Symptoms may include ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, and rapid breathing.
The diagnosis is based on blood tests and the person's symptoms.
Treatment involves giving activated charcoal by mouth or stomach tube, giving fluids and bicarbonate by vein, and, for severe poisoning, undergoing hemodialysis.
(See also Overview of Poisoning.)
Acute aspirin poisoning
aspirin
Gradual aspirin poisoning
aspirin for a long time. Children with fever who are given only slightly higher than the prescribed dose of aspirin for several days may develop poisoning, although children are rarely given aspirin to treat fever because they could develop Reye syndrome. None of the over-the-counter cough and cold preparations sold in the United States for children contains aspirin
Adults, many of them older, can develop poisoning gradually after several weeks of use.
coronary artery disease to reduce the risk of heart attack (1 baby aspirin, ½ of an adult aspirin, or 1 full adult aspirin daily) is too small to cause aspirin poisoning even when taken for a long time.
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Poisoning with salicylates other than aspirin
aspirin. This amount can be fatal to young children .
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In the first symptoms are usually
Nausea and vomiting
Rapid or deep breathing
Ringing in the ears
Sweating
Later, if poisoning is severe, the person can develop light-headedness, fever, drowsiness, hyperactivity, confusion, seizures, destroyed muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis), kidney failure, and difficulty breathing.
In symptoms develop over days or weeks. The most common symptoms are
Drowsiness
Subtle confusion
Hallucinations
Light-headedness, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, fever, dehydration, low blood pressure, a low oxygen level in the blood (hypoxia), a buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis), fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), seizures, and brain swelling can develop.
Blood tests
A blood sample is taken to measure the precise level of aspirin in the blood. Measurement of the blood pH (amount of acid in the blood) and the level of carbon dioxide or bicarbonate in the blood also can help doctors determine the severity of poisoning. Tests are usually repeated several times during treatment to reveal whether the person is recovering.
Activated charcoal
Sometimes hemodialysis
Activated charcoal is given as soon as possible and reduces aspirinaspirin from the bloodstream into the urine. If the person’s condition is worsening despite other treatments, hemodialysis (which uses an artificial kidney [dialyzer] to filter the poisons) can remove aspirin, other salicylates, and acids from the blood. Other symptoms such as fever or seizures are treated as necessary.
More Information
The following is an English-language resource that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
American Association of Poison Control Centers: Represents the US-based poison centers that provide free, confidential services (24/7) through the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222)
