Kava-Related Poison Center Calls Surge
Calls to poison centers about kava, a drug found in drinks marketed as a healthy alternative to alcoholic beverages, rose 383% between 2011 and 2025. The increase in kava-related calls coincided with the growing availability of products containing both kava and kratom, leading to severe health outcomes such as adverse neurological and cardiovascular effects.
Researchers at UVA Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center found a significant increase in kava-related calls to poison centers. In 2025, there were 203 calls, up from 57 in 2011. Men ages 20 and older accounted for the largest number of calls. The combined use of kava and kratom has also increased, accounting for 30% of all kava-related calls in 2025. This combination can cause adverse interactions, including seizures and tremors. The increase in kava-related calls has led to severe health outcomes, with 32% of exposures involving adverse neurological and cardiovascular effects in 2025.
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