Aspirin Overdose

Definition

This is poisoning from taking an excessive amount of aspirin.

Alternative Names

Acetylsalicylic acid overdose; Aspergum overdose; Bufferin overdose; Ecotrin overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Acetylsalicylic acid

Where Found

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) can be found in many prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers, including:

• Alka Seltzer
• Anacin
• Bayer
• Bufferin
• Ecotrin
• Excedrin
• Fiorinal
• Percodan
• St. Joseph's

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Body as a whole
  • Hyperactivity
  • Fever
  • Convulsions
  • Confusion 
  • Collapse
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heart rate
• Respiratory
  • Rapid breathing
  • Stop breathing
  • Wheezing
• Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Deafness
• Gastrointestinal
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dry mouth
  • Bleeding
• Nervous system
  • Dizziness
  • Hallucinations
  • Drowsiness
  • Seizures
  • Coma

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Lab tests may be done to determine how much aspirin is in the blood.

The patient may receive:

• Fluids
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage) 
• Artificial respiration

Expectations (prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on how much aspirin is in the blood. Levels ranging from 150 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg can be dangerous, depending on the person's weight. 

A person is more likely to recover if proper medical treatment is quickly received.