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Gottlieb Warns Public Away from Kratom (FDA)

— 'Deadly risks' from herbal product with narcotic properties

MedpageToday

The FDA issued a public health advisory on Tuesday , an herb with narcotic properties that has become popular as a natural remedy for a variety of conditions.

"There's clear data on the increasing harms associated with kratom. Calls to U.S. poison control centers regarding kratom have increased 10-fold from 2010 to 2015, with hundreds of calls made each year. The FDA is aware of reports of 36 deaths associated with the use of kratom-containing products," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, in a statement.

He also warned sellers of kratom products that the agency can take action against them if they promote kratom as a medical treatment without formal agency approval.