Drugs/Therapy

Horrific Flesh-Rotting Drug Krokodil May Be In Chicago, Doctor Says

By Kamal Nayan | Update Date: Oct 13, 2013 03:23 PM EDT

The flesh-eating drug, krokodil popular in Eastern Europe and Russia has surfaced in U.S. and most likely in a Chicago suburb, health official said. Krokodil is the cheaper alternative to heroin and is originated from Russia.

Dr. Abhin Singla, an internist at Provena St. Joseph’s Medical Center said that at least three patients has symptoms which were indicating krokodil abuse in a hospital statement this week. These included symptoms such as scaly skin, lesions, gangrenous limbs and abscesses.

Krokodil is primarily a back-alley version of desomorphine which is derived from codenine and then processed with ordinary ingredients. These ordinary ingredients include paint thinner, hydrochloric acid, iodine, gasoline, red phosphorus and lighter fluid.

“It is a horrific way to get sick,“ said Dr. Singla according to Los Angeles Times. ”The smell of rotten flesh permeates the room."

Recently Singla came through a patient, 25-year-old woman with lengthy history of heroin abuse, who also reported switching over to krokodil about one month ago.

“When she came in, she had the destruction that occurred because of this drug over about 70% of her lower body,” Singla said in an interview with CBS2 in Chicago.

The drug has similar effect to heroin on brain and accomplishes a similar “high” to the body. The price of krokodil is just 10% of the price of heroine which also accounts to its popularity.

However DEA is still dubious about the presence of this highly addictive drug.

“We, the DEA, are not seeing cases of it,” agency spokeswoman Dawn Dearden told FoxNews.com. “Nothing’s been turned into any of our labs. As far as the DEA is concerned, we have not seen any cases.”

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