Panhandle Health District Urges Avoidance of Kratom After Local Deaths

The Panhandle Health District on Monday issued a districtwide advisory urging residents to avoid all kratom products after identifying "a pattern of serious health events and several deaths" in Northern Idaho, Panhandle Health District Medical Director Gregory Pennock, MD, said. Pennock added the district wants to increase awareness "for individuals, parents, educators, healthcare workers, government officials and retailers."

Pennock singled out the alkaloid 7-OH as a particular concern, saying in the release, "Kratom, and in particular 7-OH, appears to be a growing problem in Northern Idaho and the rest of the nation." The health district noted concentrated kratom preparations produced by extraction and distillation can contain unsafe levels of active alkaloids and "may cause seizures, addiction, liver and kidney toxicity."

The advisory lists mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, often called 7-OH, as the most active alkaloids in kratom. Panhandle Health District materials describe typical overdose signs as nausea, vomiting, agitation and restlessness, and say that "there have been cases of psychosis resulting from kratom use" while referencing Drug Enforcement Administration concerns that kratom consumption can lead to addiction.

Kratom products are sold over the counter in forms including liquids, powders and pills and are commonly available at gas stations and convenience stores, the health district release says. Street names reported in local coverage include "Thang, Kakuam, Ketum, Krathom, Madat, Mambog, Thom, Krypton, Herbal Speedball and Gas Station Heroin," and the release emphasized that kratom products are currently unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration and vary widely in potency and content.

Local policy responses are already in motion. A Bonner County official identified as Sauter told reporters a constituent raised concerns in December and that the constituent later "passed away," prompting Sauter to pursue regulation. Sauter said, "If we can get it in place by July 1, then we can start seeing if it makes a difference or not," and noted current sales-age restrictions are 18 and older with consideration of raising that to 21 and older. KXLY coverage noted the PHD advisory came as the Spokane City Council considers an ordinance to ban kratom sales in that city.

Some residents dispute the advisory's fairness. KREM reported that Gina Rogers said she has used kratom for 10 years to help her focus after an ADD diagnosis and that she sees a difference between natural kratom and synthetic varieties, a perspective echoed by other local users in media accounts.

The Panhandle Health District recommended specific actions, stating "Avoiding all kratom products, especially those containing 7-OH," "Seeking medical advice for side effects, addiction or withdrawal symptoms," and "Reporting adverse reactions of kratom or 7-OH products to the FDA’s MedWatch program and to the Panhandle Health District (208-415-5235)." County and state officials say investigations and potential regulatory steps are ongoing as public-health and coroner communications continue to be reviewed.