Phenacetin is an analgesic

Analgesic

An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....

, once widely used; its use has declined because of its adverse effects.
Phenacetin was introduced in 1887, and was used principally as an analgesic, and was one of the first synthetic fever reducers to go on the market. It is also known historically to be one of the first non-opioid

Opioid

An opioid is a psychoactive chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central and peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract...

 analgesics without anti-inflammatory properties.
Its analgesic effects are due to its actions on the sensory tracts of the spinal cord.