Is phenacetin the same as paracetamol?

Before it was banned in the United States, phenacetin was commonly used as an antipyretic. Some manufacturers of over-the-counter painkillers are replacing phenacetin with paracetamol, a similar drug that has not yet been shown to be carcinogenic.
Studies have shown that paracetamol can also cause kidney damage, but its side effects are not as serious as phenacetin. People taking drugs containing phenacetin are more likely to suffer from hypertension. In some countries, especially in Europe, phenacetin can still be used as a prescription drug.
So many people can’t tell the difference between phenacetin and paracetamol.

First, let’s introduce paracetamol briefly

It is the most commonly used non-inflammatory and antipyretic analgesic, and is the best variety of acetaniline. It is especially suitable for patients who cannot use carboxylic acid drugs.

The effect of antipyretic effect is similar to aspirin, which can selectively inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandin in the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and causing the expansion of peripheral blood vessels and sweating; It is a peripheral analgesic, which is weaker than aspirin, and is suitable for relieving mild to moderate pain, such as fever, headache, joint pain, neuralgia, migraine and pain caused by cold. However, it can only alleviate symptoms, without obvious anti-inflammatory effect, and can not eliminate the red, swelling and activity disorders caused by arthritis. Therefore, it can not be used to replace aspirin or other NSAIDs in the treatment of various types of arthritis.

Secondly, as an antipyretic and analgesic, phenacetin is used in the treatment of fever, headache, neuralgia, etc. The efficacy of aspirin is similar to that of aspirin, with slow and lasting effect and low toxicity. Studies have shown that phenacetin and its metabolite paracetamol have antipyretic effect. When phenacetin could not be converted into paracetamol by enzyme inhibitor, it still showed obvious antipyretic effect. Therefore, the antipyretic effect after use is not only produced by its active product paracetamol.

The mild analgesic effect of phenacetin can last for 3-4 hours; Combined with salicylic acid, the analgesic effect was enhanced. Clinically, it is mainly used for antipyretic and analgesic in small animals. It is also a component of APC tablets.

From these brief introduction, we can easily know that they are different drugs, although both can be used for antipyretic analgesia, but each has its own focus.

Paracetamol is paracetamol, a non-inflammatory and antipyretic analgesic, mainly for fever. It is the most commonly used non-inflammatory and antipyretic analgesic. It has similar antipyretic effect with aspirin, and has weak analgesic effect, and has no anti-inflammatory and anti rheumatic effect. It is the best kind of acetaniline. It is especially suitable for patients who cannot use carboxylic acid drugs. Used for cold, toothache and other diseases

The chemical composition of the desongpian is aminopyrine, phenacetin. The main pain relief was pain relief. It has the functions of relieving heat, relieving pain and anti rheumatism, and is suitable for fever, headache, neuralgia, toothache, menstrual pain, muscle pain, rheumatoid arthritis and so on. The desongpian is a compound antipyretic analgesic