phenacetin
- n a white crystalline compound used as an analgesic and also as an antipyretic
- First of the currently popular analgesics to be questioned was phenacetin, the "P" in APC tablets (aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine).
- The usual culprit: a mixture of aspirin and either phenacetin or acetaminophen, ingredients found in many well-known painkillers as well as the APC (aspirin-phenacetin-caffeine .
- Caffeine, whether in coffee, tea or APC tablets (aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine), taken for a cold, definitely has a stimulating and sleep-postponing effect on a majority of people.