How do you counsel patients who are interested in using kratom for chronic pain management?  

I am not a pain management expert, but would recommend against use for chronic pain management. Risks outweigh in a significant order. It's not FDA-approved for any form of pain treatment. There is no dosage reference to use. The pain control one gets may be too low compared to the addictive risks,...

I agree with the answer. Kratom has an abuse potential, and withdrawal symptoms are severe. It is not an FDA-approved medication.

The problem with Kratom/Mitragynine (a plant native to Southeast Asia) is similar to the major problem with THC products in the US: potency. 7-OH-Mitragynine is the psychoactive substance in Mitragynine mostly responsible for the euphoric and analgesic effects. It constitutes roughly 1% of the over...

I now have about five or six patients who were severely dependent on Kratom and 7-OH. They are now stable on Suboxone. Kratom and its concentrated form, called 7-OH, are huge problems. You can buy 7-OH at gas stations. I have patients who were spending $100/day on 7-OH. It’s unbelievable!