California Poison Control warns that kratom derivatives are turning up in products sold as kava and "cat's claw"

The California Poison Control System warned in a July 2026 press release that lab testing found kratom-derived compounds hidden in products sold as kava and cat's claw.

CPCS, a poison center and not a regulator, is warning consumers about increasingly potent synthetic kratom products, including compounds found in products marketed as kava and cat's claw, that have been linked to overdoses, addiction, and a recent death under investigation [1]. The products identified so far are from the Buzzers and Homiez brands, though CPCS says there may be others [1]. The release points to Utah, where investigations are ongoing into a recent death and several severe health incidents associated with Buzzers Cat's Claw tablets, which were found to contain illegal kratom alkaloids [1].

Lab testing cited in the warning found that certain products marketed as kava and cat's claw were adulterated with kratom alkaloids: 7-OH, MGM-15, and MGM-16 [1]. None of the three appeared on the product labels, and in some cases the labels claimed the products contained no kratom or 7-OH [1]. CPCS says these misleading labels can lead to life-threatening opioid overdose, dependence, or withdrawal [1]. The warning describes synthetic 7-OH and its lab-modified relatives MGM-15 and MGM-16 as far more potent than botanical kratom, and more dangerous and addictive [1], and states that concentrated 7-OH is significantly different in composition from regular kratom and ten times more potent than morphine [1]. CPCS says neither kratom nor its derivatives are FDA-approved, and that synthetic compounds like 7-OH carry a much greater risk of addiction, overdose, and other serious health consequences [1].

CPCS says calls to the center about kratom have mirrored national trends: from 2 in 2015 to 233 in 2025, a number already exceeded by July 2026 [1].

CPCS says a kratom overdose can be a life-threatening emergency: call 911 or go to an emergency department [1].. Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse opioid-type toxicity [1]. CPCS says kratom withdrawal can mirror opioid withdrawal and can bring both physical and psychological symptoms, typically starting 12 to 24 hours after last use and persisting for weeks [1]: muscle aches and spasms, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, sweating and fever [1], along with anxiety, irritability, craving, and insomnia [1]. Buprenorphine has shown promise in clinical settings for managing withdrawal and kratom use disorder [1].

Also reported: KERO 23ABC Bakersfield, California Poison Control warns of dangerous synthetic kratom products tied to death probe.

References

1. California Poison Control Issues Warning as Dangerous Kratom Derivatives Appear in Popular Herbal Products (press release) — California Poison Control System (UCSF School of Pharmacy)