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.

Additional recommended knowledge

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Weighing the right way

Daily Sensitivity Test

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.