Phenacetin
(Redirected from Commotional)
Phenacetin is a painkiller and fever reducer that was widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was one of the first non-opioid analgesics to be discovered and was a key ingredient in many popular over-the-counter drug formulations. However, due to its association with serious health problems, including cancer and kidney disease, it has been largely phased out and is no longer commercially available in many countries.
History[edit | edit source]
Phenacetin was first synthesized in 1878 by the German chemist Harmon Northrop Morse. It was initially marketed as a treatment for fever and pain, and was included in a number of popular drug mixtures, including the headache remedy "Bayer's 'Phenacetin-Koffein'". However, by the mid-20th century, evidence began to emerge linking phenacetin to serious health problems, leading to its gradual withdrawal from the market.
Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
Phenacetin is a prodrug that is metabolized in the body to paracetamol, which is the active compound that exerts the analgesic and antipyretic effects. The metabolism of phenacetin occurs primarily in the liver, involving two main enzymatic pathways: N-deethylation to paracetamol and O-deethylation to phenetidine.
Health effects[edit | edit source]
Long-term use of phenacetin is associated with serious health problems. It has been linked to methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder that reduces the ability of red blood cells to release oxygen to tissues, and nephropathy, a form of kidney disease. Phenacetin is also a known carcinogen, and its use has been linked to an increased risk of developing bladder cancer and renal pelvis cancer.
Legal status[edit | edit source]
Due to its health risks, phenacetin has been banned in many countries. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of phenacetin in 1983, citing its carcinogenicity and the risk of kidney damage. In the United Kingdom, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) withdrew phenacetin from the market in 1968.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This pharmacology-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
