FDA declares kratom an opioid as scheduling remains in limbo

Published February 7, 2018 1:03am ET



The Food and Drug Administration has released an agency analysis that could put additional pressure on drug enforcement agencies to effectively ban an herbal supplement taken by people who suffer from pain, depression, and addiction.

The product in question is a Southeast Asian tree leaf known as kratom, which is currently legal under federal law. The FDA’s latest analysis, released Tuesday, included details about deaths associated with kratom and a conclusion by the agency that kratom contains some of the same components as opioids, which have caused tens of thousands of U.S. deaths annually.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.