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WARNINGDANGER OF DEATH
High doses alone or ordinary doses in combination with other depressants can fatally stop breathing.
Desomorphine
Dihydrodesoxymorphine
Krokodil, Krok, Crocodile, Croc, Permonid
Desomorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid of the morphinan class, first synthesized in the early 1930s and marketed by Roche under the trade name Permonid.citation needed Characterized by a fast onset, short duration, and analgesic potency roughly ten times that of morphine intravenously, its significant dependence potential led to withdrawal from clinical use. It is the psychoactive component of the crude street preparation known as krokodil,1 notorious for causing severe tissue necrosis at injection sites due to toxic impurities and is highly disadvised to use.citation needed
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Threshold~10 mg
Light10-15 mg
Moderate15-20 mg
Strong20-30 mg
Heavy30+ mg
Duration
Onset15-90 minutes
Total3-4 hours
Subjective Effects
Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.
The experience is broadly comparable to that of heroin or oxycodone, dominated by euphoria, sedation, and powerful pain relief. Owing to its structural differences from morphine, the onset is notably rapid and the duration of action considerably shorter, producing a fast-arriving but relatively brief opioid state. At equianalgesic doses, respiratory depression is more severe than that of morphine.
Physical
The body experience combines heavy sedation and analgesia with characteristic opioid side effects, including constipation, nausea and vomiting, itching, urinary retention, and suppression of the drive to breathe. Pupil constriction, skin flushing, and pins-and-needles sensations (paresthesia) commonly accompany the experience, and drops in blood pressure have been noted.
Cognitive
The headspace centers on opioid euphoria alongside a sedated, pain-free mental state. Decreased libido is also reported.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Desomorphine is a potent morphine-like opioid that acts as an agonist at the μ-opioid receptor, functionally mimicking the activity of endogenous endorphins. Historical clinical comparisons found it approximately 8 to 10 times more potent than morphine on a milligram-per-milligram basis via intravenous or intramuscular administration.citation needed The available literature does not provide a modern desomorphine-specific receptor subtype affinity panel or a defined functional Emax comparison that would justify calling it a full agonist without naming an assay.
Pharmacokinetics
In recombinant human enzyme experiments, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C18, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 contributed to desomorphine metabolism. Eight phase I metabolites were identified: nordesomorphine, desomorphine-N-oxide, norhydroxydesomorphine, and five hydroxylated species.7 Nine recombinant UGTs, namely UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, UGT1A10, UGT2B4, UGT2B7, UGT2B15, and UGT2B17, contributed to formation of desomorphine-glucuronide. These in-vitro findings characterize candidate metabolic pathways but do not establish human oral or injected bioavailability, clearance, metabolite exposure, or half-life.7 Desomorphine has a pKa of 9.69 and exists in four isoforms (A, B, C, and D), with the C and D forms appearing to be the more commonly studied.
Metabolitesnone documented yet
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Unsafe
AvoidThere is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Full Tolerance
Prolonged repeated desomorphine use can produce tolerance to many effects. Tolerance does not rise at the same pace for every effect; euphoric effects tend to show the fastest tolerance, while other therapeutic effects may become tolerant more gradually.
Cross Tolerance
All other opioids
Baseline Reset
No specific timeline for tolerance returning to baseline is documented, though tolerance is known to diminish during periods of cessation; after a break, previously tolerated doses become significantly more dangerous, and it is safer to take only a fraction of one's usual dosage if relapsing.
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely HighDemonstrates significantly higher abuse potential than morphine in human use, with compulsive redosing patterns similar to heroin.citation needed The rapid onset produces an intense euphoric rush that reinforces addictive behavior. Animal studies showed limited addiction liability, but real-world use patterns indicate extremely high psychological addiction potential.
Physical
HighPhysical dependence develops with repeated administration, requiring increasing doses to achieve desired effects. Withdrawal syndrome occurs upon cessation.citation needed Animal studies in monkeys showed less severe tolerance and withdrawal compared to morphine, though human patterns indicate significant physical dependence typical of potent opioids.
