[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] February 6, 2018
Kratom Now an Opioid, FDA Says
A new analysis by scientists at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shows that compounds in kratom act like prescription-strength opioids, the agency said today.
The agency also said kratom has now been linked to 44 deaths, up from 36 reported in November.
The scientific data and adverse event reports have "clearly revealed" that compounds in kratom make it "not just a plant — it's an opioid," FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said in a statement.
"And it's an opioid that's associated with novel risks because of the variability in how it's being formulated, sold, and used recreationally and by those who are seeking to self-medicate for pain or who use kratom to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms," added Dr Gottlieb.
"Claiming that kratom is benign because it's 'just a plant' is shortsighted and dangerous," he added.
FDA scientists analyzed the chemical structures of the 25 most common compounds in kratom and concluded that all of the compounds share structural characteristics with controlled opioid analgesics, such as morphine derivatives. They also found that compounds in kratom bind strongly to mu-opioid receptors, comparable to opioid drugs.
"Based on the data we now have, we feel confident in calling these compounds opioids," Dr Gottlieb said.
Annual Death Rate
To date, the FDA has received 44 reports of deaths associated with the use of kratom. This is an increase since the agency's November 2017 advisory, which noted 36 deaths associated with kratom, as reported by Medscape Medical News.
Megan Brooks wrote this for medscape
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A new analysis by scientists at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shows that compounds in kratom act like prescription-strength opioids, the agency said today.
The agency also said kratom has now been linked to 44 deaths, up from 36 reported in November.
The scientific data and adverse event reports have "clearly revealed" that compounds in kratom make it "not just a plant — it's an opioid," FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said in a statement.
"And it's an opioid that's associated with novel risks because of the variability in how it's being formulated, sold, and used recreationally and by those who are seeking to self-medicate for pain or who use kratom to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms," added Dr Gottlieb.
"Claiming that kratom is benign because it's 'just a plant' is shortsighted and dangerous," he added.
FDA scientists analyzed the chemical structures of the 25 most common compounds in kratom and concluded that all of the compounds share structural characteristics with controlled opioid analgesics, such as morphine derivatives. They also found that compounds in kratom bind strongly to mu-opioid receptors, comparable to opioid drugs.
"Based on the data we now have, we feel confident in calling these compounds opioids," Dr Gottlieb said.
Annual Death Rate
To date, the FDA has received 44 reports of deaths associated with the use of kratom. This is an increase since the agency's November 2017 advisory, which noted 36 deaths associated with kratom, as reported by Medscape Medical News.
Megan Brooks wrote this for medscape
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