Sodium salicylate overdose

• Alternative names
• Definition
• Poisonous Ingredient
• Where Found
• Symptoms

• Home Treatment
• Before Calling Emergency
• Poison Control, or a local emergency number
• What to expect at the emergency room
• Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

Sodium salicylate overdose is poisoning from an overdose of sodium salicylate.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

Salicylate

Where Found    Return to top

• Aspirin and other fever and pain medications
• Antacids like Alka-Seltzer
• Anti-diarrhea agents like Pepto-Bismol
• Oil of wintergreen
• Corn and wart removal liquids

Symptoms    Return to top

• Body as a whole
  • Convulsions
  • Collapse
  • Fever
• Respiratory
  • Wheezing
  • Respiratory depression
• Cardiovascular
  • Low blood pressure
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Nystagmus
  • Ringing in the ears
• Gastrointestinal
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Nervous system
  • Dizziness
  • Seizures
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Lack of desire to do anything

Home Treatment    Return to top

Contact your Poison Control center for appropriate instructions.

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number    Return to top

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room    Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed.

• Administer activated charcoal.
• Take a blood sample to determine the salicylate level in the blood.
• Administer fluids (milk, fruit juices or, in severe cases, intravenous fluids).
• Give sponge baths to control fever.
• Give other medications as needed.
• Treat complications as necessary.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the blood level of salicylates found: A potentially toxic dose is seen above 200В - 500 mg/kg (milligrams of salicylate per kilogram body weight). Recovery is likely if the acidic effect of salicylate can be neutralized.