LACOMBE, La. — The St. Tammany Parish Coroner cautioned Northshore residents on Wednesday about an over-the-counter supplement following toxicology reports for a 36-year-old woman who died due to an excessive dose.
According to Dr. Christopher Tape, the woman ingested a fatal dose of Kratom due to polydrug toxicity.
“In low doses, Kratom causes enhanced energy,” Tape said. “In moderate doses, it causes sedation. In large doses, it can cause death, particularly when combined with other substances or when the user has other health conditions.”
Tape explained that Kratom is an herb derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia and has been heavily marketed in the United States in recent years.
The coroner said Kratom is available in pill form in many gas stations and convenience stores in the area.
“Although I don’t recommend using this plant derivative at all, it is intended for low-dose use in tea,” Tape said. “Higher doses and frequent use can lead to hallucinations, delusions, loss of appetite, and a myriad of other harmful symptoms and conditions. And, in worst cases, it is fatal.
“Does this product have some potential health uses? Probably, yes, but it is not regulated by the FDA or other authorities, so there are no standards to ensure its safety," he continued. "Kratom is still legal in Louisiana, but I implore potential users to consider the risks and pass on Kratom,” Tape said.
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