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- Aspirin is a common over-the-counter pain/fever reducer. Aspirin is also found in combination with some over-the-counter and prescription medications, such as Excedrin, Anacin, Fiorinal, and
Percodan.
- Aspirin taken at higher-than-recommended doses can cause severe toxicity. At a biochemical level, aspirin interferes with the normal energy-producing pathways (aerobic metabolism). This results in the body using a different pathway (anaerobic metabolism) -- creating excessive Lactic acid and heat.
- Aspirin also causes inflammation of the stomach lining and Gastritis or bleeding
ulcers. Aspirin overdose can occur by taking a large amount
at one time, or by taking lower doses over a continuous
period.
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- Nausea/vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Heart racing
- Ringing in ears
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Coma
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- Accidental overuse
- Taking products you did not know
contained aspirin (see above)
- Suicide
attempts
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- Fever
- Fast heart rate
- Rapid deep breathing
- Crackles in lungs (if Pulmonary Edema)
- Mental status changes
- Arterial blood gas is abnormal
- Prothrombin time (a
measure of clotting ability) is elevated (therefore blood
is "thinner" and more likely to result in bleeding)
- Elevated Anion Gap (abnormal
blood
chemistries)
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- Gastric lavage ("stomach pumped")
- Activated charcoal -- binds aspirin
so it cannot be absorbed
- Intravenous Sodium Bicarbonate for
metabolic acidosis
- Alkalinize the urine
- Hemodialysis (kidney machine used
temporarily) in severe
cases
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- You need immediate emergency
medical treatment. Aspirin overdose is very serious and can
cause death.
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- Acetaminophen (Tylenol overdose)
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