The flesh-eating drug krokodil has arrived in the U.S., CNN reports.

According to the report, five individuals were recently hospitalized in the Chicago suburb of Joliet, Illinois, with symptoms believed to be the result of the flesh-eating drug krokodil. The symptoms were reportedly similar to cases recently documented in Arizona and Oklahoma.

The National Institutes of Health’s Toxnet notes that desomorphine, which is the chemical name for krokodil, was first reported to have been used in Russia in 2003. It can be produced using codeine, iodine, gasoline, paint thinner, hydrochloric acid, lighter fluid, and red phosphorus.

“It’s a zombie drug — it literally kills you from the inside out,” Dr. Abhin Singla, an internist and addiction specialist at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, told CNN. “If you want way to die, this is a way to die.”

Desomorphine is reportedly called krokodil because of the scale-like look of skin of its users. The drug is reportedly utilized as a cheaper alternative to heroin, as codeine tables are available without a prescription in Russia. Due to the fact that the drug is routinely injected immediately with little or no further purification, desomorphine has become well-known for generating tissue damage, as well as injury to the veins and gangrene.

The growing list of people being hospitalized with symptoms of krokodil use has federal officials concerned.

“The DEA is very concerned about the recent news that several patients who were treated at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet had symptoms consistent with the use of the drug Krokodil,” said Jack Riley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Chicago Field Division, in a statement obtained by The Huffington Post.

“Our agents and task force officers are on the street canvassing the area, and trying to track down any leads. We want to be pro-active and get out ahead of the curve on this, but until we can get our hands on the drugs and people who are trafficking in it, we won’t know the extent of what we’re dealing with. What we do know is that if this is krokodil, it is extremely dangerous and we’re doing everything within our authority to stop it.”

Time reported on Monday that last year’s death of an Oklahoma man may have been linked to krokodil.

What do you think of this new drug? Why are people taking a drug that destroys their flesh? Share your thoughts in the comments section.