6533b837fe1ef96bd12a3380

RESEARCH PRODUCT

“Krokodil”—Revival of an Old Drug with New Problems

Maximilian GahrCarlos Schönfeldt-lecuonaIngo M. GunstRoland W. FreudenmannChristoph HiemkeBernhard J. Connemann

subject

Morphine DerivativesHealth (social science)business.industryInternet privacyPublic Health Environmental and Occupational HealthMedicine (miscellaneous)Opioid-Related DisordersDesigner DrugsRussiaEuropePsychiatry and Mental healthWestern europemedicineHumansDesomorphinebusinessmedicine.drug

description

In order to summarize current knowledge about the drug "Krokodil" a systematic review including a literature search of the databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google was conducted in December 2011. According to information acquired, "Krokodil" is a mixture of several substances and was first reported to have been used in Russia in 2003. The core agent of "Krokodil" is desomorphine, an opioid-analogue that can be easily and cheaply manufactured by oneself. Self-production results in a contaminated suspension that is injected intravenously. Due to its pharmacologic features, desomorphine shows a high potential to cause dependence. Against the background of first possible cases of "Krokodil" use in Western Europe, it appears advisable to provide information regarding the fatal consequences of "Krokodil."

https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2012.669807