International Journal of Drug Policy
Volume 21, Issue 4 , Pages 283-288 , July 2010

The informal use of ketum (Mitragyna speciosa) for opioid withdrawal in the northern states of peninsular Malaysia and implications for drug substitution therapy

  • Balasingam Vicknasingam

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +60 4 653 2140; fax: +60 4 656869.
    • ,
  • Suresh Narayanan

      Affiliations

    • School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia
    • ,
  • Goh Teik Beng

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia
    • ,
  • Sharif Mahsufi Mansor

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia

Received 7 September 2009 ,Revised 9 December 2009 ,Accepted 15 December 2009.

References 

  1. Assanangkornchai S, Muekthong A, Samangsri N, Pattanasattayawong U. The use of Mitragyna speciosa (“Krathom”), an addictive plant, in Thailand. Substance Use and Misuse. 2006;42:2145–2157
  2. Babu KM, McCurdy CR, Boyer EW. Opioid receptors and legal highs: Salvia divinorum and Kratom. Clincal Toxicology. 2008;46:146–152
  3. Boyer EW, Babu KM, Adkins JE, McCurdy CR, Halpern JH. Self-treatment of opioid withdrawal using kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth). Addiction. 2008;103:1048–1050
  4. Boyer EW, Babu KM, Macalino GE, Compton W. Self-treatment of opioid withdrawal with dietary supplement, Kratom. The American Journal on Addiction. 2007;16:352–356
  5. Chee JW, Amirul AA, Majid MIA, Mansor SM. Factors influencing the release of Mitragyna speciosa crude extracts from biodegradable P (3HB-co-4HB). International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2008;361:1–6
  6. Chee JW, Amirul AA, Tengku Muhammad TS, Majid MIA, Mansor SM. The influence of copolymer ratio and drug loading level on the biocompatibility of P (3HB-co-4HB) synthesized by Cupriavidus sp. (USMAA2-4). Biochemical Engineering Journal. 2008;38:314–318
  7. Grewal K. Observation on the pharmacology of mitragynine. J. Pharmacology Experimental Therapeutics. 1932;46:251–271
  8. Jansen KLR, Prast CJ. Psychoactive properties of mitragynine (kratom). Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 1988;20:455–457
  9. Matsumoto K, Horie S, Ishikawa H, Takayama H, Aimi N, Ponglux D, et al. Antinociceptive effect of 7-hydroymitragynine in mice: Discovery of an orally active opioid analgesic from the Thai medicinal herb Mitragyna speciosa. Life Sciences. 2004;74:2143–2155
  10. NADA . National Drug Information System. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: National Anti-Narcotics Agency, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs; 2007, January;
  11. Reanmongkol W, Keawpradub N, Sawangjaroen K. Effects of the extracts from Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaves on analgesic and behavioral activities in experimental animals. Journal of Science and Technology. 2007;29:39–48
  12. Suwanlert S. A study of kratom eaters in Thailand. Bulletin on Narcotics. 1975;27:21–27
  13. Thuan LC. Addiction to Mitragyna speciosa. Proceedings of the Alumni Association Malaya. 1957;10:322–324

PII: S0955-3959(09)00164-9

doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.12.003

International Journal of Drug Policy
Volume 21, Issue 4 , Pages 283-288 , July 2010

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