Toxicity
Respiratory
Pure desomorphine produces more severe respiratory depression than morphine at equianalgesic doses, making this the primary mechanism of fatal overdose.citation needed
Cardiovascular
Pure desomorphine can cause hypotension as a clinical side effect. Illicitly manufactured krokodil is associated with destruction of blood vessels, phlebitis, thrombosis, and endocarditis from injection of contaminated material.citation needed
Skin and Soft Tissue
Injecting contaminated krokodil can rapidly injure and destroy tissue in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and bones, sometimes requiring limb amputation in long-term users; pure desomorphine does not cause these effects.citation needed
Musculoskeletal
Illicit krokodil use is associated with bone infection (osteomyelitis), cartilage damage, and muscle destruction; these effects stem from toxic synthesis contaminants rather than desomorphine itself.citation needed
Hepatic
Liver damage has been reported in users of illicitly manufactured krokodil, attributed to toxic synthesis contaminants rather than desomorphine itself.citation needed
Renal
Kidney damage has been reported in users of illicitly manufactured krokodil, attributed to toxic contaminants rather than desomorphine itself.citation needed
Thyroid
Iodine used in illicit synthesis can cause thyroid damage in users of contaminated krokodil.citation needed
Central Nervous System
Brain damage has been reported among users of illicitly manufactured krokodil, attributed to toxic contaminants; pure desomorphine causes sedation but no documented long-term neurotoxicity.citation needed
Urinary
Urinary retention is a recognized side effect at clinical doses and was considered a significant adverse effect limiting therapeutic use.
Seizure Risk
Seizures are listed among serious medical complications but are not a primary concern or commonly reported adverse effect with desomorphine use.
History & Culture
Discovery and Early Development
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…
Legality
International
Desomorphine is listed in Schedules I & IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It is not listed under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. It is not listed under the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
By Country
Illegal26
United StatesIllegalDesomorphine is listed as an opium derivative in Schedule I of 21 CFR § 1308.11, with DEA Controlled Substances Code Number 9055. It has been federally controlled since the Controlled Substances Act took effect on May 1, 1971; except as authorized by that Act, knowingly or intentionally manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing it is unlawful.
AustraliaIllegalPoisons Standard9
Desomorphine is listed in Schedule 9 of Australia’s Poisons Standard. Schedule 9 is the schedule for prohibited substances.
AustriaIllegalSuchtgiftverordnung, Anhang I.1.b10
Desomorphine is listed as a Suchtgift in Anhang I.1.b of Austria’s Suchtgiftverordnung. It is therefore subject to Austria’s narcotic-drug controls under the Suchtmittelgesetz.
BrazilIllegalDesomorphine is listed as desomorfina in Brazil’s List F1 of narcotic substances of proscribed use. Article 4 prohibits the production, manufacture, import, export, trade, and use of proscribed substances and medicines. The rule preserves a narrow exception for authorized bodies and institutions conducting medical and scientific research.
CanadaIllegalControlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule I13
Desomorphine is a Schedule I controlled substance under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Activities involving it are prohibited unless authorized by the Act or its regulations.
Czech RepublicIllegalGovernment Regulation No. 463/2013 Coll., on Lists of Addictive Substances (current consolidated text)1516
Desomorphine (Desomorfin) is listed in List No. 3 of narcotic substances. The regulation reserves this list for narcotic substances and preparations that may be used only for limited research, scientific, and very limited therapeutic purposes specified in a handling authorization; it does not place desomorphine in the blue-stripe List No. 1 prescription category.
FinlandIllegalValtioneuvoston asetus huumausaineina pidettävistä aineista, valmisteista ja kasveista (543/2008)17
Desomorfiini is listed as a narcotic substance in Finland’s government decree 543/2008. The listing brings it within Finland’s narcotics-control regime.
FranceIllegalArrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants18
Desomorphine is classified as a narcotic drug in France’s official list of substances classed as stupéfiants. The classification subjects it to the French narcotics-control rules.
IndiaIllegalIndia lists desomorphine under the chemical name dihydrodesoxymorphine (spelled "Desmorphine" in the schedule) in Schedule I to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules, 1985. Import and export of Schedule I narcotic drugs are prohibited; the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 also prohibits production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, warehousing, use, and consumption of narcotic drugs except for medical or scientific purposes and in the manner authorised by the Act, rules, or orders.
IndonesiaIllegalPeraturan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor 7 Tahun 2025 tentang Perubahan Penggolongan Narkotika2526
Desomorphine (dihydrodesoxymorphine) is listed as a Group I narcotic under Minister of Health Regulation No. 7 of 2025, which took effect on 30 June 2025. Group I narcotics are not permitted for health services and may be used only in limited quantities for scientific development; unauthorized possession, production, and distribution are criminal offences under the Narcotics Law.
