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Study Links Kratom to Serious Side Effects and Deaths

Study Links Kratom to Serious Side Effects and Deaths

July 11, 2019 — The herbal supplement kratom, often used to relieve pain or symptoms of opioid withdrawal, has been linked to severe side effects and at least 4 deaths in a new study.

The study “Kratom Use and Toxicities in the United States” was published in Pharmacotherapy.

Katom was linked to severe side effects, such as seizures and death. Some people also appear to go through withdrawal when they stop taking kratom, similar to opioid withdrawal.

The study investigated a total of 2,312 reports of people who experienced side effects after using kratom, including 935 cases where kratom was the only substance the person used.

The most common symptoms reported were:

  • Agitation (18.6%)
  • Rapid heartbeat (16.9%)
  • Drowsiness (13.6%)
  • Vomiting (11.2%)
  • Confusion (8.1%)

The most serious side effects reported were:

  • Seizure (6.1%)
  • Withdrawal (6.1%)
  • Hallucinations (4.8%)
  • Breathing problems or respiratory depression (2.8%)
  • Coma (2.8%)
  • Cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest (0.6%)
  • Death

There were 4 deaths where kratom was listed by the coroner as a cause or contributing factor in the death, according to death certificates from County Medical Examiner’s Office in New York State.

Lead author William Eggleston at Binghamton University in New York said that kratom “may have a role in treating pain and opioid use disorder,” but warned more safety studies are needed:

“Our findings suggest kratom is not reasonably expected to be safe and poses a public health threat due to its availability as an herbal supplement.”

Do I have a Kratom Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting kratom induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by severe side effects, overdose, toxicity, liver failure, or suffered death, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Dietary Supplement Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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