Krokodil (Desomorphine): Uses, Side Effects, & Warnings

Krokodil (also known as desomorphine) is a highly addictive and dangerous drug that has devastating effects on the body. Often referred to as the zombie drug, krokodil can cause severe damage to the skin, muscles, and organs, leading to horrific outcomes like rotting flesh, infections, and even death.

Originally used in Russia as a cheap substitute for heroin, krokodil has spread to other countries, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. This guide explains why krokodil should not be used under any circumstances. It also outlines how you can connect with compassionate treatment for substance abuse if you or a loved one are dealing with these issues.

What Is Krokodil (Desomorphine)?

Krokodil, or desomorphine, is a highly addictive drug derived from painkiller codeine mixed with other substances. The drug gets its street name, krokodil, because it causes the skin of those using the drug to become scaly and green, like a crocodile’s. Krokodil skin happens due to the toxic chemicals used to make it, such as gasoline, paint thinner, and lighter fluid, potentially triggering gangrene.

Desomorphine was created in the 1930s as a medical drug to treat pain, but it was quickly abandoned due to its high potential for abuse and harmful side effects [1]. Today, krokodil is an illegal street drug, most often found in Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe, but is also being seen in the US and elsewhere. People who use krokodil are looking for a cheaper alternative to heroin, but the price they pay in terms of health is remarkably high. 

How Is Krokodil Used

Krokodil is most commonly injected directly into the veins, similar to how heroin is used. This method delivers a quick, intense high lasting about 1-2 hours.  

The process of making krokodil involves mixing codeine with a variety of harmful household chemicals. Because the drug is homemade, it is often impure and dangerous to inject. The chemicals can cause severe damage to the skin, muscles, and blood vessels at the injection site, leading to infections, tissue death, and sometimes the need for amputation.

While injecting is the most common way to use krokodil, some people may also smoke or ingest it. However, these methods are less common due to the strong desire for the quicker, more intense krokodil effects that come from injecting the drug. Regardless of how it’s used, krokodil is incredibly harmful and life-threatening. 

Krokodil Drug Pictures

The damage caused by krokodil is shocking and hard to believe until you see it. Pictures of those who use krokodil show the terrible effects this drug has on the body. The skin at the injection site often turns green or black, becomes scaly, and eventually rots away. The skin can peel off completely, exposing muscle and bone underneath. Below are some pictures that reveal the horrifying consequences of krokodil use.

Why Is Krokodil Also Known as the “Zombie Drug”?

Krokodil is often called the zombie drug [2]. The nickname comes from the way krokodil affects the skin and behavior of those using the drug. People addicted to krokodil often develop scaly, infected skin and may appear lifeless, moving slowly and without energy, similar to how zombies are often portrayed in movies. The drug can cloud their minds, making it hard to think clearly or speak normally. These physical and mental changes, along with the horrifying skin damage, are why krokodil is known as the zombie drug.

Krokodil Drug Effects

Krokodil is one of the most dangerous drugs in the world due to its devastating effects on both the mind and body. This homemade drug, often created with toxic chemicals, can cause severe damage after just a short period of use. From the moment it enters the bloodstream, krokodil begins to wreak havoc, resulting in horrifying consequences that affect the person physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Short-Term Effects

The effects of krokodil are felt almost immediately after use, especially when injected into the bloodstream. The drug works quickly, producing a strong but short-lived high similar to that of heroin. However, because the high lasts only about 90 minutes to two hours, people often inject more frequently to maintain the feeling and avoid painful withdrawal symptoms. The short-term effects may seem similar to other opioids, but they are much more dangerous due to the way the drug is made and the toxic ingredients it contains.

Here are some of the short-term effects of krokodil use:

• Euphoria: Like other opioids, krokodil gives people a powerful sense of euphoria or a high that makes them feel relaxed and happy [3]. This feeling is why many people are drawn to the drug, even though its effects are brief and followed by a rapid decline.
• Pain relief: Krokodil is a strong painkiller, much more powerful than morphine. People using the drug feel numb and detached from physical pain, which is why they often continue using it even as it begins to destroy their bodies.

• Drowsiness and sedation: After injecting krokodil, people may feel drowsy or sedated. This often leads to heavy sleep or a near-unconscious state, making it difficult to function or stay alert.
• Skin reactions at injection sites: One of the most alarming short-term effects of krokodil is the immediate damage it causes to the skin [4]. Because the drug is made with harmful chemicals like gasoline and paint thinner, it begins to erode the skin, muscles, and blood vessels near the injection site. People may notice swelling, redness, and pain in the area where the drug was injected.
• Rapid dependence: Krokodil is so potent that people can become physically dependent on the drug after just a few uses. The need to inject more frequently to avoid withdrawal symptoms leads to a dangerous cycle of repeated use in a short time.
• Nausea and vomiting: Many people who use krokodil experience nausea and vomiting shortly after using the drug. This is a common side effect of opioids, especially when taken in large doses or when mixed with other harmful chemicals.
• Shallow breathing: Krokodil, like other opioids, can slow breathing. This effect can be dangerous, as it may lead to respiratory problems, and in some cases, it can cause the person to stop breathing altogether.