IrelandIllegalMisuse of Drugs Act 1977, Schedule27
Desomorphine is listed in the Schedule to Ireland’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. The Act controls possession and other dealings in scheduled controlled drugs.
ItalyIllegalDecreto del Presidente della Repubblica 9 ottobre 1990, n. 309 (Testo unico delle leggi in materia di disciplina degli stupefacenti e sostanze psicotrope), Tabella I282930
Italy lists desomorphine (dihydrodesoxymorphine) in Tabella I of Presidential Decree No. 309 of 9 October 1990. Unauthorized production, manufacture, sale, distribution, transport, supply, dispatch, delivery, and non-personal-use possession of Table I substances are criminal offences; Article 73(1) provides imprisonment from six to twenty years and a fine of €26,000 to €260,000.
JapanIllegalNarcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, Schedule31
Desomorphine is included in Japan’s statutory narcotics schedule. It is regulated as a narcotic under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act.
NetherlandsIllegalOpiumwet, List I33
Desomorphine is included in List I attached to the Dutch Opium Act. List I substances are subject to the Act’s prohibition and authorization system.
New ZealandIllegalMisuse of Drugs Act 1975, Schedule 134
Desomorphine is a Class A controlled drug in Schedule 1 to New Zealand’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The Act controls its possession and other dealings.
PhilippinesIllegalDesomorphine is listed in both Schedule I and Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention in the Dangerous Drugs Board’s current official controlled-substances list. Republic Act No. 9165 defines dangerous drugs to include substances in the schedules annexed to that Convention. The Act criminalizes unauthorized importation, sale, delivery, transport, manufacture, and possession of dangerous drugs.
PolandIllegalRegulation of the Minister of Health on the list of narcotic drugs, Annex 237
Dezomorfina is listed in Poland’s official schedule of narcotic drugs. The listing places the substance in Group I-N under Poland’s narcotics-control framework.
SingaporeIllegalMisuse of Drugs Act 1973, First Schedule44
Desomorphine is listed in the First Schedule to Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. The Act treats it as a controlled drug.
South KoreaIllegalDesomorphine is a narcotic under Appendix 1 of South Korea's Narcotics Control Act Enforcement Decree, which expressly lists it together with its salts. The Narcotics Control Act prohibits people who are not licensed narcotics handlers from possessing, manufacturing, importing, exporting, selling, delivering, transporting, administering, or using narcotics except as the Act permits.
SpainIllegalLey 17/1967, de 8 de abril, por la que se actualizan las normas vigentes sobre estupefacientes y adaptándolas a lo establecido en el Convenio de 1961 de las Naciones Unidas4748
Spain classifies desomorphine as a prohibited article under Ley 17/1967 because it is included in List IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Production, manufacture, trafficking, possession, and use are prohibited, except for quantities necessary for medical and scientific research, including clinical experiments under the supervision and control of the Dirección General de Sanidad.
SwedenIllegalDesomorphine (desomorfin; dihydrodeoxymorfin) is listed in Sweden’s List II of narcotics, with international classification N I+IV. List II covers substances, plant material and fungi with medical use. Unauthorised possession, use, transfer, manufacture, acquisition, processing, transport or storage of narcotics is a narcotics offence; the basic offence carries imprisonment of up to three years.
ThailandIllegalTable of Controlled Narcotic Drugs in Thailand52
Desomorphine is listed as a Category I narcotic drug in Thailand’s official controlled-narcotics table. Category I drugs are subject to Thailand’s narcotics controls.
UkraineIllegalCabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 770 of 6 May 2000, On approving the list of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors5657
Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 770 lists desomorphine (dihydrodesoxymorphine) in Table I, List No. 1 as an especially dangerous narcotic drug whose circulation is prohibited. Since the Resolution’s adoption on 6 May 2000, this classification prohibits its production, manufacture, storage, acquisition, sale, import, export, transit, and other circulation in Ukraine, subject only to the statutory exceptions applicable to Table I List No. 1 substances.
United KingdomIllegalMisuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 258
Desomorphine is a Class A drug in Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Its possession, supply, production and importation are controlled under the UK drug-control regime.
