The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday warned consumers not to ingest O.P.M.S. Black Liquid Kratom, a botanical extract that has been linked to one death and numerous adverse health effects.
Products containing kratom have been marketed as foods and dietary supplements and purport to have therapeutic benefits. The FDA warns against using any of these products because of the risk of liver toxicity, seizures and substance use disorder.
The FDA recently received a report of a person who died after using O.P.M.S. Black Liquid Kratom as well as reports of users experiencing withdrawal symptoms, addiction, digestive issues, restless leg syndrome, skin problems, aggression, anxiety and lack of energy or focus.
O.P.M.S. Black Liquid Kratom is sold online and in retail stores, including vape/smoke shops. The product label says it contains kratom alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. The FDA has not approved any prescription or over-the-counter drugs containing those compounds and has “serious safety concerns” about kratom products’ use as dietary supplements or food.
“Based on the available scientific data and information, the FDA has concluded that kratom is not lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement and cannot be lawfully added to conventional foods,” the warning states.
The FDA asks consumers who suspect that they have had ill effects from O.P.M.S. Black Liquid Kratom to call their state’s Consumer Complaint Coordinator or fill out a MedWatch voluntary reporting form.
For more information, visit the FDA’s webpage on kratom products.