In: Anatomy and Physiology
What is the importance of the ferric chloride test? What are potential side-effects of expired aspirin?
The ferric chloride test is used to determine the presence of phenols in the given sample, compounds with phenol will form violet color when reacted with ferric chloride. This test can be used to detect salicylates in urine, since Asprin chemically is acetyl salicylic acid, presence of salicylates in urine indicate asprin poisoning.
Phenylketonuria is a rare inherited disorder that causes an amino acid called phenylalanine to build up in the body. Build up of phenylketonuria can be very dangerous and can serious health problems, so the Ferric chloride test can used to screen for phenylketonuria.
Most of the prescription and non prescription drugs in solid form are safe to use for 5 to 10 years after expiry, with the exception of drugs like insulin and antibiotics like tetracyclines, however there are chances that their potency might reduce afte rthe expiry date. But some time if Asprin is stored for long time it can break into salicylic acid, which is chemicaly simlar to asprin but not as effective as asprin.