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Desomorphine Stats & Data

Depressant Research-chemical Opioid

Krok Croc Krokodil Permonid Crocodile

NPS DataHub

MW271.36

FormulaC17H21NO2

CAS427-00-9

IUPAC4,5α-epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3-ol

SMILESCN1CCC23C4CCCC3C1Cc1ccc(O)c(O4)c12

InChIKeyLNNWVNGFPYWNQE-GMIGKAJZSA-N

Chemical Class Opioid

Psychoactive Class Depressant

Half-Life Short (on the order of hours); clinical literature describes rapid onset with short action relative to morphine, consistent with brief elimination half‑life.

Pharmacology

DrugBank

State Solid

Description

Desomorphine is a morphine analogue where the 6-hydroxyl group and the 7,8 double bond have been reduced. The traditional synthesis of desomorphine starts from α-chlorocodide, which is itself obtained by treating thionyl chloride with codeine. By catalytic reduction, α-chlorocodide gives dihydrodesoxycodeine, which yields desomorphine on demethylation. Desomorphine has been created by the public as a street drug. In that context, it is commonly called krokodil (Russian for crocodile), named for the scaly sores and necrosis that develop around the injection site.

Receptor Profile

Receptor Actions

Agonists

μ-opioid receptor agonist (full)

History & Culture

1920–1934

Desomorphine was first discovered and patented in Germany in 1920 by researchers working for the pharmaceutical company Knoll, though this early work did not gain widespread recognition. The compound was independently synthesized in the United States in 1932 by chemist Lyndon Frederick Small, who subsequently obtained a US patent in November 1934. The original research aimed to develop an alternative to morphine that would demonstrate improved tolerance and addiction properties alongside a better side effect profile. However, these goals were not realized, as desomorphine ultimately exhibited an increased dependence potential compared to morphine.

1940–1981

Desomorphine entered clinical practice when Hoffmann-La Roche introduced it to the Swiss market in 1940 under the trade name Permonid. The drug was also used in Germany and Austria for the treatment of severe pain, particularly in postoperative settings. Clinically, it was characterized by a rapid onset of action, relatively short duration of effects, minimal nausea compared to other opioids, and analgesic potency estimated at eight to ten times that of morphine. Despite these favorable pharmacological properties, concerns regarding its high dependence and abuse potential led to its withdrawal from the market. Permonid was officially discontinued around the end of 1952. In an unusual circumstance, production continued in Switzerland until 1981 to serve the idiosyncratic analgesic needs of a single patient in Bern who suffered from a rare disease requiring this specific medication.

2003–2012

Desomorphine resurfaced in an entirely different context when homemade preparations began appearing in the Russian drug scene around 2003, initially reported in Siberia. This emergence coincided with a major governmental crackdown on heroin production and trafficking, which created demand for alternative opioids. The widespread availability of inexpensive over-the-counter codeine-containing medications in Russia, combined with a relatively straightforward synthesis process achievable in home laboratories, facilitated the spread of clandestine production. The street preparation became known as krokodil, the Russian word for crocodile. This name reportedly references the scaly, green-black skin discoloration frequently observed in users, though some sources suggest a connection to the chemical name of the precursor compound α-chlorocodide. The drug attracted international attention in 2010 following reports of severe medical cases resulting from intravenous injection of impure preparations. Street-produced krokodil is characteristically contaminated with toxic byproducts from the synthesis process, which involves reagents such as iodine, red phosphorus, and various solvents. The severe tissue damage and necrosis associated with injection of these impure preparations earned desomorphine media nicknames including "the flesh-eating drug" and "the zombie drug." Notably, pharmaceutical-grade desomorphine itself does not produce these tissue-damaging effects, which result entirely from contaminants in clandestine preparations.

Effect Profile

Curated

Opioid 6.6

Strong euphoria with moderate itching/nausea, mild pain relief and sedation

Euphoria / Warmth×3

Analgesia×2

Sedation / Relaxation×1

Itching / Nausea×1

Based on reports from:

Erowid Experience Reports PsychonautWiki Desomorphine

Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics

drugs.wiki

Half-Life

Short (on the order of hours); clinical literature describes rapid onset with short action relative to morphine, consistent with brief elimination half‑life.

