urethane

Urethane (Ethyl carbamate) is is an ethyl ester of carbamic acid, that has been found in many fermented food products and alcoholic beverages such as cheese, bread, yogurt, wine, whiskey, soya sauce etc. An in vitro study indicated that Urethane has a potential to inhibit the growth of bacteria, plant tissue, and rat carcinoma. Urethane has been used for many years as an antineoplastic agent for medical purposes but this application ended after it was discovered to be carcinogenic in 1943. Urethane can produce long-lasting anesthesia without affecting blood gases or blood pressure, it has been used in acute studies. In earlier studies, Urethane was also used as a co-solvent for water-insoluble analgesic and sedative drugs in Japan. By US FDA regulations, ethyl carbamate has been withdrawn from pharmaceutical use. However, small quantities of ethyl carbamate are also used in laboratories as an anesthetic for animals. — NCATS