Dubuque County Public Health officials are urging residents to understand the potentially serious health risks associated with kratom, particularly concentrated products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine. This comes amid an increase in kratom-associated deaths and poison control calls reported by Iowa officials. A news release states that Kratom is commonly sold as a powder, capsule, gummy, tablet, beverage, or energy shot. Marketed for purposes such as pain relief, energy, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal, kratom is often promoted as a natural or herbal product. The release states the newer, concentrated and synthetic forms of kratom are similar in effect to very highpotency opioids. This includes increasing the risk of death by reducing breathing and heart rate. This substance is also addictive, and the body becomes dependent on it. Additionally, there is little oversight or regulation of kratom currently, as it is marketed as a natural substance. According to Iowa Health and Human Services, 45 kratom-associated deaths have been confirmed in Iowa since 2024 across 23 counties, including 16 deaths during the first seven months of 2026.
