FDA Warns of ‘Disturbingly’ High Levels of Heavy Metals in Kratom Products
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/905604
Some kratom products contain “disturbingly” high levels of heavy metals, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned today.
“Among the heavy metals we found were lead and nickel at levels not considered safe for human consumption,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said in a statement.
FDA scientists tested 26 different kratom products. “While the levels of the specific products we’ve tested so far are not likely to result in immediate acute heavy metal poisoning from a single use, some of these products included levels that, with chronic use, could cause some people to suffer from heavy metal poisoning,” Gottlieb said.
The agency is concerned that there may be other kratom products on the market that also contain heavy metals.
No Approved Use
Kratom is derived from the leaves from the kratom tree (Mitragyna speciosa), which is native to Thailand, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. The botanical’s popularity has been increasing in the United States, with those who take it and manufacturers claiming it can help treat pain, anxiety, depression, and more recently, opioid withdrawal.
Earlier this year, an analysis of kratom by FDA scientists found that its compounds act like prescription-strength opioids, as reported by Medscape Medical News.
The scientific data and adverse event reports have “clearly revealed” that compounds in kratom make it “not just a plant — it’s an opioid,” Gottlieb, MD, said in a statement back in February. “Claiming that kratom is benign because it’s ‘just a plant’ is short-sighted and dangerous,” he added.
Kratom has been linked to numerous deaths in the United States. There are currently no FDA-approved uses for kratom, and the agency has advised against using kratom or its psychoactive compounds mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in any form and from any manufacturer.
The FDA continues to crackdown on companies selling unapproved kratom products with unsubstantiated claims about its purported benefits.
Over the past year, the agency issued numerous warnings about the serious risks associated with the use of kratom, including risks because of the variability in how kratom products are formulated, sold, and used both recreationally and by those seeking to self-medicate for pain or opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Kratom products have also been found to be contaminated with Salmonella resulting in numerous illnesses and product recalls.
Health providers are encouraged to report any adverse reactions related to kratom products to MedWatch, the FDA’s safety information and adverse event reporting program.
Filed under: General Problems
I would “like” to believe the FDA but, the agency does not seem to be too concerned about the asinine CDC “guideline” that IS in fact causing otherwise responsible users of opiate medications in an effective, tailored dosage to be ……damn near helpless. I have used kratom back in early 2017 when involuntarily reduced to 80 percent less in opiate medication with 23 years of documentation and with my pain management doctors PROFESSIONAL opinion that opiate medication in an effective dosage was in fact not only enriching my one and only life here but, was necessary for me as the LAST treatment known to medical science that could help me too continue to work, profit, and remain clear of dot/gov supplements in ANY form. I have now been waiting over 2 years for my early retirement, SS disability which I have paid in on for over 44 years. We, my wife and I have spent ALL of our life savings, sold our home, and literally are are struggling to make ends meet. I, we broke no law using opiate medication as a means to remain independent for as long as possible “thinking” that when I truly needed my Social Security money that I HAVE paid in to dot/gov for four and one half decades that I would not have to beg for it. Back to kratom. I truly hoped that kratom could be the answer to an 80 percent involuntary reduction in medication used for the last 7 years ( 25 years overall) without the request of a dosage increase or additional medication.I found that it was not quite effective enough for pain management even after buying several different ‘strains” of the plant. CBD oil alone also proved ineffective enough to release me from my prison home now. I can give kratom one positive attribute. I speak of my personal experience with the use of it. It did in fact help counter the effect of opiate use withdrawal as I still can not “stretch” what medication I now am able to receive for a 30 day supply in the aid of keeping lifetime, continuous pain under effective management. Is it not possible to grow and responsibly produce kratom HERE in the USA along with all measures taken to keep the product safe for use for the patients that do in fact state that kratom does help with their individual health issue? The USA has states with the proper climate to grow…..kratom. Too much trouble for dot/gov? Too much money to spend? Pain along with a plethora of uncomfortable to dire health issues are addressed with the use of kratom. When will we, the patients stop being persecuted? I believe that if kratom is helping many pain management patients and instead of damning the product, could it not be safely produced instead of importing it? Why not lift the ban on kratom investigation use as well as cannabis use if opiate medication has been “lawfully” prohibited? Pain, injury, and disease will not cease to be any time soon, if ever. Pain management in an effective form can not be acquired without some form of positive legislation which is not happening at this time unless cannabis use is approved in some form. It can be grown without ANY type dot/gov influence but, again it is the money that is important to our “leaders”.
I have watched FDA, Scott Gottlieb, manipulate the media with his words, so called coroners reports, & product testing, that I No Longer Believe anything coming from him or his office! There’s thousands of testimonies that defy his “informative facts”!!! Kratom is safe, Saved lives, helping tens of thousands of people every hour of the day! What a shame that such a Wonderful Natural Plant has to be defiled by the FDA!
For me,,,its a question of actually believing our government to tell the public the truth,,or is this some bullshit story to justify down the line to take away your Kratom,,,as they have pulled that type of crap ALLLLLL THEEEE TIMEEEEEE,,,,I BELIEVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS LIEING,,,,,,AND THERE ARE NOT EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF HEAVY METALS IN KRATOM,,,,jmo,,,maryw
What would you recommend for those of us who have been literally cut off from our medication for our chronic pain? Without kratom many of us (including myself) would barely be able to get out of bed on a daily basis? Please let me know your thoughts on this?
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Rachel Beals