The Unregulated Opioid: Neurologic and Electrolyte Imbalance From Long-Term Kratom Use
Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, is a Southeast Asian herb gaining popularity as an alternative to opioids for chronic pain and opioid withdrawal treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies it as a “new dietary ingredient” with the potential to damage the kidneys, liver,...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American College of Physicians
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases |
| Online Access: | https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.0805 |
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| Summary: | Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, is a Southeast Asian herb gaining popularity as an alternative to opioids for chronic pain and opioid withdrawal treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies it as a “new dietary ingredient” with the potential to damage the kidneys, liver, and heart. Despite this, kratom is widely available in drug stores and online. We present a case of a patient with long-term daily use of kratom who exhibited altered mental status and focal neurologic deficits with hyponatremia 1 week after abruptly discontinuing kratom use. This case underscores the necessity of obtaining a comprehensive history of all regularly consumed medications and supplements, whether prescribed or otherwise. |
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| ISSN: | 2767-7664 |