US Health Officials Warn Against Kratom-Related Products Due to Opioid Ingredient

U.S. health officials are warning about the risks of an opioid-related ingredient, 7-hydroxymitragynine, being added to energy drinks, gummies, and supplements sold at gas stations and convenience stores. They are recommending a nationwide ban on this chemical, which is a component of kratom, a plant from Southeast Asia popular in the U.S. for pain, anxiety, and drug dependence.

Dietary supplement companies selling kratom have urged the FDA to crack down on products containing 7-OH, claiming it is a dangerously concentrated, synthetic form of the original ingredient. The FDA's action is not targeting natural kratom leaf products.

The FDA is educating about the risks of 7-OH and recommending it be classified as an illegal drug due to its potency, likening it to morphine. This move aims to prevent another wave of the opioid epidemic.

The DEA will review the FDA's recommendation for a federal ban on 7-OH, which would require drafting new rules. Kratom has been under scrutiny for a decade due to addiction and overdose reports.

Last month, the FDA issued warning letters to companies selling 7-OH infused products, citing safety concerns and unproven medical claims. The move was praised by supplement executives.

An industry group, the American Kratom Association, has opposed stricter regulations on kratom, advocating for FDA oversight similar to food and dietary supplements.

In 2016, the DEA's plan to ban kratom was halted after public outcry. FDA studies have linked kratom to opioids, warning of addiction and death risks. The FDA has also cautioned against other unapproved drugs sold as supplements or energy drinks.

Overall, federal agencies are taking steps to address the risks associated with kratom and its derivatives, emphasizing public safety and regulation.