Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Acoin

Pharmacology, Ophthalmology, Surgery

Also known as: Dianisylphenetylguanidine hydrochloride

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

Acoin is a proprietary name for dianisylphenetylguanidine hydrochloride, a local anesthetic similar in action to cocaine but less toxic. Strong solutions can cause tissue irritation and necrosis, limiting its concentration in ophthalmic and subcutaneous use.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

ACOIN, the proprietary name for dianisylphenetylguanidine hydrochloride, NH=C(NH.C6H4.OCH3)(NH.C6H4.OCH3).HCl, is a powder soluble in 17 parts of cold water; solutions of acoin decompose in the light. Acoin acts as an anesthetic similar to cocaine, but is less toxic. Strong solutions of acoin irritate and necrose tissues, which is why solutions of acoin no stronger than 1% are used for anesthesia in ophthalmology, and no stronger than 0.1% for subcutaneous injection.

Lit.: Trolldenier, Therap. Monatschr., 1899, № 1, p. 34; Therapeutische Neuigkeiten, Deutsch. med. Wochenschr., 1902, № 14.

Cite this page

“Acoin.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/acoin/