Phenacetin was widely used until the third quarter of the twentieth century, often in the form of an "A.P.C." or aspirin-phe-nacetin-caffeine compound analgesic, as a remedy for fever and pain. An early formulation (1919) was Vincent's APC in Australia. However the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered the withdrawal of drugs containing phe-nacetin in November 1983, owing to its carcinogenic and kidney-damaging properties (Federal Register of October 5, 1983 (48 FR 45466)). It was also banned in India.As a result some branded, previously phe-nacetin-based preparations continued to be sold, but with the phe-nacetin replaced by safer alternatives. A popular brand of phe-nacetin was Roche's Saridon, which was reformulated in 1983 to contain propyphenazone, paracetamol and caffeine. Coricidin was also reformulated without phe-nacetin. Paracetamol is a metabolite of phe-nacetin with similar analgesic and antipyretic effects, but the new formulation has not been found to have phe-nacetin's carcinogenicity.

Phenacetin  is now being used as a cutting agent to adulterate in the UK and Canada, owing to the similar physical features of the two drugs.

Product Name: Phenacet/Phenacetin 

Phenacetin Synonyms: 1-ACETYL-P-PHENETIDIN;4-ACETOPHENETIDIDE;4-acetophenetidine;4'-ETHOXYACETANILIDE;4-ETHOXYACETANILIDE;ACETOPHENETIDIN;ACETOPHENETIDINE;ACET-P-PHENETIDINE 

Phenacetin MF: C10H13NO2 

Phenacetin MW: 179.22  

Phenacetin EINECS: 200-533-0  

Phenacetin Product Categories: Organics;Amines;Aromatics;Intermediates & Fine Chemicals;Pharmaceuticals;Other APIs  

Phenacetin mp  133-136 °C(lit.)

Phenacetin bp  132 °C / 4mmHg 

Phenacetin storage temp.  2-8°C

Phenacetin Water Solubility  0.076 g/100 mL 

Phenacetin Sensitive  Hygroscopic 

Phenacetin Merck  14,7204 

Phenacetin BRN  1869238 

Phenacetin Stability: Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids. 

Phenacetin Chemical Properties white crystalline powder 

Phenacetin Usage Analgesic, antipyretic. Component of APC tablets, analgesic mixture also containing aspirin and caffeine. Phenacetin is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen; analgesic mixtures containing Phenacetin are listed as known human carcinogens. 

Glycosylation inhibitor