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Does Kratom impact general anesthesia during my surgery?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am going to be under general anesthesia in the coming days for surgery. I did let my pre-operative nurse know and wrote down all my current medicines and supplements, but I have a question about two supplements. I am not going to take them the night before anyway, but I just wanted insight.

The first is Kratom. I wanted her to know so the anesthesiologist could dose my pain medicines right during surgery. The second is Phenibut F.A.A. (free amino acid). Would this have any effect on tolerance to the Benzodiazepine they choose to administer? Please help.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You are taking two drugs, one of which is a psychoactive compound (Kratom), while the other one is a mind calming magnet (Phenibut). If you have been taking those drugs for a long time, you may have some tolerance to Opioids, Benzodiazepines, or other sedative anesthetic medicines. So, I would suggest you personally inform the anesthesiologist regarding them so that he can make necessary adjustments in the dose of anesthetic agents. I just have added the effects of these medicines on the body.

Kratom contains psychoactive compounds Mitragynine (C23H30N2O4, molecular weight 398.49) and 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7-HMG). It is used to treat chronic pain or opioid withdrawal, although no scientific evidence supports this use. The leaves are used for recreation and for self-medicated opioid withdrawal treatment. Kratom's toxic effects include dry mouth, changes in urination, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Serious complications, such as seizures and coma, have been reported.

The effects of Kratom are dose-dependent. Small doses produce cocaine-like effects; larger doses cause morphine-like sedative effects. Kratom users report increased work capacity, alertness, sociability, and sometimes increased sexual desire. Phenibut is a modified version of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain. It exhibits a relaxing effect and is also described as producing a euphoriant, dis-inhibiting, and calming state of mind.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed byDr. Divya Banu M

Published At January 15, 2020
Reviewed AtOctober 17, 2025

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