Utah Ties 4 Deaths to Kratom-Derived Opioids

Utah health officials are sounding the alarm after four deaths were tied to powerful kratom-based compounds masquerading as harmless herbal supplements. The state says the semi-synthetic opioids—MGPI and MGM-15—have turned up in products marketed as "cat's claw," sometimes under brand names like "Buzzers," and falsely labeled as kratom-free yet promising strong psychoactive effects, NBC News reports.

Both compounds are now Schedule I drugs under a temporary federal designation and are illegal in Utah. Only pure, natural leaf kratom is legal in the state, KSL reports. Cat's claw itself is generally considered safe, but these products contained "dangerous opioids derived from kratom," said Dr. Michael Moss, the medical director of the Utah Poison Control Center. "No one should take these products, retailers should not sell them, and healthcare providers should be aware of potential for addiction, withdrawal, and overdose related to their use," Moss said.

Similar warnings have surfaced in Tennessee and Virginia as regulators nationwide scrutinize kratom and its derivatives, which are banned or restricted in multiple states and not approved by the FDA, NBC reports. Two vape shop clerks in Mississippi were recently arrested after the deaths of two University of Mississippi students found with suspected kratom products.