What is "ethacridine lactate"

n. (context organic compound English) An aromatic organic compound, 2-ethoxy-6,9-diaminoacridine monolactate monohydrate, based on acridine, used primarily in antiseptics.

Ethacridine lactate (ethacridine monolactate monohydrate, acrinol, trade name Rivanol) is an aromatic organic compound based on acridine. 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%.It is effective against mostly gram-positive species like Streptococci and Staphylococci and ineffective against gram-negative(Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

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.