Utah health officials have issued an urgent warning to residents about substances marketed as herbal products that produce psychoactive "highs," stating that these products may contain dangerous semi-synthetic kratom chemicals. The warning comes after four Utahns died of overdoses linked to "high-potency, illegal chemical compounds" found in these substances, according to a news release from Utah's Department of Health, Poison Control Center, and Department of Agriculture and Food. No additional details about the individuals or circumstances of these deaths were released by the agencies.
This recent alert follows a similar warning issued in July by the state agencies. That prior caution was prompted by one death and multiple severe health incidents involving products marketed as "cat’s claw" tablets, which were later found to contain kratom alkaloids. The current warning emphasizes the continued presence and danger of these adulterated products in the market.
The substances are often sold online, in smoke shops, and convenience stores, sometimes under brand names such as “Buzzers.” According to the agencies, these products purport to contain “cat’s claw” or Uncaria tomentosa. While natural cat's claw is not harmful, testing conducted by the Department of Agriculture identified specific semi-synthetic kratom alkaloids in the tablets. These include mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI) and dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine (MGM-15).
In August, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classified both mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI) and dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine (MGM-15) as Schedule I controlled substances, highlighting their high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use. While pure leaf kratom remains legal in Utah, state lawmakers this year banned adulterated kratom products that contain extracts or semi-synthetic chemicals designed to increase potency. This ban took effect recently, aiming to remove such dangerous products from shelves.
Despite the ban, the agencies report that synthetic kratom alkaloids, which are illegal in Utah, can still be found for sale. The Department of Health, Poison Control Center, and Department of Agriculture and Food warned that these substances "carry severe risks of addiction, dangerous withdrawal symptoms, overdose, and death." Residents are urged to be aware of these dangers.
Because these substances affect the body's opioid receptors, naloxone, an overdose reversal medication, can be used effectively in response to an overdose, the agencies advised. For individuals experiencing addiction, medical treatments available for opioid dependence and withdrawal are also effective. Anyone experiencing withdrawal symptoms from these substances is strongly advised to seek immediate medical attention.
Community members who encounter kratom extracts or any semi-synthetic kratom products being sold in Utah are asked to report these sales. Reports can be made to the Department of Agriculture and Food by emailing [email protected].
