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Washington warns consumers after kratom-tainted “cat’s claw” overdose
A Washington resident was revived with naloxone after taking a product sold as cat’s claw, and Utah authorities have linked counterfeit versions to four deaths. State poison officials say some products contain potent kratom-derived compounds that may not be disclosed on the label.
Washington health officials are warning consumers about counterfeit supplements sold as cat’s claw after one state resident overdosed and four people in Utah died in cases involving the product.
The Washington Poison Center said the Washington resident overdosed within the two weeks before the warning was issued Oct. 14, 2026, and was revived with naloxone. The center’s chief clinical officer, Jimmy Leonard, said additional cases may have gone unreported.
Authentic cat’s claw is an herbal supplement made from plants in the Uncaria genus. But investigations have found products bearing that name that contain undisclosed kratom-derived substances, including 7-hydroxymitragynine, MGM-15 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. The compounds can have potent opioid effects, according to the Poison Center.
The risk can be especially serious for people who believe they are taking an ordinary herbal supplement and have no opioid tolerance. Leonard warned that an unexpected exposure could suppress breathing and be fatal.
The center said suspected counterfeit products have been found at vape shops, gas stations, convenience stores and online. Utah’s poison control center reported earlier in October that four deaths involved counterfeit cat’s claw.
Leonard suggested the products could be a way to market synthetic kratom compounds despite restrictions on kratom sales. Several Washington cities have banned kratom sales, he said. Some chemicals found in synthetic kratom are Schedule I controlled substances; Leonard said possessing, distributing or selling those substances can be a felony.
Seattle naturopathic doctor Ciera Gaddis advised consumers to buy supplements from pharmacies and look for independent quality certifications. At Katterman’s Pharmacy in Laurelhurst, she pointed to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) mark as an indication that a product has been assessed for factors such as purity, concentration and contaminants.
The warning underscores a challenge for consumers: products marketed as natural supplements may contain undisclosed ingredients with serious health risks. The Poison Center says authentic cat’s claw is not psychoactive and does not cause opioid overdose or withdrawal symptoms.