Expanded 2-paragraph summary at a 6th grade reading level:
This case report describes a man who was using kratom, an herbal supplement, and then had some serious side effects. The man was trying to quit using opioids and was given a medication called naltrexone to help with that. But the kratom he had been taking caused his liver enzymes to get really high. Then, when he got the naltrexone shot, he started having bad withdrawal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and muscle spasms. This happened because the naltrexone blocked the effects of the kratom, and his body went into withdrawal.
The main point is that kratom can cause liver problems and interact with other medications in a dangerous way. Doctors need to be really careful when giving people naltrexone or other opioid blocker medications if they think the patient has been using kratom. They may need to do some special tests first to make sure it’s safe.
This study was done in the real world, not in a lab. It looked at a single patient who was being
treated in a rehabilitation program. The study focused on humans, not animals.
Key takeaways:
- Kratom can cause liver inflammation (transaminitis)
- Kratom use can lead to opioid-like dependence
- Naltrexone can precipitate opioid withdrawal in kratom users
- Careful screening for kratom use is important before starting naltrexone
- Clinicians should consider naloxone or oral naltrexone challenge before long-acting injectable naltrexone in kratom users
For further reading:
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8185545/
Full Citation:
Jensen AN, Truong Q-N, Jameson M, Nadal CN. Kratom-induced transaminitis with subsequent precipitated opioid withdrawal following naltrexone. Ment Health Clin [Internet]. 2021;11(3):220-4. DOI: 10.9740/mhc.2021.05.220.
