Antipyrine NEW

Antipyrine (also known as phenazone) is a synthetic pyrazolone derivative with the following key characteristics:

Historical Use: Developed in the 1880s, it was one of the first widely used synthetic analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers).

Mechanism: Acts as a mild non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic, though its exact mechanism is less defined than modern NSAIDs (e.g., it weakly inhibits prostaglandin synthesis).

Current Status: Largely obsolete for systemic use (oral/parenteral) due to:

• Risk of Agranulocytosis: A potentially life-threatening drop in white blood cells.

• Skin Reactions: Risk of rashes and hypersensitivity.

• Availability of Safer Alternatives: Like paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen.

  Modern Applications:

• Otology: A common active ingredient in ear drops (e.g., Auralgan) combined with benzocaine. It reduces inflammation and pain associated with otitis media/externa.

• Research: Used as a marker compound to measure cytochrome P450 enzyme activity in drug metabolism studies (the "antipyrine test").

  Chemistry: White crystalline powder (C₁₁H₁₂N₂O), structurally related to aminophenazone (aminopyrine) and metamizole.

In short: Antipyrine is a historical analgesic/antipyretic now primarily used topically in ear drops for earache and as a research tool in pharmacology. Its systemic use is discontinued due to safety concerns.