Phenacetinum

Phenacetinum.

Para-acetphenatidine. C6H4OC2H5NHC2H3O.

Cyanosis. Face, eruption on. Fevers.

Phenacet. belongs to the Aniline group, and was introduced into old-school practice as a remedy in febrile states and neuralgias, free from the dangers of Antfeb., Antipyr., Exalg., &c. Though not so dangerous as these, it is not free from ill effects. These have been well summed up by F. G.

Oehme (H. R., xv. 506), and I have put them in Schema form, and added a symptom observed by myself on a young lady who had taken Phenacet. for headaches: A circumscribed rash on both cheeks which came out red, lasted four days and then peeled, and as soon as it was clear the process was repeated. I tried many remedies with varying success, but it finally disappeared under Alm. 30, one powder at bedtime.

Anxiety.

Vertigo, faintness.—Headache and flushed face.

Oedema of lower lids and fingers.

Permanent deafness.

Circumscribed, erythematous, exfoliating eruption on both cheeks; fading away and recurring for several weeks (finally cured with Alm. 30).

Nausea; epigastric pains.

Large doses may cause uraemia.—Frequent urination at night (cured in two cases).

Dyspnoea.

Decrease of cardiac vigour; pulse slow, almost imperceptible.

Severe cyanosis, esp. of limbs, chilliness, nausea, epigastric pains, faintness, vertigo.—Trembling from nervous excitement.—Weakness and numbness of whole body, cold perspiration, collapse.

Febrile exanthema; patches profusely scattered on limbs, scanty on trunk; disappearing on pressure, headache, flushed face (from five grains daily).

Incessant yawning; drowsiness.

Chilliness.—Sweating; frequently profuse in low states of the system.