The perioperative environment is increasingly shaped by factors that extend beyond traditional pharmacology, requiring anesthesia providers to stay alert to emerging and often underrecognized influences on patient care. One such factor is the growing use of kratom, a plant-derived substance that patients frequently perceive as harmless due to its “natural” origins. However, as highlighted in today’s show, this assumption can lead to critical gaps in disclosure, leaving clinicians unaware of a substance that may significantly alter anesthetic management and patient outcomes.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🌿 Kratom acts as both a stimulant and opioid-like substance
⚠️ “Natural” does not mean safe or predictable
🧪 Potency and composition vary widely between products
😴 Patients may present with opioid tolerance or sedation
😵 Withdrawal can mimic pain, agitation, or delirium
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