Aspirin poisoning

Aspirin Poisoning

Aspirin poisoning, also known as aspirin overdose or salicylate toxicity, is a medical condition that occurs when an individual ingests a toxic amount of aspirin, a common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin poisoning can be either acute, resulting from a single large dose, or chronic, due to repeated high doses over time.

Causes

Aspirin poisoning typically occurs when an individual intentionally or accidentally consumes a dose of aspirin much higher than the recommended therapeutic level. In adults, the toxic dose can be more than 300 mg/kg, while in children, even smaller doses can be dangerous due to their lower body weight.

Symptoms

The symptoms of aspirin poisoning can vary depending on the severity of the overdose. Early symptoms often include nausea, vomiting, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and hyperventilation. As the condition progresses, more severe symptoms can develop, such as confusion, drowsiness, seizures, and even coma. Additionally, aspirin overdose can lead to metabolic disturbances, such as respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of aspirin poisoning involves a thorough medical history and physical examination, along with laboratory tests. Blood tests are crucial for measuring the level of salicylate in the blood. Other important tests include blood gases to assess the acid-base status of the patient, electrolyte levels, and kidney function tests.

Treatment

Treatment for aspirin poisoning is aimed at stabilizing the patient, preventing further absorption of aspirin, correcting metabolic abnormalities, and enhancing the elimination of salicylate from the body. Initial treatment may include activated charcoal if the patient presents within a few hours of ingestion. In cases of severe poisoning, alkalinization of urine with intravenous sodium bicarbonate and hemodialysis may be necessary to increase the elimination of salicylate.

Prevention

Prevention of aspirin poisoning involves the safe storage of medications out of the reach of children and the careful adherence to dosing recommendations. It is also important for individuals to communicate with their healthcare providers about all the medications they are taking to avoid potential drug interactions that could increase the risk of toxicity.

See Also

• Poison control center
• Drug overdose
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug