Khat

Scientific Name(s): Catha edulis Forsk.
Common Name(s): Abyssinian tea, Chaat, Chat, Gat, Gomba, Jaad, Jimma, Kaht, Kat, Khat, Kijiti, Kus es Salahin, Miraa, Qaad, Qat, Qut, Tchaad, Tchat, Tea of the Arabs, Tohai, Tohat, Tschut, Veve

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 22, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Khat leaves are chewed mainly for their psychostimulant and euphoric effects. It has traditionally been used to elevate mood and combat fatigue. Khat is also believed to have antiobesity effects due to appetite suppression. However, there are no well-controlled clinical trials to support any of these uses.

Dosing

100 to 300 g of fresh leaves are chewed to form a bolus (called a "quid") that is held against the cheek on one side of the mouth while swallowing its juice; a typical "khat session" lasts for 3 to 4 hours. A khat preparation was administered at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg of cathinone in a pharmacokinetic study.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Documented adverse effects.

Interactions

Khat chewing interferes with the absorption of amoxicillin and ampicillin. Nicotine and caffeine increase the stimulant effects of khat.

Adverse Reactions

Constipation is among the most commonly experienced adverse reaction in khat users. Other serious adverse reactions include cardiovascular, CNS, endocrine, metabolic, GI, dental, cognitive, psychiatric, and respiratory effects.

Toxicology

Khat may cause oral and gastric cancer, cerebral hemorrhage, severe headache, myocardial infarction (MI), duodenal ulcers, hypertension, low-birth-weight infants, and a variety of other severe effects, including addiction and associated sequelae.

Scientific Family

• Celastraceae (stafftree)

Botany

Khat is a natural stimulant native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, with distribution in parts of the Middle East and on the island of Madagascar. It is a tall evergreen shrub (2.7 to 3.7 m in height) that grows best at high elevations (1,500 to 2,000 m above sea level). Its tender twigs and leaves are harvested almost year-round. White leaves are more rare and more expensive than red leaves. Freshly harvested khat has traditionally been wrapped in banana leaves to keep it moist during export to neighboring African countries.Patel 2015

History

The khat plant is believed to be native to Ethiopia and to have been introduced to Yemen between the first and sixth centuries.Mihretu 2017 Though khat has been used historically for medicinal purposes, it is most valued as a stimulant.Al'absi 2013 Chewing parts of the khat plant is one of the most common forms of drug use and abuse in many East African nations, with use increasing steadily in recent years and becoming a problem of social and medical importance. Use is highly prevalent in Yemen, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eretria, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia, and is rapidly growing in Western Europe, Asian countries, North America, and Australia.Al'absi 2013, Al-Maweri 2017 Khat is still legal in some countries in Africa and Europe but is illegal in others, such as Germany.Al'absi 2013, Bongard 2015 Recent bans were established in the Netherlands in 2012 and in the United Kingdom in 2013.Bongard 2015

Given its social and cultural tradition in African and some Middle East societiesAl'absi 2013 and because of its euphoric effects, khat chewing often plays a dominant role in celebrations, meetings, marriages, and oth...