These short-term effects, while serious, are only the beginning of the problems caused by krokodil. Continued use quickly leads to long-term damage that is much more severe and life-threatening.

Long-Term Effects

The long-term effects of krokodil are devastating, with many people suffering irreversible damage to their bodies and minds. Unlike other drugs, which may take years to cause serious health problems, krokodil often leads to life-threatening conditions within months or even weeks of use. Because the drug is made using toxic chemicals, it has a much more harmful impact than other opioids.

Some of the long-term effects of krokodil use include:

• Skin and tissue necrosis: One of the most well-known effects of krokodil is the destruction of skin and tissue. The chemicals used to make the drug, such as gasoline and hydrochloric acid, cause the skin to turn green or black and develop large, open sores. These wounds can become infected, leading to tissue death (necrosis). In severe cases, the flesh around the injection site may rot away completely, leaving bones exposed.
• Severe infections: As the skin and tissue die, people are at high risk for infections. These infections can spread throughout the body, leading to sepsis, a life-threatening condition when the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation. Left untreated, sepsis can result in organ failure and death.
• Gangrene: People using krokodil often develop gangrene, a condition where body tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply. This is caused by the toxic chemicals in the drug damaging the blood vessels and restricting blood flow. In many cases, gangrene leads to amputations as doctors try to stop the infection from spreading.
• Organ damage: Long-term use of krokodil can cause significant damage to internal organs, including the liver, kidneys, and heart. These organs struggle to process the toxic substances in the drug, leading to liver and kidney failure, heart problems, and even death.
• Brain damage: Krokodil use can trigger cognitive problems, including memory loss, confusion, and difficulty thinking. Over time, the drug can cause permanent brain damage, leaving users unable to function normally or care for themselves.
• Mental health issues: The physical damage caused by krokodil is often accompanied by severe mental health issues [5]. People may experience depression, anxiety, paranoia, and other psychological disorders. In some cases, these problems can lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
• Shortened life expectancy: Unfortunately, the long-term effects of krokodil are often fatal. Many people die within two to three years of starting the drug, either from overdose, infections, or organ failure.

The long-term consequences of krokodil are far-reaching, affecting nearly every part of the body and mind. Despite these dangers, many people continue to inject the drug due to its highly addictive nature. Avoid this drug at all costs.

Krokodil Warnings & Risks

The use of krokodil comes with extreme risks, many of which are immediate and life-threatening. People who use krokodil, even once, are putting themselves at risk of severe injury or death. 

Addiction Risk

Krokodil is one of the most addictive drugs available. Its high potency and short duration of action cause people to inject it frequently, leading to rapid physical and psychological dependence [6]. The body quickly builds up tolerance to the drug, meaning that people need more and more to achieve the same high. This leads to a cycle of repeated use, with some people injecting every couple of hours to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms.

The withdrawal symptoms from krokodil are similar to those of other opioids, but they can be even more intense due to the drug’s strength. People may experience muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, and depression during withdrawal. These symptoms can be so uncomfortable that individuals are often driven back to the drug to relieve their discomfort, making it incredibly difficult to quit without professional help.

The addiction risk associated with krokodil is dangerous because the drug’s effects are so damaging. Most people are aware of the harm it causes, but the powerful cravings and painful withdrawals make it almost impossible to stop using on their own.

Overdose

The risk of overdose with krokodil is extremely high. Like other opioids, krokodil slows down the body’s central nervous system, which can lead to respiratory failure. When someone takes too much of the drug, their breathing may become so shallow that it stops entirely, resulting in death. The homemade nature of krokodil also makes overdose more likely, as people can never be sure of the drug’s potency or what harmful chemicals are in it. 

Signs of a krokodil overdose include:

• Slow or stopped breathing: This is the most dangerous sign of an overdose. When breathing becomes too slow, it can lead to brain damage or death due to a lack of oxygen.
• Severe drowsiness or unconsciousness: An overdose may cause the person to lose consciousness or fall into a coma.
• Weak pulse: A krokodil overdose can cause the heart to slow down, leading to a weak or irregular pulse.

If someone shows signs of a krokodil overdose, seek emergency medical help immediately. Overdose is often fatal, and time is of the essence when it comes to saving a life.

Get Insurance-Covered Krokodil Addiction Treatment at Renaissance Recovery

If you have been dealing with drug or alcohol addiction, we can help you get back on track at Renaissance Recovery. We have welcoming and inclusive rehabs in California and Florida where you can get compassionate addiction treatment while continuing to meet your daily commitments.

All drug addictions are unique, so all our treatment plans are personalized. Therapies may include:

• Talk therapies
• Motivational therapies
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Counseling
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Holistic therapy
• Aftercare

Start your recovery from opioid abuse by calling 866-330-9449.

Sources

[1] https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/desomorphine.pdf

[2]https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.pn.2014.3a23 

[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/euphoria

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864092/

[5] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8583742/