If you are asking what to do about possible kratom poisoning, call 911 now for severe symptoms or an unresponsive person. For a possible exposure that is not immediately life-threatening, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate, case-specific guidance.
US help now
- Call 911: trouble breathing, a seizure, collapse, or an unresponsive person.
- Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 for possible kratom poisoning or a concerning reaction.
- Stay with the person if it is safe to do so, and follow the emergency dispatcher’s or poison specialist’s instructions.
What is kratom poisoning?
“Kratom poisoning” is a common search term for a harmful reaction after exposure to kratom or a product sold as kratom. NIDA’s kratom overview says products can vary in strength, formulation, other substances in a person’s system, and contaminants, so a reaction can be difficult to predict.
Kratom refers to Mitragyna speciosa and products derived from its leaves. The FDA’s kratom guidance says serious adverse events reported with kratom include liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder.
What can kratom poisoning feel or look like?
A concerning reaction can look different from person to person. NIDA reports mild effects including nausea, constipation, dizziness, and drowsiness. It also describes case reports involving confusion, tremors, seizures, high blood pressure, slow breathing, nausea and vomiting, and liver problems.
| What you may notice | What to do |
|---|---|
| Trouble breathing, seizure, collapse, or inability to wake the person | Call 911 immediately. |
| Confusion, tremors, vomiting, dizziness, unusual drowsiness, or another concerning change | Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance based on the situation. |
Do not try to sort out the cause on your own. NIDA says effects may be influenced by the product’s formulation, potency, other drugs, underlying health conditions, and prior experience with the substance.
Who should I call about possible poisoning?
Call 911 when there is trouble breathing, a seizure, collapse, or an unresponsive person. For another possible kratom exposure or reaction, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. A poison specialist can help you decide the appropriate next step for the person in front of you.
What should I have ready when I call?
Keep the product container or label nearby if you can do so safely. Tell the dispatcher or poison specialist what happened and follow the questions they ask; that helps them give guidance matched to the person and product involved.
Can Poison Control help a family member?
Yes. You can call Poison Control about a family member or another person with a possible exposure. If the person has severe symptoms, call 911 instead of waiting for further information.
Why can a reaction be hard to predict?
NIDA says kratom products vary and that contaminants have been found in some products. The FDA also reports that certain kratom products have been associated with Salmonella or concerning levels of heavy metals. That is one reason the product name alone cannot explain every reaction.
If the immediate concern has passed, Lab-Tested Kratom and Kratom Quality Matters are useful starting points for future label questions.
What the research cannot tell us
The available information cannot tell you from a symptom list alone whether kratom, another substance, a contaminant, or a medical condition is causing a specific person’s reaction. The FDA says much remains unknown scientifically about kratom, and NIDA says research is still developing on its short- and long-term health effects and drug interactions.
A CDC analysis of overdose deaths from 27 states found that multiple substances were detected in almost all kratom-positive deaths it reviewed. That finding describes those reported deaths; it cannot determine the cause of an individual emergency. Read the CDC report for its methods and findings.
What is the right next step?
If this is happening now, use the help panel above: 911 for severe symptoms and Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for a possible exposure. If you are concerned about a past reaction or ongoing symptoms, contact a clinician and bring the product label or package with you.
By UltimateKratom.com Research Desk
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