The Texas Department of State Health Services is advising the public to avoid products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a compound found in the kratom plant. Officials report that while 7-OH occurs naturally in low levels in kratom, concentrated forms are increasingly being sold as liquid extracts, powders, and gummies.
According to the Texas Poison Center Network, there have been 192 reports this year of exposures involving kratom or products with 7-OH. This number is higher than previous years; there were 107 such reports for all of 2024 and 122 in 2023. Of the cases reported this year, 19 involved concentrated forms of 7-OH, and in 11 cases people required treatment at healthcare facilities due to serious health effects.
Symptoms associated with using these products include nausea, vomiting, agitation, confusion, sweating, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, breathing difficulties, drowsiness or loss of consciousness, and seizures.
Products containing kratom or its chemical derivative are sometimes promoted as natural treatments for pain relief or anxiety and as aids for opioid withdrawal. However, neither kratom nor products containing concentrated 7-OH have FDA approval for medical use. There is no evidence showing these products are safe or effective.
“People should:
Avoid all products containing 7-OH, including products that claim to treat a health ailment.
Examine the packaging and label when buying candies and other treats.
Keep kratom and 7-OH products away from children and pets.
Talk to children and teens about the dangers of 7-OH and kratom products.
Consult a doctor or pharmacist before using any supplements, especially ones marketed for pain, energy or mood.
Talk to a health care provider if help is needed with opioid addiction, anxiety, mood disorders, pain or other ailments.
Contact a health care provider or call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 regarding concerns about 7-OH.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if someone is unresponsive or needs urgent medical attention.”
The full alert can be found on the DSHS News & Alerts page.
