Sodium salicylate overdose

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Sodium salicylate overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of sodium salicylate.

Alternative Names:

Alka-Seltzer; Pepto-Bismol

Poisonous Ingredient:

Salicylate

Where Found:

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:

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:

Contact Poison Control Center for appropriate instructions.

Before Calling Emergency:

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:

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:

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 water baths to control fever.
Give other medications as needed.
Treat complications as necessary.

Expectations (prognosis):

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

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