Acetophenetidin Was Classed As An Antipyretic Analgesic

Acetophenetidin

Acetophenetidin U.S.P.; (Phenacetin; Acetphenetidin; Acetylphenetidin; Acetphen; Oxyethylacetamid). Acetophenetidin is acetanilid with the para hydrogen of the benzene ring substituted by the ethoxyl group.

It occurs as stable, white, odorless crystals having a slightly bitter taste. It is not very soluble in water (1:1,310) but is readily soluble in alcohol (1:1), chloroform (1:1) or ether (1:130).

In general properties and incompatibilities, such as being decomposed by acids and alkalies, it is similar to acetanilid. Various colors are formed with the same reagents, as mentioned for acetanilid.

Phenacetin is used widely as an analgesic and antipyretic, having essentially the same actions as acetanilid. It should be used with the same cautions because the toxic effects are the same as those of acetanilid.

The usual dose is 0.3 Gm., with a suggested range of 0.3 to 1 Gm.
Various Forms
Acetophenetidin Tablets U.S.P.
Acetophenetidin and Phenyl Salicylate Tablets N.F.
Acetylsalicylic Acid, Acetophenetidin and Caffeine Capsules and Tablets N.F.

Acetanilid N.F. (Antifebrin, Phenylacetamid).

Acetanilid is the monoacetyl derivative of aniline, prepared by heating aniline and acetic acid for several hours. It is a member of the aniline group of an algesic-antipyretics commonly referred to as the "coal tar analgesics" because these drugs are prepared from aniline, a coal tar product. It can be recrystallized from hot water and occurs as a stable, white, crystalline compound. It is slightly soluble in water (1:190) and easily soluble in hot water, ace-tone, chloroform, glycerin (1:5), alcohol (1:4) or ether (1:17).

Acetanilid is a neutral compound and will dissolve in neither acids nor alkalies, but by heating is hydrolyzed into its components, acetic acid and aniline. The acid hydrolysis is the quicker.

After sodium hydroxide saponification, the addition of a few drops of chloroform produces, with the freed aniline, poisonous phenylisocyanide. A number of color reactions are known for aniline, which is formed by boiling acetanilid with hydrochloric acid. Upon the addition of phenol to such a solution, a brownish red color forms when a solution of sodium hypochlorite is added, changing to deep blue as ammonia T.S. is introduced. A violet color is produced when the acidified solution of acetanilid (aniline hydrochloride) is treated with a solution of sodium hypochlorite.