The Great Imitator: A Case of Accidental Kratom Overdose

If you are taking kratom, avoiding alcohol and other drugs is essential. When it’s mixed with other drugs, the effects may be amplified, leading to dangerous complications like overdose. It contains compounds such as mitragynine and 7-OH, which have stimulant properties and can have sedative effects. Currently, one must be 21 or older to purchase kratom and 7-OH, which is a synthetic form of kratom.

Kratom Overdose: Risks and Rising Deaths

If you, or someone you know, overdosed on Kratom, call for help immediately. These side effects are dangerous and potentially fatal, so quick medical intervention is crucial. Because of this, not much is known about Kratom’s dosage and overdose risk.

Kratom Overdose Risk Factors

• There are no approved medical uses for kratom, and the FDA has issued warnings about its risks, including the potential for abuse and addiction.
• Generally, if there are no signs of opioid withdrawal, there is no current maximum safe dose of naloxone.
• When someone is taking a low dosage of kratom, you can expect similar effects to other stimulants such as caffeine.
• A study published in the Journal of Clinical Toxicology found that poison control centers received 1,807 cases of Kratom exposure between 2011 and 2017.

If you or someone you know is suffering from kratom misuse and addiction, The Recovery Village Ridgefield is here to help. We offer multidisciplinary approaches to overcoming substance use disorders and can help you get your life back on track. Contact us today to learn more about treatment options that can work well for your situation. The research is limited to the addictive potential of kratom and its long-term risks and effects.

Treatment Options for Kratom Addiction

Kratom companies and lobbyists often market the plant as a safe way to escape opioid addiction. However, medical records confirm that the majority of kratom-only overdoses involved people with a history of opioid misuse. More than half had previously used drugs such as oxycodone or heroin. In several cases, individuals overdosed on kratom while attempting to wean themselves off stronger opioids.

• A California bill that would have imposed regulations on kratom products has been shelved.
• A female in her 40s with a past medical history of depression and anxiety was brought to the ED by her husband in a private vehicle, presenting with altered mental status.
• Kratom is a substance derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia that is sold in the U.S. in powder, capsule and extract form.
• A healthcare professional may prescribe pain-relieving medication or drugs that address different symptoms.
• And we’re a nonprofit, allowing us to prioritize fact-based investigative and public-service reporting for our community.

She agreed to follow up with her primary care practitioner and return to the ED if any new or worsening symptoms occurred. She was signed out AMA with her husband but was given a naloxone kit in the department, and both the patient and her husband were instructed on how to use it if necessary. A female in her 40s with a past medical history of depression and anxiety was brought to the ED by her husband in a private vehicle, presenting with altered mental status.

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A study published in the Journal of Clinical Toxicology found that poison control centers received 1,807 cases of Kratom exposure between 2011 and 2017. A person who experiences pain or other symptoms as a result of a health condition should speak with their doctor. A healthcare professional may prescribe pain-relieving medication or drugs that address different symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 91 fatalities resulting from kratom overdose in 2016–2017 throughout 27 states in the United States. However, it is important to note that in 84 of these 91 cases, other substances were also involved. The products are legal to sell and have no federal drug restrictions on their production.

If you are struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.

However, to our surprise, the patient’s urine toxicology was negative for opioid or fentanyl use. Fortunately, in our case, the patient became alert shortly after interventions and was able to give us a history of large-volume kratom consumption. Due to the patient’s presentation of pinpoint pupils, altered mental status, hypoxia, and respiratory depression, naloxone was given per the ER protocol. Shortly after 2 milligrams of intravenous naloxone administration, the patient became more responsive and alert, and her pupil diameter increased to 5 millimeters. can you overdose on kratom However, as soon as the patient was more alert and able to converse, she adamantly denied opioid use.

Sustained Recovery

The shot-like capsules of kratom and other “botanical” supplements may look harmless as they line convenience store counters, but the risks are well documented. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there were 1,807 kratom-related exposure calls between 2011 and 2017, and the number has continued to rise since then2. Kratom use may have some benefits, but no research proves its effectiveness. Some organizations are currently researching kratom’s potential benefits and uses, however. But, generally, 5 to 15 grams of powdered Kratom might be classified as a high dose.

How do people use it?

However, there are also some dangerous side effects, which this article discusses further below.

POWER is an organization that provides woman-centered addiction treatments. Clinical Director Kara Hall said there are no current drug screenings for kratom and 7-OH. A California bill that would have imposed regulations on kratom products has been shelved.

Research has not yet confirmed whether these differences are strictly dose-dependent or influenced by other factors such as method of consumption.41017. If you suspect someone is overdosing on kratom or other drugs, call 911 immediately. The signs may not be as recognizable or obvious as alcohol or opioid overdose signs, but it is a dangerous situation. The FDA advise that certain substances in kratom have opioid properties that expose users to the risks of substance use disorder, misuse, and dependence. Health officials are warning about the potentially deadly dangers of a synthetic kratom compound after it was linked to three recent fatal overdoses in Los Angeles County. Investigations led by the Tampa Bay Times have revealed that some kratom products are heavily enhanced or adulterated with concentrated alkaloids.

Medical and regulatory experts agree that kratom acts like an opioid, carrying real risks of addiction, withdrawal, and even fatal overdose. The Recovery Village Ridgefield offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. Polysubstance use disorders that include kratom can be serious or even lethal.

Her pulse oxygenation was initially unmeasurable, but her lips and extremities appeared cyanotic. She was immediately placed on a bag valve mask with supplemental oxygen. Her score on the Glasgow Coma Scale was 3, and point-of-care glucose was 203 milligrams/deciliter. After bagging with supplemental oxygen, her pulse oxygenation was noted to be 90%. While the team was getting IV access and giving naloxone, the airway cart was being set up, and a respiratory therapist was called to the ED.