Phenacetin is an analgesic, but its use has declined owing to its association with several adverse side effects, some of which are described in the following. Typical doses are 300mg to 500mg a day.
Phenacetin was introduced in 1887, and was used principally as an analgesic, and was one of the first synthetic fever reducers to go on the market. It is also known historically to be one of the first non-opioid analgesics without anti-inflammatory pr...
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Phenacetin is an analgesic, but its use has declined owing to its association with several adverse side effects, some of which are described in the following. Typical doses are 300mg to 500mg a day.
Phenacetin was introduced in 1887, and was used principally as an analgesic, and was one of the first synthetic fever reducers to go on the market. It is also known historically to be one of the first non-opioid analgesics without anti-inflammatory properties.
Its analgesic effects are due to its actions on the sensory tracts of the spinal cord. In addition, phenacetin has a depressant action on the heart, where it acts as a negative inotrope. It is an antipyretic, acting on the brain to decrease the temperature set point. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (subacute type) and intercostal neuralgia.
The first synthesis was reported in 1878 by Harmon Northrop Morse.
Phenacetin may be synthesized as an example of the Williamson ether synthesis: ethyl iodide, paracetamol, and...
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