7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine) at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- Chemical name
- 7-hydroxymitragynine
- Source
- Minor alkaloid in kratom leaf; also made semi-synthetically from mitragynine
- Drug class
- Mu-opioid receptor agonist
- US legal status
- DEA notice of intent to temporarily place it in Schedule I (July 2026); three related synthetic compounds Schedule I since August 2026
- Forms
- Tablets, gummies, drink shots, chewables
- Potency
- Up to about 13 times morphine at the mu receptor in lab studies
- Reversal agent
- Naloxone
What is 7-OH?
Natural kratom leaf contains very little 7-OH. Concentrated products sold since about 2023 contain far higher amounts, often made by converting mitragynine, and act like strong opioids.[1]
In July 2025 the FDA recommended that the DEA schedule 7-OH, noting it binds to opioid receptors and may be up to 13 times more potent than morphine. The FDA had earlier issued warning letters to companies selling 7-OH tablets, gummies, and drink mixes.[1]
7-OH effects and how long they last
7-OH causes opioid effects: pain relief, euphoria, sedation, constricted pupils, nausea, itching, and constipation. Many users start with it to manage pain or opioid withdrawal, or after using kratom.[1]
7-OH side effects and risks
Dependence: daily use quickly leads to opioid dependence and withdrawal, often more severe than with kratom leaf.[1]
Overdose: slowed breathing is possible, especially at high doses or with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other opioids.
Unregulated products: doses vary widely and labels are often inaccurate; candy-like products appeal to children.
Warning: 7-OH is an opioid. Keep naloxone at hand, never mix it with alcohol or sedatives, and store products away from children.
7-OH interactions: what is dangerous to mix with it
Choose what it would be combined with:
| Combined with | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Stronger sedation and slowed breathing | Avoid |
| Benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, sleep medicines | Profound sedation and breathing problems | Dangerous |
| Other opioids or kratom | Stacked opioid effects | Dangerous |
| Buprenorphine or naltrexone | Sudden withdrawal | Use only under medical care |
This is not a full list. Combining substances raises the risk of harm, especially when the contents of street drugs are unknown.
7-OH overdose: signs and what to do
7-OH overdose looks like opioid overdose: extreme sleepiness, pinpoint pupils, and slow or stopped breathing. Naloxone is expected to reverse it.[1][2]
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, cannot be woken, has blue or gray lips, or is breathing slowly or not at all.
- Give naloxone (Narcan or a generic nasal spray, sold without a prescription) into one nostril. If there is no response after 2 to 3 minutes, give another dose.
- If you are trained, give rescue breaths. Otherwise place the person on their side so they do not choke.
- Stay with them. Naloxone can wear off before 7-OH does, so the overdose can return even after the person wakes up.
- Most states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who call 911 for an overdose from some drug charges.
7-OH withdrawal timeline: symptoms and how long it lasts
Regular 7-OH use causes opioid-type physical dependence. Withdrawal can be intense.[1]
- 12 to 24 hoursEarly symptomsAnxiety, restlessness, sweating, runny nose, yawning, and muscle aches.
- Days 2 to 4Peak withdrawalDiarrhea, cramps, vomiting, goosebumps, insomnia, and strong cravings.
- 1 to 2 weeksLingering symptomsLow mood, poor sleep, and cravings.
Warning: After a break, tolerance drops. Returning to a previous dose can cause overdose.
7-OH dependence is treated like other opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine and methadone are effective, and clinicians are increasingly experienced with kratom and 7-OH.
Is 7-OH legal in the US? Schedule and legal status
- DEA action: on July 1, 2026, the DEA announced it intends to temporarily place 7-OH above a set concentration, and three related synthetic compounds, in Schedule I. The three related compounds (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16) became Schedule I on August 26, 2026. Check the current status of 7-OH itself, which remained pending in early autumn 2026.[3]
- FDA: 7-OH is not approved as a drug or dietary supplement and cannot be lawfully added to food.[1]
- State law: many states have banned 7-OH products or set potency limits, including through kratom consumer protection laws.
Where can someone get help with 7-OH use?
7-OH dependence can be treated with buprenorphine or methadone, the same medicines used for other opioid use disorder.
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish. It gives referrals to local treatment and support.[4]
- FindTreatment.gov: a federal locator for state-licensed treatment programs, searchable by location, payment, and type of care.[5]
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for a mental health or substance use crisis.
- Your own clinician: a primary care doctor can screen, treat, and refer, and can discuss medicines that support recovery where they exist.
7-OH legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| Thailand | Kratom legal and regulated; concentrated extracts restricted |
| International | Not under UN control |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[6]
Common questions about 7-OH
Is 7-OH the same as kratom?
No. Kratom leaf contains only trace amounts of 7-OH. Concentrated 7-OH products are much stronger opioids.
Is 7-OH legal?
The DEA announced in July 2026 that it intends to place 7-OH in Schedule I; related synthetic compounds became Schedule I in August 2026. Many states already ban it.
Does naloxone work on 7-OH?
It is an opioid agonist, so naloxone is expected to reverse an overdose.
Is 7-OH addictive?
Yes. Daily use causes opioid dependence and withdrawal.
How is 7-OH addiction treated?
With the same medicines used for opioid use disorder, such as buprenorphine.
Sources
- HHS and FDA recommend scheduling of 7-OH. US Department of Health and Human Services, July 2025.
- Information about naloxone and nalmefene. US Food and Drug Administration.
- DEA to temporarily schedule 7-OH and related substances to protect public safety. US Drug Enforcement Administration, July 2026.
- National Helpline. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
