Phenylacetic acid

Toxicity

Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 2250 mg/kg [Mouse].

The Uses of Phenylacetic acid

Phenylacetic Acid is used in the synthesis of Diclofenac (D436450) and its metabolite 4'-Hydroxydiclofenac (H825225), which is the principal human metabolite of Diclofenac.

Background

Phenylacetic acid is an organic compound containing a phenyl functional group and a carboxylic acid functional group. It is a white solid with a disagreeable odor. Because it is used in the illicit production of phenylacetone (used in the manufacture of substituted amphetamines), it is subject to controls in countries including the United States and China.

Indications

For use as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia and associated encephalopathy in patients with deficiencies in enzymes of the urea cycle.

Metabolism

Phenylacetate esterases found in the human liver cytosol. Human plasma esterase also hydrolyze phenylacetate. Phenylacetate hydrolysis involved arylesterase in plasma, both arylesterase and carboxylesterase in liver microsomes and carboxylesterase in liver cytosol. Plasma hydrolysis is less important and overall esterase activity is lower in humans than in the rat.