Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Kratom is the pulverized dried leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree and has a bitter taste and high ingestion volume that repels children. Newer products use a single alkaloid extract from the leaves, mitragynine, or oxidize mitragynine to 7-hydroxymitragynine and place it in various oral dosage forms. We identified oral dosage form products containing mitragynine and/or 7-hydroxymitragynine that are marketed in ways that appeal to children and define their alluring characteristics. METHODS: We performed Google searches to identify websites selling kratom products. Products were assessed and included if they had 1 or more features that would be attractive to children and defined their formulations, alkaloids, flavoring/scents, mascots, and packaging. RESULTS: Eighty unique products that appealed to children were found, and 36.3% were gummies, 28.8% were tablets, 18.8% were drink mixes or liquids, 15.0% were miscellaneous candies (saltwater taffies, ice cream cones, noobs, popping crystals, honey sticks, mints, lollipops), and 1.3% were chocolates. Thirty-eight products (47.5%) contained mitragynine, 35 products (43.8%) contained 7-hydroxymitragynine, 6 products (7.5%) contained both, and 1 product (1.3%) did not specify which alkaloid was included. Twenty-six products (32.5%) had a cartoon mascot or symbol. Sixty-six products (82.5%) had brightly colored packaging, 59 products (73.8%) had brightly colored formulations, and 73 formulations (91.3%) had a flavor or scent. CONCLUSIONS: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are present in many products that could cause small children and teens to be exposed.