Controlled / restricted3
ColombiaRestrictedResolución 000116 de 202614
Desomorphine (dihydrodesoxymorphine) is listed in Colombia’s current Annexo Técnico 1 as a substance subject to special control and fiscalización, in Lista Amarilla (I y IV). Resolution 000116 of 2026 modifies the technical annexes adopted under Resolution 315 of 2020 and takes effect from its issuance. The listing establishes controlled status rather than a categorical prohibition.
MexicoRestrictedLey General de Salud32
Desomorphine is listed as an estupefaciente under Article 234 of the Ley General de Salud. Acts involving estupefacientes, including possession, commerce, prescription, supply, use, and consumption, may be carried out only for medical and scientific purposes and require authorization from the Secretaría de Salud under Article 235. Desomorphine is not among the substances expressly prohibited by Article 237.
TurkeyRestrictedUyuşturucu Maddelere Dair 1961 Tek Sözleşmesine Katılmamızın Uygun Bulunduğu Hakkında Kanun (Law No. 812), approving the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961535455
Desomorphine (dihydrodeoxymorphine) is a Schedule I narcotic drug under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, which Turkey joined on 12 May 1967 under Law No. 812. Turkey controls the drug rather than treating it as an ordinary lawful product: unlicensed or licence-contrary manufacture, import, and export of narcotic or stimulant drugs are criminal offences under Article 188 of the Turkish Criminal Code. The convention’s Schedule I regime permits use only within the controlled medical and scientific system, rather than creating a general prohibition on every authorised use.
Legal / decriminalized2
PortugalDecriminalizedLei n.º 30/2000, de 29 de novembro; Decreto-Lei n.º 15/93, de 22 de janeiro (Tabela I-A, republicada pela Lei n.º 23/2025)383940
Desomorphine is listed as Desomorfina in Table I-A annexed to Decreto-Lei n.º 15/93, as republished by Lei n.º 23/2025, which entered into force on 8 March 2025. Unauthorised production, manufacture, sale, distribution and other trafficking in Table I substances remain criminal offences under Article 21 of Decreto-Lei n.º 15/93, punishable by four to twelve years’ imprisonment. Consumption, acquisition and possession solely for personal consumption are administrative offences rather than crimes under Lei n.º 30/2000; that decriminalisation took effect on 1 July 2001, and the law defines personal acquisition or possession as no more than ten days’ average individual use.
SwitzerlandLegal (regulated)References
Source Pages
Citations
- Maximilian Gahr, Roland W. Freudenmann, Christoph Hiemke, Ingo M. Gunst, Bernhard J. Connemann, & Carlos Schönfeldt-Lecuona. (2012). Desomorphine goes "crocodile". Journal of Addictive Diseases, 31(4), 407–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2012.7355701
- Desomorphine (Krokodil) Basics; curated drug-information summary, modified 2016-05-05. erowid.org (n.d.). https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/desomorphine/desomorphine_basics.shtml1
- Desomorphine substance reference page; current page accessed 2026-08-16. psychonautwiki.org (n.d.). https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/Desomorphine1
- Synthetic substances with morphine-like effect: clinical experience; potency, side-effects, addiction liability. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 17(4–5), 569–863 (1957). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13511135/1
- Metabolism and Analysis of Desomorphine. ojp.gov (n.d.). https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/254755.pdf1
- California Poison Control System; updated January 2023. calpoison.org (n.d.). https://calpoison.org/blog/krokodil1
- Jessica Winborn, Donovan Haines, & Sarah Kerrigan. (August 2018). In vitro metabolism of desomorphine. Forensic Science International, 289, 140–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.05.01712
- Emanuele Amorim Alves, Jean-Paul Cornelis Grund, Carlos Manuel Afonso, Annibal Duarte Pereira Netto, Félix Carvalho, & Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira. (April 2015). The harmful chemistry behind krokodil (desomorphine) synthesis and mechanisms of toxicity. Forensic Science International, 249, 207–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.02.0011
- Poisons Standard. tga.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.tga.gov.au/products/regulations-all-products/legislation-and-legislative-instruments/poisons-standard-susmp1
- Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang I.1.b. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Anlage=1&Artikel=&Gesetzesnummer=10011053&Paragraf=&Uebergangsrecht=1
Further Reading
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Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
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