Addiction Potential

Very high. Full μ‑opioid receptor agonist with rapid onset and short action, encouraging compulsive redosing; commonly cited as ≈8–10× the IV potency of morphine in medical contexts, though figures vary across sources and routes.

Tolerance Decay

Full tolerance 3d Half tolerance 5d Baseline ~21d

Pattern inferred from opioid class data and community reports: fast tolerance buildup with daily/frequent redosing; partial reversal over 1–2 weeks; near‑baseline in ~3–4 weeks for many, but longer after heavy/chronic use. Data quality limited; individual variability is high.

Cross-Tolerances

All μ‑opioid agonists (morphine, heroin, hydromorphone, fentanyl family)

100% ●●○

Legal Status

Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961

Country	Status	Notes
Germany	Anlage I BtMG	Listed in Anlage I of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act). Manufacturing, importing, possessing, selling, or transferring the substance without a license is illegal.
Russia	Schedule I	Controlled as a Schedule I substance under Russian drug legislation. Possession, production, and distribution are prohibited.
Switzerland	Verzeichnis A	Specifically named as a controlled substance under Verzeichnis A of Swiss narcotics regulations. Unlike many other jurisdictions, medicinal use is permitted under appropriate authorization.
United States	Schedule I	Controlled under the Controlled Substances Act (USC Title 21). Manufacturing, buying, possessing, or distributing desomorphine without a DEA license is prohibited. Classified as a depressant with high abuse potential and no accepted medical use.

Harm Reduction

drugs.wiki

• The majority of catastrophic harms reported with “krokodil” are linked to impure, highly acidic home‑cooked mixtures containing iodine, red phosphorus by‑products, phosphoramides, and other corrosives; these contaminants—not pharmaceutical desomorphine itself—drive tissue necrosis, phlebitis, osteomyelitis, and systemic infections. Laboratory and clinical reviews consistently attribute the extreme local damage to these by‑products. Keep expectations realistic: harm reduction cannot fully mitigate risks from unknown, caustic mixtures.

• If injecting any opioid, markedly reduce risk by using sterile water, new sterile equipment each time, and a 0.22 μm wheel filter (PVDF/nylon) to remove particulates and many bacteria; avoid using cotton/cigarette filters. Avoid IM/SQ (“muscling/skin‑popping”), which carries especially high risk of abscess and necrosis with contaminated solutions. Rotate sites; never share supplies. These steps are standard HR practice and particularly critical with suspected krokodil.

• Rapid onset with short duration increases redose compulsion; plan doses in advance, avoid stacking, and use milligram‑accurate scales. Test allergy sensitivity with a very small fraction of an intended dose if opioid‑naïve or uncertain potency. Community and historical medical sources describe substantially higher potency than morphine by IV, underscoring overdose risk at mg/sub‑mg errors.

• Overdose risks: profound respiratory depression may peak early and can outlast perceived euphoria. Do not use alone; have naloxone present and someone trained to respond (rescue breathing, emergency services). Be aware of renarcotization: naloxone works 30–90 min; effects may wear off while the opioid persists—monitor for recurrence and repeat dosing as needed.

• Adulteration alert: opioid supplies in many cities frequently contain benzos (e.g., bromazolam), xylazine, and multiple high‑potency opioids (fluorofentanyl, nitazenes). These combinations blunt naloxone’s effect on sedation (xylazine) and increase overdose severity. Utilize drug‑checking services where available; if using test strips, remember fentanyl strips do not detect xylazine/benzos.

• Prefer non‑injecting ROAs (e.g., oral) when possible; if injecting, aim for near‑neutral pH and fully dissolved, filtered solutions; never inject turbid/colored mixtures. Seek prompt wound care for redness, swelling, warmth, severe pain, fever, or streaking—these are infection warning signs.

• Tolerance escalates rapidly with frequent dosing; physical dependence can develop within days. Plan spacing and consider opioid agonist therapy if daily use emerges. Keep constipation prevention in mind (hydration, fiber/osmotic laxatives) and avoid driving/operating machinery during and after use due to prolonged sedation.

• Supply reality: genuine, pharmaceutical‑grade desomorphine (e.g., historic Permonid) is almost never encountered; most “krokodil” reports involve crude, variable products with desomorphine sometimes only a minor component. Dose assumptions are therefore highly unreliable.