Understanding Kratom and Its Derivatives: Clinical Implications and Emerging Research
Presenter: Katie Hill
This 45-minute didactic, followed by a 15-minute Q&A, will cover the origins and rise of kratom use in the United States, with an emphasis on its active alkaloids (including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine), mechanisms of action, and current patterns of use. Participants will review clinically relevant pharmacology and toxicology—including product variability, dose-related effects, adverse events, and common presentations in emergency, primary care, and addiction-treatment settings. The session will distinguish traditional kratom preparations from newer, kratom-derived products, focusing specifically on 7-OH mitragynine and pseudoindoxyl mitragynine: how these compounds are produced/marketed, why potency and risk profiles may differ, and what is known (and not yet known) about dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, and overdose risk. Finally, the talk will synthesize emerging preclinical and clinical research, highlight major evidence gaps, and provide an up-to-date overview of the evolving legal and regulatory landscape (federal, state, and product-specific enforcement trends) to support informed clinical counseling, documentation, and risk communication.
Learning objectives:
- Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the basic history, pharmacology, toxicology, and prevalence of kratom use in the United States.
- Apply at least two practical strategies to help mitigate personal risk in their own telehealth practice.
Audience:
Prescribing Clinicians and their teams
Continuing Medical Education:
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education and CCSME. The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education designates this regularly scheduled series for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
*Nurses and Nurse Practitioners will be awarded a certificate of participation with a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™.
This course has been approved by Co-Occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1 educational credits. NAADAC Provider #324712, CCSME is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Contact Hours 1 contact hours for social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and behavioral health professionals.
1 Category 1 Contact hours for psychologists. CCSME is a pre-approved sponsor and provider of Professional Education Activities for Psychologists.
1 contract hours CHES. CCSME is a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
