Skip to main content

Salicylate Poisoning

Angie Sirsy, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Systemic disorder caused by acute and/or chronic intoxication from salicylate-containing medications including aspirin, bismuth salicylate, oil of wintergreen, topical medications, a...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Clinical presentations of patients with salicylate toxicity range from minor symptoms to a syndrome initially indistinguishable from septic shock. Multiple organ failure, encephalopathy, com...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Manage ABCs; ensure airway protection given the risk of mental status changes, respiratory failure, and acidosis.

    • Maintain high tidal volume and respiratory rate if intubation is re...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Check blood gases and salicylate levels every 1 to 2 hours until two consecutive improvements.

  • Blood glucose, electrolytes, renal function.

  • Psychi...

REFERENCES

1
Gummin DD, Mowry JB, Beuhler MC, et al. 2019 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS): 37th Annual Report. Clin Toxicol. 2020...

CODES

ICD10

  • T39.014A Poisoning by aspirin, undetermined, initial encounter

  • E87.2 Acidosis

  • T39.011A Poisoning by aspirin, accidental (unintentional), init

  • T39.012A Poisoning by aspirin, intentional self-ha...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Consider salicylate toxicity with mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis, especially if an anion gap is present.

  • Activated charcoal within 2 hours (ideally 1 hour) of toxic ...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×