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Glite Dictionary
phenacetin

phenacetin

1 9.9
A pain and fever medicine used in the past that can harm the kidneys
  • noun
  • /ˌfɛnəˈsɛtɪn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : fenacetina

Examples

  • Paracetamol was synthesized in the United States at about the same time, but was discarded in favor of phenacetin, which was thought to be safer.

    Academic text (2012)

  • This works to mix his blood with the compound, which is heavy on codeine, light on aspirin, caffeine, and phenacetin.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Drug Trade Name: Phenaphen contains phenacetin, aspirin, hyoscyamine sulfate, and phenobarbital.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The pain relief in the tablet is due to the presence of phenacetin, which was commonly used to treat headaches.

  • Doctors used to prescribe phenacetin for its analgesic properties before it was banned due to health concerns.

  • Many people remember phenacetin as a popular painkiller before its dangers became well known.

Synonyms

acetophenetidin
vsphenacetin
  • Archaic
9.9

A white medicine once used to reduce pain and fever

has identical meaning but specifies usage in medical contexts

Surface Forms

phenacetin singular
phenacetins plural

Etymology

Phenacetin comes from parts chemists use: phen- (from 'phenyl', a common ring of carbon atoms), -acet- (the same root as in acetic, which comes from Latin for 'vinegar'), and -in (a usual chemical ending). So the name simply labels it as a particular chemical, which fits that phenacetin is a medicine compound once used for pain and fever.