Using kratom comes with some risks, too, ranging from nausea and constipation to respiratory depression or slowed breathing. Kratom side effects may include nausea, dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, dependence, and potential liver and cardiovascular concerns. The most commonly reported side effects of kratom are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, and drowsiness. Kratom can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, causing flushing of the skin in the cheek or facial region, giving it a reddish-purple appearance. In addition, individuals may experience bouts of nausea, sweating, and frequent itching. These effects usually occur soon after ingestion of the substance and can persist for hours, causing considerable discomfort.
Kratom products have been linked to a small number of deaths. Nearly all deaths from kratom also involved other drugs or substances that might have been harmful. Poison control centers in the United States received more than 3,400 reports about use of kratom from 2014 through 2019. Side effects reported included high blood pressure, confusion and seizures. Some studies have found that some kratom sellers add more of the active ingredient than kratom naturally has. And because kratom products lack clear labels, it’s not possible to know how much kratom people who use it take.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A substrates) interacts with KRATOM
Depending on the amount of active ingredient in the product and the health of the user, taking kratom can be harmful. There are too few studies to be able to rate the claims about the benefits of kratom. Kratom is an herbal extract that comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree called Mitragyna speciosa. Kratom users can chew the tree’s leaves, swallow or brew dry kratom, or add the extract to a liquid. Taking both at the same time is not recommended, as both are depressants, and they can enhance each other’s harmful effects. Despite its prodrug design, people misusing Vyvanse can develop a reliance and a compulsion to take Vyvanse.
There is some evidence to suggest kratom use during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns. If you have pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or concerns about the potential effects of kratom on your heart, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide personalized advice based on your medical history and help you make informed decisions regarding the use of kratom or any other substances. In a study testing kratom as a treatment for symptoms of quitting opioids, called withdrawal, people who took kratom for more than six months reported withdrawal symptoms like those from opioid use. They may need treatments given for opioid addiction, such as buprenorphine (Brixadi, Sublocade, others) and buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone, Zubsolv). Research on the cardiovascular effects of kratom was limited, and ongoing studies were examining its safety profile.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration calls kratom a drug of concern. People who use kratom report that at low doses, kratom acts as an upper, called a stimulant. That means it makes them more alert and gives them more energy. At higher doses, people who use it report that it reduces pain and makes them feel calm and less anxious, also called a sedative.
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- Experts don’t know what level of kratom can cause those problems.
- That means it makes them more alert and gives them more energy.
- Consequently, healthcare providers do not use Kratom to treat opioid addiction, opting instead for FDA-approved medications that are safe for treating opioid use disorder withdrawal symptoms.
- Access State-Specific Provider Directories for detailed information on locating licensed service providers and recovery residences in your area.
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In the meantime, your safest choice is to work with your healthcare professional to find other treatments. This may lead to severe effects, such as liver damage and death. But kratom hasn’t been shown to be safe or to treat any medical conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned people not to use kratom because of possible harm it can cause.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A inhibitors) interacts with KRATOM
However, just because kratom isn’t as powerful as some more potent substances doesn’t mean it’s safe. According to the FDA, kratom does have opioid properties and therefore carries similar risks. Over an 18-month period, kratom was found to be a factor in more than 90 fatal overdoses.
- Users swear by kratom for lifting mood and boosting energy, but there are many safety issues and questions about whether kratom works.
- This article has been reviewed for accuracy by our peer review team which includes clinicians and medical professionals.
- If you or a loved one is living with opioid use disorder, it is essential to seek safe treatment options.
- As with all dependence, people who stop using Kratom will experience uncomfortable withdrawals that include aches, pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aggression, insomnia and other symptoms.
Accidental Overdose
Kratom is a substance derived from Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical evergreen tree native to the Philippines and New Guinea. It’s been used by Southeast Asian cultures for generations due to the energy and pleasurable sensations it provides. Some users have likened the feelings produced by kratom to those of club drugs or milder versions of common opioids. There may be other unpleasant side effects of kratom use as well.
However, as its use increases, concerns are rising over potential health risks, such as dependence, addiction, and toxicity, especially as kratom remains largely unregulated. 12 Understanding its side effects is crucial for informed choices and risk reduction. Dosing for kratom can be hard to determine because dosing and effects for kratom have not been well documented. However, data from literature reviews suggest a typical dose range for consumers in the U.S. may be less than a single gram and up to 7 grams based on data from self-reporting study participants. The average dose for nearly half of the participants was reported between 1 and 3 grams per consumption or each time, with most participants reporting daily kratom use. Contact MedMark to learn more about our medication-assisted treatment options and how we can help patients safely achieve recovery from opioid use disorder.
Consulting a healthcare provider can help determine the safest and most effective combination. The DEA notes several cases of psychosis or hallucinations have been reported after kratom consumption. Though possible, a research review suggests serious adverse effects from kratom are very rare. Contamination in herbal supplements like kratom includes excess traces of heavy metals and bacteria.
Learning about the nuanced aspects of kratom consumption can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being. Some people become addicted to Kratom, whether they started using it to help with opioid addiction or not. Since there isn’t much researched information on Kratom, this an in-depth look at kratoms long-term side effects & how to avoid them can be a scary experience. While the DEA and FDA have not yet taken official stances on Kratom, people are seeking treatment for Kratom addiction. The treatment process is similar to other drug treatments and is supervised by a medical professional.