Analgesic Nephropathy: Removal of Phenacetin from Proprietary Analgesics

Abstract

Since phenacetin was withdrawn from Askit Powders and Beecham’s Powders in 1966 these preparations have declined in importance as a cause of analgesic nephropathy in Western Scotland. In most patients with analgesic nephropathy who persist in abuse of compound analgesics renal function continues to decline. The deterioration, however, is less rapid among those taking aspirin and caffeine mixtures than in those taking preparations which also contain phenacetin. © 1972, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.