Quick answer
Kratom’s main compound, mitragynine, has a half-life of about one day, so it likely stays in the body for several days to about a week, though detection times have not been well studied. Kratom is not detected by routine drug screens, including opiate tests.
How long will it show up on a drug test?
Pick a substance, test type and how often it was used. Estimates are based on published research.
1 Substance
2 Type of test
3 How often
Usually detectable in urine · Kratom · once or occasionally
Not well established — likely several days
There are no controlled studies of kratom urine detection times. This estimate comes from its roughly one-day half-life.
- What the test looks for
- Mitragynine and its metabolites
- On standard drug tests?
- Not on routine drug screens, including standard opiate tests. It needs a specialized lab test.
- How fast it clears
- About 1 day on average in regular users, with wide variation (about 23 ± 16 hours).
Estimates, not a guarantee. Dose, how often and how long someone has used, body fat, hydration, metabolism and the lab’s cutoff all change the window. No calculator can tell you how a specific test will come out.
Worried about your use or someone else’s? Talk to someone 24/7: ☎ (833) 589-6933 Who answers?
How long does kratom stay in your urine?
There are no controlled studies of exactly how long kratom shows up in urine. The estimates below are based on what is known about how the body processes mitragynine, the main active compound.
| Test | Once or occasionally | Daily or regular use |
|---|---|---|
| Urine | Not well established — likely several days | Not well established — likely up to a week |
| Blood | Not well established — likely 1–3 days | Not well established — likely several days |
| Saliva | Not established | Not established |
| Hair | Not established | Not established |
Kratom half-life
In a study of regular kratom users, mitragynine had an average half-life of about 23 hours, with a lot of variation between people (plus or minus 16 hours). Since it takes about five half-lives for most of a substance to clear, kratom likely stays in the body for several days. Only a tiny share is passed unchanged in urine, so labs look for its metabolites.
Does kratom show up on a drug test?
Not on routine drug screens. Kratom acts on opioid receptors, but it is chemically different from opioids, and standard opiate, oxycodone and methadone screens do not detect it. Detecting kratom requires a specialized lab test (LC-MS/MS) for mitragynine and its metabolites. Some kratom products have been found mixed with other drugs, which then show up on tests.
Is kratom addictive?
It can be. People who use kratom daily can develop dependence and withdrawal symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal, including cravings, muscle aches, irritability and trouble sleeping. Treatment approaches used for opioid dependence, including medications in some cases, can help. See our opioid addiction treatment guide.
What affects how long kratom stays in your system?
- How much and how often. A single use clears far faster than daily or heavy use, which can build up in the body.
- The test and its cutoff. Every test has a cutoff level. Labs using lower cutoffs or more sensitive methods (like LC-MS/MS) can detect use for longer.
- Metabolism, age and health. Liver and kidney function, age, genetics and other medications change how fast a drug is broken down.
- Body fat and hydration. Fat-soluble drugs linger longer in people with more body fat. Diluted urine can lower concentrations, and labs check for dilution.
- Product strength. Kratom products vary widely in how much mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine they contain.
When a drug test is the least of your worries
If you are looking this up because you are worried about an upcoming test, it may be worth asking a bigger question: is your use starting to cost you something, such as your job, your health, money or relationships? Needing to plan around a drug test is itself a sign some people use to decide it is time for help.
Treatment is more flexible than most people expect. Outpatient programs let you keep working, and many plans cover rehab under federal parity rules. You can get matched with up to 3 programs in about a minute, browse rehab centers by state, or call the number on this page to talk it through. It is free and confidential.
Detection times for other substances
See every substance side by side on our drug detection times chart.
Frequently asked questions
How long does kratom stay in your system?
Detection times have not been well studied. With a half-life of about one day, kratom likely stays in the body for several days to about a week with regular use.
Does kratom show up on a drug test?
Not on routine drug screens, including standard opiate tests. It requires a specialized lab test for mitragynine.
Can kratom cause a false positive for opioids?
Kratom itself does not trigger standard opiate screens. But some kratom products have been contaminated with other drugs, which can show up on a test.
Is kratom withdrawal dangerous?
Kratom withdrawal is usually not life-threatening, but it can be very uncomfortable and resembles opioid withdrawal. A doctor or treatment program can help manage it.
