Missouri health officials warn against using ‘7-OH’ products

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is warning the public against using products containing 7-OH, pronounced "seven-hydroxy."

The health department issued an advisory Friday saying 7-OH is a natural psychoactive drug that is found in kratom. Kratom and 7-OH are both marketed as ways to promote alertness, relieve pain and anxiety and opioid withdrawal, the advisory says.

The department warns that 7-OH products found in Missouri have higher concentrations than natural kratom and that the substance is more potent than morphine on human opioid receptors. The FDA started steps to restrict 7-OH in July.

Like kratom, 7-OH is not regulated by the state.

Signs of overdose include nausea, vomiting, confusion, agitation, trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure and seizures.