What is phenacetin? A Legacy of Analgesic Efficacy and Toxic Effects
•
4 min read
Introduced in 1887, phenacetin was once a widely used pain and fever reducer but was eventually withdrawn from markets worldwide due to its toxic effects. Understanding **what is phenacetin** reveals a cautionary tale of drug development, where a potent remedy was eventually eclipsed by its severe, long-term health consequences, leading to its replacement by safer alternatives like acetaminophen.
