Causes and Risks:

• aspirin
• sodium bicarbonate

Where Found: aspirin

• aspirin
• some cough and cold preparations including Alka-Seltzer Plus cough and cold medicine
• any antacid containing salicylates

• baking soda
• some antacids including Alka-Seltzer

Symptoms: aspirin

• body as a whole
  • hyperactivity
  • fever
  • convulsions
  • excessive sweating
  • collapse
• respiratory
  • rapid breathing
  • stop breathing
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • ringing in the ears
• gastrointestinal
  • nausea and vomiting
• nervous system
  • dizziness
  • hallucinations

• body as a whole
  • muscle spasms
  • convulsions
  • muscle weakness
  • frequent urination
• gastrointestinal
  • constipation
  • bloating
• nervous system
  • irritability

Home Treatment: DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS unless instructed to do so by Poison Control. Dilute with milk or water.

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

Call Poison Control: 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: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• give fluids
• treat the symptoms
• Use gastric lavage
• administer activated charcoal
• administer a laxative
• take a blood sample to determine the salicylate level in blood and arterial blood gasses
• administer fluids (milk, fruit juices or, in severe cases, IV fluids)
• sponge water baths to control fever
• give other medications as needed
• treat complications as necessary

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the blood level of salicylates found. A potentially toxic dose is seen above 150 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg (mg of aspirin/kg body weight). Recovery is likely if the proper treatment is instituted.