Aspirin overdose

Question 1

What is the compound in aspirin which causes overdose?

Answer 1

Salicylates

Question 2

Features of salicylate overdose?

Answer 2

• N/V
• Tinnitus, Deafness
• Stimulation of respiratory centre causes respiratory alkalosis
• Peripheral vasodilation with bounding pulses

Question 3

Symptoms of serious poisoning from salicylates?

Answer 3

• Metabolic acidosis
• Hyperglcyaemia
• Fever
• Renal failure
• Pulmonary and cerebral oedema

Question 4

What enhances poisoning from salicylates?

Answer 4

• Toxicity enhaced by acidosis
• Increases salicylate transfer across the blood-brain barrier

Question 5

Describe the mangement of salicylate poisoning?

Answer 5

• If patients present within 1 hour
  
  • Activated charcoal .
• Monitor plasma salicylate levels as concentrations may continue to rise for several hours
• Treat metabolic acidosis with IV sodium bicarbonate
• Haemodialysis is effect for removed salicylate and correcting acid-base and fluid balance