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Krokodil

“The Poor Man’s Heroin”

Why Are Millions Addicted To A Drug That Eats the Flesh Off Their Bones?

Student Project Created By: P. Schiffman-Brinker


“Krokodil” is the street name for the
homemade injectable mixture that has
been used as a cheap substitute for
Heroin. Desomorphine is the Semi-
synthetic opioid claimed to be the main
component of Krokodil and considered to
be responsible for its psychoactive
characteristics. The starting materials for
Desomorphine synthesis are codeine
tablets, alkali solutions, organic solvent,
acidified water, iodine and red
phosphorus. The resulting product is a
light brown liquid that is called “Krokodil”.
People who inject Krokodil present a
great variety of serious signs and
symptoms, including gangrene,
ulcerations, limb amputation and even
death. These effects are thought to be PHOTO: UIG via Getty Images
the cause of its toxic components.
Krokodil Recipe
Krokodil is a street name that refers to desomorphine, a semi-synthetic opioid commonly synthesized
from codeine.

1. “Krokodil” is a mixture of several chemicals; the root agent is desomorphine, a synthetic derivative of morphine. It
can be manufactured at home from codeine, along with easily available additives, and is significantly cheaper than
heroin. Desomorphine has 8 to 10 times higher analgesic potency, faster onset of action, and shorter half-life
compared with morphine, which accounts for its increased addictive potential.4, 5 The simple and cheap domestic
production process involves boiling codeine with a diluting agent (mostly paint thinner), gasoline, hydrochloric acid,
iodine, and red phosphorous (which are scraped from the striking surfaces on matchboxes), resulting in the
production of desomorphine and various toxic byproducts.3 Because of the high degree of contamination with
different toxic chemicals, which vary among users, scientific analysis of the chemical composition is not available.
Its regular use results in severe damage to the vasculature, muscles, and bones, and in multiorgan failure with a
mean survival time of 2 years since its first use.3, 6 Use of this novel flesh-eating drug has been spreading rapidly
across Europe1, 2 because of its low cost and higher addictive potential. With a significant number of prescription
opiate drug abusers in the United States, “Krokodil” could find a fertile breeding ground here.
Chemical Properties

Composition of Desomorphine

https://glow420.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/images.jpg
Photo: www.gizmodo.com.au
Symptoms of
Krokodil is injected Addiction include,
gangrene, blisters,
scaly skin , loss of
limbs and or skin
Photo: Visual.ly

Average
Krokodil is fast 1 ½ -2 hour Symptoms of Heroin vs
lifespan with
acting effect Addiction Krokodil
use 2-3 yrs

Photo: rehabcenter.net

High lasts under 2


hours (heroin can last
up to eight)
Why Are Why Are Millions Addicted To A Drug That Eats the Flesh Off Their Bones?
g That Eats the Flesh Off Their Bones?

Geography->Many users report resorting to krokodil at times when heroin becomes too
expensive,indicating that heroin addiction is a primary factor in krokodil use. (at one point it was
predominant in Russia but it's starting to be seen in the US).

Kitchen Chemistry-> All elements used to create Krokodil can be easily obtain. Processing is similar to
meth where it can be cooked. It's 3 times cheaper to produce than heroin, and it’s basically acid with
opioid effects which will eat the user's body from the inside out (bursts blood vessels).

Class->Social disadvantage (stemming from poverty, unemployment, homelessness) increases risk for
problematic substance use.

Age->Age: Some observers speculate that one reason Russian teenagers begin using drugs is because of
extreme boredom during intense winter months. U.S. research indicates that boredom is a risk factor for
drug use.

Stigma/Attitude towards Treatment-> Addictis might fear getting treatment due to worry of being identified,
targeted and stigmatized for their addiction.
Please note the
next page contains
graphic Images.
Photo:http://healthylifestyle365.net/happens-body-krokodil-zombie-drug/

Photo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBBc9vSgAt4

Photo: www.pinterest.com
Student Project References
Skowronek, R., Celińński, R., & Chowaniec, C. (2012). 'Crocodile' - new
Alves, E. A., Grund, J. C., Afonso, C. M., Netto, A. P., dangerous designer drug of abuse from the East. Clinical Toxicology
Carvalho, F., & Dinis-Oliveira, R. J. (2015). The harmful chemistry (15563650), 50(4), 269. doi:10.3109/15563650.2012.6605
behind krokodil (desomorphine) synthesis and mechanisms of toxicity.
Forensic Science International, 249207-213.
1. 1Jean-Paul C. Grund, http://www.ijdp.org/article/S0955-
doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.02.001
3959(13)00051-0/abstract Alisher Latypov,
http://www.ijdp.org/article/S0955-3959(13)00051-0/abstract
B. Waxman, O. (2013). Chicago Area Krokodil Victims Describe Drug's Magdalena Harris) Breaking worse: The emergence of krokodil
Horrifying Effects. Time.Com, 1. and excessive injuries among people who inject drugs in Eurasia,
International Journal of Drug Policy
Dolengevich-Segal, H., Rodríguez-Salgado, B., Gómez-Arnau, J., & http://www.ijdp.org/issues?issue_key=S0955-3959(13)X0004-0
Sánchez-Mateos, D. (2017). An approach to the new psychoactive drugs Volume 24, Issue 4, Pages 265-274, July 2013.
phenomenon. Salud Mental, 40(2), 71-82. doi:10.17711/SM.0185- 2. 3Gahr, M., Freudenmann, R.W., Hiemke, C. et al. Desomorphine
3325.2017.010 goes “crocodile”. (Review. Erratum in: J Addict Dis. 2013;32:118)J
Addict Dis. 2012; 31: 407–412
Grau, L. E., Green, T. C., Torban, M., Blinnikova, K., Krupitsky, E., Ilyuk,
R., . . . Heimer, R. (2009). Psychosocial and contextual correlatees of
opioid overdose risk among drug users in St. Petersburg, Russia. Harm
Reduction Journal, 6(17). doi: 10.1186/1477-7517-6-17

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