FDA pushes for ban of potent Kratom derivative 7-OH amid safety concerns

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Food and Drug Administration is sounding the alarm on Seven Hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH.

FDA Officials are urging that 7-OH should be classified as a controlled substance. Experts say you get 7-OH after synthesizing the natural plant Kratom.

When the natural plant is altered, consumers can experience opioid effects from Kratom.

But the FDA wants to make it clear: they're going after the synthesized version of the natural plant.

"Our focus is not on Kratom, our focus is on 7-OH. Which, according to the Journal of Medical Chemistry, is 13 times more potent than morphine," FDA commissioner Marty Makary said.

Flindt Andersen at Parents and Addicts In Need (PAIN) says this is a huge win for keeping dangerous opioids off the street.

"The more you take, the stronger it becomes. I think people need to be aware that if you're an opioid user or addict, per se, you're going to continue to buy stuff like this, especially if you can't get the drug that you normally need," Andersen said.

Mac Haddow with the American Kratom Association understands the need for listing 7-OH under the Controlled Substances Act.

He says altering Kratom can become dangerous.

"The synthetic products have zero science to justify the safety under the conditions of use or how much they actually put on their labels that you can consume," Haddow said.

Haddow believes it's important that this ban is put into effect not just for consumers, but also for youth.

"The marketing of those kinds of products that put kids at risk because there's no question that that's who they're targeting with that ice cream confectionery product, with a very high level of 7-OH, synthetic 7-OH," he said.

The FDA says they're reviewing this recommendation and have already issued a letter to health care professionals about the risks associated with it.

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