desomorphine

Desomorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid analgesic first synthesized in the United States in 1932 and briefly marketed by Hoffman-LaRoche under the brand name Permonid for post-operative pain. It is a morphinane alkaloid and a derivative of morphine with modifications that make it more lipophilic and about 8–10 times more potent than morphine. Desomorphine acts primarily as a mu-opioid receptor agonist with less activity at kappa- and delta-opioid receptors. It has a faster onset of action and shorter duration compared to morphine but carries an increased risk of dependence, respiratory depression, hypotension, urinary retention, and other side effects. Medical use was discontinued due to its high addictive potential and severe adverse effects. In recent years, illicitly produced desomorphine—commonly known as "krokodil"—has been used recreationally as a cheap heroin substitute; this form is often contaminated with toxic byproducts leading to severe tissue damage at injection sites[1][3][4][7][8].

Brand names

Permonid

Other names

krokodilcrocodildesomorfina