Utah Health Officials Warn of Fatal Overdoses Linked to Illegal Kratom, 'Cat's Claw' Products
Officials said the illegal chemicals act as opioids and can cause addiction, overdose and death, while naloxone can treat overdoses.
- On Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, The Utah Department issued an urgent public health warning following four fatal overdoses linked to high-potency, illegal chemical compounds found in supplements mislabeled as 'Cat's Claw' or kratom.
- Officials identified dangerous semi-synthetic kratom derivatives, MGPI and MGM-15, in products often sold as 'Buzzers.' While natural Cat's Claw is harmless, these illegal compounds act as powerful opioids, carrying severe risks of addiction, withdrawal, and death.
- The Drug Enforcement Administration classified MGPI and MGM-15 as Schedule 1 controlled substances. Despite being illegal in Utah, officials report these potent products remain available in some local smoke shops and gas stations.
- Similar deaths reported in other states include Mississippi college students Aidan Hamilton and Robert Strang last month. Federal prosecutors noted both fatalities appear consistent with drug overdoses, with packaged kratom found at the scenes.
- Avoid products labeled 'adults only/21+,' the Utah Poison Control Center advises. Because these chemicals act on opioid receptors, the overdose-reversal medication Narcan remains effective for treating potential overdoses from these dangerous compounds.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Utah Ties 4 Deaths to Kratom-Derived Opioids
Utah health official are sounding the alarm after four deaths were held to powerful kratom-based compounds masking as harmless herbal supplements. The state says the semi-synthetic opioids—MGPI and MGM-15—have turned up in products marketed as "cat's claw," sometimes under brand names like "Buzzers," and falsely labeled as kratom-free...
Utah health officials issue ‘urgent’ warning about kratom, ‘cat’s claw’ products after overdoses
The Utah health officials are warning against substances marketed as herbal products that produce psychoactive “highs,” saying they may contain dangerous semi-synthetic kratom chemicals. The warning comes after four Utahns died of overdoses linked to “high-potency, illegal chemical compounds” found…
Utah health officials warn of fatal overdoses linked to illegal Kratom, 'Cat's Claw' products
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah health, poison control, and agriculture officials issued an urgent public health warning following four fatal overdoses across the state linked to high-potency, illegal chemical compounds hidden inside certain herbal supplements and kratom products.
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