This section is from the "A Handbook of Useful Drugs" book, by State Medical Examining and Licensing Boards.
This substance is described in the British Pharmacopeia as phenazonum and in the German Pharmacopeia and some other European pharmacopeias as pyrazolonum phenyldi-methylicum.
Properties : Antipyrin occurs as a colorless, almost odorless, crystalline powder or tabular crystals having a slightly bitter taste. It is very soluble in water and freely soluble in alcohol.
Incompatibilities: Antipyrin is incompatible with spirit of nitrous ether, or other nitrites, tannic acid and tannic-acid containing preparations. Mixed dry with sodium salicylate, it liquefies on standing.
Action and Uses: Antipyrin is an antipyretic and analgesic, acting similarly to acetanilid.
It is used for the relief of pain, chiefly when of a neuralgic character. It is not suited to the treatment of the pain caused by inflammation.
Antipyrin is now seldom used as an antipyretic. Locally, it is used sometimes as a hemostatic. It is a valuable anti-spasmodic for use with children for pertussis, bronchitis, etc. It is dangerous, however, in preparations sold directly to the laity.
Dosage: 0.25 gm. or 4 grains, given with even greater caution than acetanilid and acetphenetidin. It is best administered by itself in simple solution, or in powders, capsules or cachets.
 
Continue to: