Kratom (Photo – tmc.edu)
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning residents and health care providers about the dangers of 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a synthetic compound derived from kratom, following the recent overdose deaths of three otherwise healthy adults aged 18 to 40. All three fatalities involved alcohol, with no other substances identified as significantly contributing to their deaths.
By News Desk
Kratom is a substance extracted from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. It has gained popularity in the U.S. for its purported ability to relieve pain, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of opioid withdrawal. However, health officials are raising alarms about synthetic 7-OH, a highly concentrated and potent psychoactive derivative of kratom, increasingly sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online—often marketed as dietary supplements.
Unregulated products
These unregulated products are frequently sold in forms such as gummies, tablets, drink mixes, and liquid shots, and are often labeled with vague terms like “plant alkaloids” or simply “alkaloid.” According to health authorities, low doses of 7-OH may act as a stimulant, but higher doses—particularly when combined with alcohol or other sedatives—can mimic opioids, causing severe respiratory depression and death.
“Consumers who use 7-OH products are exposing themselves to products that have not been proven safe or effective for any use,” stated the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which issued warning letters in July 2025 to several companies marketing concentrated 7-OH products illegally. The FDA emphasized that 7-OH is not lawful in dietary supplements or conventional foods, and that no FDA-approved medications contain the substance.
Avoid all kratom and 7-OH products.
In response to the growing threat, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is advising residents to avoid all kratom and 7-OH products. For those who continue to use substances, the department urges the following safety measures to reduce the risk of fatal overdose:
- Never use alone: Having someone present increases the chance of administering life-saving interventions like naloxone.
- Stagger drug use in groups: Ensure at least one person can respond in case of overdose.
- Avoid mixing drugs: Combining 7-OH with alcohol or other substances greatly increases the risk of overdose.
- Carry naloxone: This opioid-reversal medication can restore breathing and save lives in cases of 7-OH overdose.
Additional Resources
- Overdose Prevention Information: publichealth.lacounty.gov/sapc/public/overdose-prevention.htm
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