methacetin

**Methacetin** is a synthetic aromatic ether and member of the acetamide class, structurally related to paracetamol (acetaminophen). It is used primarily as a diagnostic agent in the form of labeled (^13C)-methacetin for the non-invasive assessment of liver function. Methacetin is metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) via O-demethylation to produce acetaminophen and formaldehyde. The latter is further metabolized to CO₂, which can be measured in breath tests. The methacetin breath test is sensitive and non-invasive, and is particularly useful in detecting liver dysfunction, assessing microsomal liver function, and predicting disease progression in chronic liver conditions and cirrhosis[5][7]. Methacetin is not used for direct therapy but exclusively as a diagnostic tool.

Other names

Acetamide, N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-p-acetanisididep-acetanisidinep-methoxyacetanilideaceto-p-anisidideacetyl-p-anisidinemetacetinN-acetyl-p-methoxyaniline4-methoxyacetanilide4'-methoxyacetanilideN-acetyl-p-anisidineaceto-p-anisidineacetanilide, 4'-methoxy-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamideN-(p-methoxyphenyl)acetamide4-(acetylamino)anisoleNSC 4687NSC4687NSC-4687acetanilide, 4-methoxyN-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetic acid amide