Texas health department issues health alert for 'opioid-like chemical' found in kratom

[ad_1]

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued a health alert on Tuesday, warning people not to use products that contain a chemical found in the kratom plant.

The alert stated that at high concentrations, the opioid-like chemical 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) can cause “significant health problems” and may have the potential for dependence or abuse.

According to DSHS, 7-OH is found in low levels in the kratom plant, but concentrated forms of the chemical have been “popping up for sale as a liquid extract, as a powder, and in gummies.”

The DSHS alert said that as of Aug. 27, the Texas Poison Center Network had received 192 reports of exposures involving kratom or another product containing 7-OH so far in 2025. The network received 107 such reports for all of 2024, and 122 for all of 2023.

Nineteen of the 2025 reports were for “exposures to a concentrated 7-OH product,” according to DSHS. Most of those calls came in July and August. Of those 19, 11 had serious enough health issues to be treated at a healthcare facility.

DSHS spokesperson Chris Van Deusen said people can be exposed to harmful levels of 7-OH through kratom itself or through products with higher concentration levels of the chemical, which are typically branded “7-Hydro” or “7-OH.”

“But whether it’s through kratom or through a concentrated form — which we’re really seeing now crop up on the market — those calls have increased, and we just wanted to let people know that there is a danger out there,” Van Deusen said.

Van Deusen said products containing the chemical are often marketed as pain relievers, anxiety reducers, sleep aids, or even opioid withdrawal relief. But, he emphasized that kratom and 7-OH products are not approved for any medical use, and DSHS recommends avoiding those products entirely.

“I really want to stress that it’s not approved for any medicinal use, and so there’s not been an evaluation,” he said. “The FDA hasn’t looked at it and decided this is a safe product, or it’s actually effective to do anything.”

DSHS said anyone who has health concerns after using 7-OH products is urged to contact their healthcare provider or the Texas Poison Center Network at 1-800-222-1222.

Van Deusen also said that Naloxone, or Narcan, can be used on people experiencing the effects of opioid-like substance overdoses.

Background

The Texas DSHS alert comes just over a month after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced steps to restrict 7-OH products and recommended a scheduling action to control the chemical under the Controlled Substances Act.

During the previous legislative session in 2023, Texas lawmakers passed the Texas Kratom Consumer Health and Safety Protection Act, which regulates the sale of kratom and aims to protect consumers from unsafe products.

Another bill was introduced during the 2025 regular legislative session that would have added hydroxymitragynine, along with several other opiates and opiate-like chemicals, to the Texas Controlled Substances Act. The bill ultimately died in the House committee, however.

DSHS recommendations

Texas DSHS recommended that people:

• 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 department also listed recommendations for clinicians and healthcare providers:

• Provide general emergency and critical care medical support as warranted.
• Administer naloxone for reversal of respiratory depression.
• Observe and manage symptoms of opioid use disorder following use of kratom or 7-OH products. 
• Contact the Texas Poison Center Network at 1-800-222-1222 for any questions about medical management.

Symptoms

According to Texas DSHS, symptoms reported after 7-OH use include but are not limited to:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Agitation
• Confusion
• Sweating
• Rapid heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Trouble breathing
• Sleepiness or loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Respiratory depression

Those with questions about adverse reactions or medical management related to the use of kratom or 7-OH products can contact the Texas Poison Center Network at 1-800-222-1222.
For reporting adverse events from 7-OH products, contact MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form or call 1-800-332-1088.

[ad_2]

Source link