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Case Reports
. 2018 Feb;19(1):61-63.
doi: 10.1177/1751143717712652. Epub 2017 Jun 13.

Death from Kratom toxicity and the possible role of intralipid

Geeta Aggarwal  1 , Edward Robertson  1 , James McKinlay  1 , Edward Walter  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Death from Kratom toxicity and the possible role of intralipid

Geeta Aggarwal et al. J Intensive Care Soc. 2018 Feb.

Abstract

We present the case of a 26-year-old man who was brought into our emergency department in cardiorespiratory arrest, having taken Kratom 24 h previously. Despite multi-organ support, he deteriorated and died from cardiorespiratory failure and hypoxic brain damage 12 h later. Lipid emulsion was given, with significant temporary improvement in the cardiorespiratory failure. Kratom is derived from Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical deciduous and evergreen tree in the coffee family, and is native to Southeast Asia, and its leaves are used as a legal high in some parts of the world. Here, we review the pharmacochemistry of the drug, and wish to highlight that the effects of Kratom may not be as benign as are commonly reported, and the possible role of intralipid in managing the Kratom toxicity in this case.

Keywords: Mitragyna; brain; hypoxia; lipid emulsion; toxicity.

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