Poison Control • Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)
Verified U.S. poison-center (NPDS) data and key literature on kratom exposures, severity, and healthcare utilization.
Kratom Poison Control Data (U.S. Poison Centers, 2019–2024)
| Year | Total Cases (Case Mentions) |
Single-Substance | Pediatric < 20 yrs (≤5 + 6–12 + 13–19) |
Adults ≥ 20 | Intentional | Treated in HCF | Outcome: None | Minor | Moderate | Major | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,357 | 885 | 102 | 733 | 540 | 713 | 63 | 203 | 275 | 78 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1,262 | 794 | 103 | 637 | 513 | 614 | 59 | 175 | 259 | 66 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1,524 | 948 | 139 | 741 | 588 | 712 | 69 | 213 | 305 | 67 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1,278 | 794 | 107 | 586 | 497 | 586 | 66 | 167 | 248 | 55 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1,489 | 880 | 106 | 723 | 519 | 671 | 60 | 184 | 305 | 70 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1,645 | 1027 | 149 | 820 | 608 | 803 | 92 | 233 | 332 | 76 | 7 |
Sources: America’s Poison Centers® NPDS Annual Reports, Appendix B (Table 22A/22B) 2019–2023. Pediatric counts are combined (≤5 + 6–12 + 13–19). HCF = treated/managed in a Health Care Facility.
total case mentions: 8,555
Single-substance totals: 5,328
Serious outcomes remain common
2023 “New & Emerging” Findings for Kratom
- Severity: Among single-substance cases with known outcomes, 57.6% of kratom exposures produced a moderate/major/fatal effect (third-highest after tianeptine and phenibut).
- Hospitalization: 34.3% of kratom exposures resulted in hospital admission.
- Withdrawal: 4.76% of all kratom exposures were coded for withdrawal; of those seen in healthcare, 33.5% were admitted, and 13.5% of withdrawal calls originated from home.
- Bottom line: Despite unregulated retail availability, kratom shows high rates of clinically significant toxicity and frequent healthcare utilization—be prepared for both acute overdose and withdrawal management.
Extracted from the 2023 NPDS Annual Report “Emerging Trends” analysis of kratom, phenibut, tianeptine, and nitrous oxide.
Poison-Center & Toxicology Literature (PubMed)
- Kratom exposures reported to United States poison control centers (2011–2017). Epidemiologic analysis of 1,807 exposures; ~52% serious outcomes; 11 deaths. PubMed
- Kratom exposures among older adults reported to U.S. poison centers. 2014–2019 data; highlights higher adverse-reaction rates in ≥70. PubMed
- Characteristics of deaths associated with kratom use. Fatal case characteristics; polysubstance risk emphasized. PubMed
- A case of kratom overdose in a pediatric patient. 15-year-old with massive ingestion; serious cardiotoxicity noted. PMC
- Legally lethal kratom: a herbal supplement with overdose potential. Case report of severe toxicity requiring intubation. PubMed