Abstract

Phenacetin (or acetophenetidin), alone and in combination with other drugs, has been used liberally as an analgesic and antipyretic since its introduction into medical prectice in 1887, and has generally been considered a relatively safe drug (P. K. Smith, Acetophenetidin, Interscience Publishers, 1958). Questions about its safety are, however, being raised with increasing frequency, most recently in Australia where there has been widespread alarm (Sunday Times, August 26 1962; Med. J. Aust. 1962, 2, 531, 539, 685).