A very vile krokodil

Abstract

A homemade injectable desomorphine concoction goes by the street name krokodil, alternatively dubbed ‘Russian magic’. Desomorphine is an opiate derivative. Krokodil has also been referred to as ‘the drug that eats junkies’. This can be made for recreational purposes from a cocktail including ingredients obtained over the counter, notably codeine and other additives such as iodine, and red phosphorus from match striking surfaces. Given the illicit nature of the brews, it may have varied constituents and complexities in chemical composition with both different metabolites and contaminants.