Ethacridine lactate

Ethacridine lactate is an aromatic organic compound based on acridine. Synonyms include acrinol, rivanol and ethacridine monolactate monohydrate. Its formal name is 2-ethoxy-6,9-diaminoacridine monolactate monohydrate. It forms orange-yellow crystals with a melting point of 226 °C and it has a stinging smell.

Its primary use is as an antiseptic in solutions of 0.1%.

Ethacridine is also used as an agent for second trimester abortion. Up to 150 ml of a 0.1% solution is instilled extra-amniotically using a foley catheter. After 20 to 40 hours, 'mini labor' ensues. In China, an intra-amniotic method has also been used. Ethacridine as an abortifacient is found to be safer and better tolerated than 20% hypertonic saline.

References

* "Obstetrics & Gynecology" 1983;61:733-736
* Merck Index, 11th Ed., 3668.

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