Krokodil (drug)
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| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Dependence liability | Very high |
| Addiction liability | Very high |
| Routes of administration | Intravenous |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status |
|
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Onset of action | 2 - 3 minutes |
| Duration of action | About 2 hours |
| Identifiers | |
| E number | {{#property:P628}} |
| ECHA InfoCard | {{#property:P2566}} |
Krokodil (крокодил), meaning crocodile, is a slang term for a crude form of desomorphine, an opiate and depressant drug. Krokodil was originally created to be a cheaper and easier to obtain alternative to heroin. The drug earned the nickname "crocodile" for causing severe gangrene and necrosis in users, causing one's skin to look like the scales of a crocodile.[1][2] It originated in Russia, but the drug expanded to other countries in eastern Europe, America, and the United Kingdom.[3]
Synthesis[edit]
Synthesis varies, but usually, Krokodil is made by combining codeine cough syrup, tropicamide eyedrops, and solvents such as phosphorus (from crushed tips of matches), sodium hydroxide (from drain cleaner), gasoline, acetone (from paint thinner), butane (from lighter fluid), muriatic acid, or iodine. The solvent chemicals in Krokodil makes it especially dangerous to users.[2][4]
Legality[edit]
Krokodil was more accessible than heroin because the ingredients - codeine and tropicamide, were available as over-the-counter medications in Russia, however, in 2012, due to widespread production of Krokodil, these drugs were put behind the counter and were made prescription-only.[5]
Effects[edit]
Short term[edit]
Krokodil provides a high ten times as potent as morphine, that kicks in from 2 -3 minutes and lasts approximately 2 hours.[4] Users feel the euphoric, pain relieving, sedating, and relaxing effects of opiates, but people high on Krokodil have impaired decision-making, motor function, and speech skills. Krokodil may cause unconsciousness or death by overdose large amounts and is especially more dangerous in combination with other strong depressants such as benzodiazepines, alcohol, heroin, or other opioid drugs.
Long term[edit]
The negative health effects of codeine abuse are worsened by Krokodil's tropicamide and solvent chemical content and its intravenous usage, causing Krokodil to have a high risk for causing addiction, withdrawal, and death from overdose or health complications from long-term effects. Krokodil was reported as three times as likely to cause addiction when compared to heroin.[3] Long term consequences of use are gangrene, necrosis, blood vessel damage, liver damage, kidney damage, bone damage, memory loss, and bacteremia.[2] Additionally, the sharing of needles can spread AIDS.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Krokodil Tears". www.vice.com. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Krokodil Drug Facts: Effects, Abuse & Warnings". Drugs.com. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Horrific Flesh-Eating Drug Hits Arizona". HuffPost. 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Krokodil (Desomorphine): Effects, Risks & Treatment". 2021-10-16. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
- ↑ "Krokodil · California Poison Control System (CPCS)". California Poison Control System (CPCS). 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
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