons who abuse them. In addition, the National Institute of Drug Abuse identified kratom as an emerging drug of abuse.
Do Not Take if:
- You have heart problems: Lab studies and case reports suggest kratom could worsen heart problems.
- You are taking CYP450 or UGT substrate drugs: Kratom may affect the clearance of these drugs.
- You are taking P-glycoprotein substrate drugs: When taken with psychoactive drugs that are P-gp substrates, mitragynine may cause significant toxicity.
Special Point:
- Several countries and US states have banned kratom.