Krokodil / Desomorphine

What is Desomorphine?
Desomorphine is a derivative of morphine
with powerful, fast-acting opioid effects, such
as sedation (usually used for minor surgeries)
and analgesia (relief from pain/pain killer).
--

Eight to ten times more powerful than

morphine.
Desomorphine is derived frommorphine
where the 6-hydroxyl group and the 7,8
double bond have been reduced.

How it works in the Brain

Desomorphine binds to the opiate receptors
found in the brain and spinal cord, which
inhibits pain signals from reaching the brain.
Then, the brain sees desomophine as an
overdose of endorphins and no longer
produces endorphins naturally.
Resulting in increased pain tolerance,
increased addiction, and a sense of
relaxation/well-being.

How is it made?
The main ingredient in krokodil is codeine, which is
similarly cooked when making meth.

Codeine is cooked at home with paint thinner, gasoline,

hydrochloric acid, iodine and the red phosphorous from
matchbox strike pads.

Since it is cooked at home, it is a less hygienic cooking

process which contributes to the chronic side effects.

Why the name?

After the mixture is cooked, the liquid
is injected into the veins, the area
becomes infected and the drug user
develops extreme skin ulcerations,
infections, and gangrene- a
discolored (green, black) scale-like
skin that resembles a crocodile.
Blood vessels burst around injection
site and the rotting of the tissue
begins.

Short Term Effects

Feeling Lethargic
Dizziness while standing

Chronic Effects
- Blood vessel damage

Open ulcers, gangrene,

phlebitis (Inflammation in veins, typically the legs)

Skin and soft tissue infections
Limb amputations

Need Skin grafts/surgery

Pneumonia
Blood poisoning

Meningitis-

(inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal

cord)

Rotting

Continued . . .
Blood-borne virus transmission
(HIV/AIDS due to needle sharing)
Bone infections (osteomyelitis
)
Speech and motor skills
impairment
Memory loss and impaired
concentration
Liver and kidney damage

History
Originally made by a 1930s chemist named Lyndon F. Small, who was the head of
a team searching to create a painkiller that was less addictive than morphine. They
made various synthetic forms of this drug resulting in desomorphine. It was
supposed to help fight drug addiction, not cause it. Tests on monkeys showed that
there was no chemical dependency and it was eight to ten times more powerful
than morphine. As they started testing this drug on humans, the results backfired.
In the early 2000s, Krokodil reemerged in Russia. Hospital patients had patches of
crocodile-like sores which was caused by injecting this drug.
Known as the Poor Mans Drug because a hit of krokodil costs about 1/10th

Pics

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How Long Does it Last?

The intense but short high lasts
anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours
Life Expectancy is 1-2 years, at most
3 years

Withdrawals
Grueling Withdrawals
(Early)

(Worsening)

Agitation

Diarrhea

Muscle Aches
Insomnia
Cramping
Sweating

Vomiting
Abdominal
Dilated Pupils

Treatment
Recovery is rare
The immense pain is sufficient to cause
heart failure so strong tranquilizers are
needed during detox.
Users usually die before they seek help.

Works Cited
ON, ADMIN. "Beware, New Drug Rising in the U.S. Krokodil Cheap Substitute for Heroin

[Warning: Graphic
Images]."Http://genesisbe.com/. N.p., 25 Jan. 2014. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.
http://genesisbe.com/2014/01/25/beware-new-drugrising-in-the-u-s-krokodil-cheapsubstitute-for-heroin-warning-graphic-images.
"Desomorphine."Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Mar. 2016. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desomorphine.

https://

"Krokodil Drug Facts: Effects, Abuse & Warnings - Drugs.com."Krokodil Drug Facts: Effects, Abuse & Warnings - Drugs.com. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2016. <http://www.drugs.com/illicit/krokodil.html>.

"Krokodil Information."RSS. Narconon, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2016. <http://www.narconon.org/drug-

Hurst, Rex. "Rex Hurst Speaks.": Krokodil. N.p., 9 Jan. 2016. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.
<http://rexhurstspeaks.blogspot.com/2016/01/krokodil-zombie-drug-brought-to-us-by.html>.

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<http://krokodilhistory.blogspot.com/>.

information/krokodil.html>.

"Shocking Photos Of The Devastation Sweeping The World Due To Krokodil."TellMeNowcom Shocking Photos Of
The Devastation Sweeping The World Due To Krokodil Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2016.
<http://www.tellmenow.com/2014/03/shocking-photos-of-the-devastation-sweeping-the-world-due-to-krokodil/>.
Friedman, Jeffrey C. "Krokodil : The Deadly Drug That Is Eating Young Russians Alive." (n.d.): n. pag. Apr. 2012.
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Krokodil. N.d.Marlonwayans.tv. Web. 6 Apr. 2016.
Krokodil. N.d.Portal JNP. Web. 6 Apr. 2016. <http://www.portaljnp.com.br/index.php?
pag=noticia&id=9578&p=5>.

Continued . . .

Krokodil. N.d.10 Worst Effects of Drug Krokodil. Web. 6 Apr. 2016.

<https://www.google.com/search?
q=krokodil&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=911&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&
sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwj0mIHc__rLAhUO4GMKHdsRAoIQ_AUIBigB#imgdii=6K
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