Acetophenetidin, also known as phenacetin, is a type of pain reliever that is no longer widely used due to its potential for causing kidney damage and cancer. Despite its controversial reputation, acetophenetidin remains an important part of medical history and is still studied by researchers today.
Definitions
Acetophenetidin is a white crystalline powder that was originally used as a pain reliever and fever reducer. It was first synthesized in 1878 by Harmon Northrop Morse and became popular in the early 20th century as an over-the-counter medication. However, its use declined in the 1950s due to concerns about its safety.
Origin
Acetophenetidin was first synthesized by Harmon Northrop Morse, a chemist from Massachusetts, in 1878. Morse was attempting to create a new type of pain reliever by combining the chemical structures of two existing drugs, acetanilide and para-phenetidine. The resulting compound, acetophenetidin, proved to be a highly effective painkiller and soon became a popular over-the-counter medication.
Meaning in different dictionaries
Acetophenetidin is defined in various dictionaries as a synthetic compound that was once used as a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is also known by its chemical name, N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)acetamide, and its trade name, phenacetin. Some dictionaries also note that acetophenetidin has been linked to kidney damage and cancer.
Associations
Acetophenetidin is associated with the medical history of pain relief and the development of synthetic drugs. It was once a popular over-the-counter medication but is now considered unsafe due to its potential for causing kidney damage and cancer. Acetophenetidin is also associated with the opioid crisis, as it was sometimes used as a cutting agent for heroin.
Synonyms
Acetophenetidin is also known by its chemical name, N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)acetamide, and its trade name, phenacetin. It is sometimes referred to as a “para-phenetidine derivative” or simply as a “painkiller.”
Antonyms
There are no true antonyms of acetophenetidin, as it is a specific chemical compound. However, some people may consider natural remedies or alternative treatments to be the opposite of synthetic pain relievers like acetophenetidin.
The same root words
Acetophenetidin contains the root words “acet-” and “phenetidine.” “Acet-” refers to the chemical structure of acetanilide, while “phenetidine” refers to a related compound that is used in the synthesis of acetophenetidin.
Example Sentences
- Acetophenetidin was once a popular pain reliever, but it has since been banned due to safety concerns.
- The chemical name for acetophenetidin is N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)acetamide.
- Some people have used acetophenetidin as a cutting agent for heroin, which has contributed to the opioid crisis.
- Researchers are still studying the effects of acetophenetidin on the human body, especially in relation to cancer and kidney damage.
- Although acetophenetidin is no longer used as a pain reliever, it remains an important part of medical history and the development of synthetic drugs.