The fate of acetanilide in man.

The route of metabolism of acetanilide in man was shown to be as follows: a minor fraction of the drug deacetylates to form aniline; this compound was shown to be the precursor of the substance which oxidizes hemoglobin to methemoglobin; the major fraction of the drug is oxidized to N-acetyl p-aminophenol; this compound is excreted in a conjugated form. The analgesic action of acetanilide is exerted mainly through N-acetyl p-aminophenol which is an active analgesic. The oxidation of acetanilide occurs mainly in the liver.