Overview

Khat is a plant. The leaves and stem have been traditionally chewed by people in East African countries as a recreational drug to elevate mood (as a euphoriant).

As a medicine, khat leaf is used for diabetes, muscle strength, to lower the need for food and sleep, and to increase aggression, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists khat as a drug that creates "dependence" in people, meaning it produces a continuing desire to keep using it. It is banned in countries like the US and Canada. However, it is legal in some European countries. Khat is used by many people from East Africa and Yemen.

How does it work ?

Khat contains stimulants similar to amphetamines.

Khat contains stimulants similar to amphetamines.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for KHAT overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Khat is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most people. Although it isn't associated with physical addiction, it can cause psychological dependence. When people try to stop chewing khat, they may experience withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms include irritation, nervousness, depression, loss of appetite, trembling, feeling hot, sleep problems, and nightmares.

Khat can also cause many side effects including mood changes, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, manic behavior, paranoia, and psychosis. Trouble sleeping, loss of energy, and lack of concentration usually follow after use of khat. Severe side effects from khat include migraine, bleeding in the brain, heart attack, changes to blood vessels, lung problems, liver damage, and changes in sex drive and sexual performance.

Chewing khat leaves has led to infections that can cause problems such as pain below the ribs, changes in white blood cells, and an enlarged liver. This is probably from contamination of fresh, damp khat leaves.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Khat is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most people. Although it isn't associated with physical addiction, it can cause psychological dependence. When people try to stop chewing khat, they may experience withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms include irritation, nervousness, depression, loss of appetite, trembling, feeling hot, sleep problems, and nightmares.

Khat can also cause many side effects including mood changes, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, manic behavior, paranoia, and psychosis. Trouble sleeping, loss of energy, and lack of concentration usually follow after use of khat. Severe side effects from khat include migraine, bleeding in the brain, heart attack, changes to blood vessels, lung problems, liver damage, and changes in sex drive and sexual performance.

Chewing khat leaves has led to infections that can cause problems such as pain below the ribs, changes in white blood cells, and an enlarged liver. This is probably from contamination of fresh, damp khat leaves.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take khat by mouth if you are pregnant. Khat may lower birth weight and cause problems for the mother. It is also POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take khat by mouth if you are breast-feeding. Some of the active chemicals it contains can pass into breast-milk and reduce the amount of breast-milk produced. Avoid use.

Depression: Chewing khat might make people feel depressed. This might be especially unsafe in people who already have depression. Avoid use.

Diabetes: Using khat seems to increase levels of blood sugar in people with diabetes. Avoid use.

High blood pressure: Khat might increase blood pressure. This might be especially unsafe in people who already have high blood pressure. Avoid use.

Interactions

    Major Interaction

    Do not take this combination

  • Ampicillin interacts with KHAT

    Khat might reduce how much ampicillin the body absorbs. This might decrease how well ampicillin works. Separate dose times by at least 2 hours.

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with KHAT

    Khat might increase blood pressure. By increasing blood pressure, khat might decrease the effectiveness of medications for high blood pressure.

    Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

  • Stimulant drugs interacts with KHAT

    Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Khat might also speed up the nervous system. Taking khat with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with khat.

    Some stimulant drugs include diethylpropion (Tenuate), epinephrine, phentermine (Ionamin), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), and many others.

  • Medications for mental conditions (Antipsychotic drugs) interacts with KHAT

    Khat may reduce the effects of antipsychotic drugs. Until more is known, do not use khat if you are taking an antipsychotic agent.

  • Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with KHAT

    Warfarin is a blood thinner. Chewing khat might decrease the effects of warfarin. This might increase the risk for clotting. Until more is known, don't chew khat if you take warfarin.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of khat depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for khat. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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