Opioid-Like Kratom Gets FDA Scrutiny as False Ads, Abuse Mount

Companies that sell a psychotropic substance called kratom are getting more federal scrutiny thanks to increasing reports of death, abuse, and false advertising.

The Food and Drug Administration announced Sept. 11 it sent warnings to two companies that sell kratom and claim it treats opioid use disorder. The false advertising is dangerous and can lead to overdoses due to patients not seeking the correct treatment, the FDA said. Kratom can also have similar effects to opioids. Because it’s easily ordered over the internet, cases of abuse are popping up nationwide.

“Epidemics don’t occur overnight,” Scott Gottlieb, head of the agency, ...