Utah officials renew warning after four deaths linked to mislabeled ‘cat’s claw’ products

ABC4 reports state health officials have tied four Utah deaths to potent kratom-derived compounds found in products marketed as cat’s claw

PARK CITY, Utah — Utah health officials are renewing warnings about illegal products marketed as “cat’s claw” after four deaths across the state were linked to powerful kratom-derived compounds.

ABC4 reported Monday that state health, poison control, and agriculture officials had issued an urgent public health warning over products containing high-potency chemicals that act on the body similarly to opioids.

The warning builds on concerns raised earlier this summer and locally at the beginning of the school year, when Ecker Hill Middle School nurse Jessica Walters alerted families to products including Buzzers and Homiez following warnings from the Utah Poison Control Center.

According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, the four deaths were linked to mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, or MGPI, and dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine, known as MGM-15. State testing has found the semi-synthetic kratom compounds in products sold online and at some smoke shops and gas stations.

Some of the products are marketed as “cat’s claw,” a botanical supplement also known as Uncaria tomentosa. State officials said natural cat’s claw itself is not the concern. Rather, laboratory testing found products labeled as cat’s claw containing MGPI and MGM-15, compounds not disclosed on the labels.

Utah regulators first issued a warning in July after a death and several serious health incidents were associated with Buzzers-brand Cat’s Claw tablets. Testing found MGPI and MGM-15 in those products. The Utah Poison Control Center’s earlier alert also identified Buzzers and Homiez among products of concern, although the state’s published laboratory findings specifically identified tested Buzzers products.

The compounds can cause dependence, severe withdrawal, overdose, and death, according to state health officials. They are now Schedule I controlled substances under federal law. Utah law allows the sale of pure, natural leaf kratom but prohibits kratom extracts and semi-synthetic kratom compounds.

Utah Poison Control is advising people not to use products labeled as “cat’s claw” that are marked “adults only” or “21+,” or products marketed as legal while promising psychoactive effects.

Because the compounds act on opioid receptors, officials said naloxone, commonly sold under the brand name Narcan, can reverse an overdose. Anyone who is unresponsive, difficult to wake, or not breathing normally should receive naloxone if available, and 911 should be called immediately.

For questions about exposure, withdrawal, or other health effects, contact the Utah Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. The service is available 24 hours a day.