Clinical features of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, flushing, sweating, hyperventilation, dehydration, deafness and acid-base and electrolyte disturbances. In more severe cases individuals may be confused, drowsy and comatose. Rarely, renal failure, pulmonary oedema or cardiovascular collapse occur. Severe toxicity may be delayed, as absorption of the drug may be prolonged due to the formation of drug concretions in the stomach. Treatment involves the repeated administration of activated charcoal, monitoring of concentration of aspirin in the blood, and correction of acid-base and electrolyte imbalances. In more severely poisoned patients, enhanced excretion of the drug may be achieved by alkalinising the urine (by intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate.
Toxicity caused by ingesting an excessive amount of aspirin. In acute poisoning, signs vary with increasing doses from mild lethargy and hyperpnea to coma and convulsions. Sweating, dehydration, hyperpnea, hyperthermia, and restlessness may be present with moderate doses. In chronic poisoning, tinnitus, skin rash, bleeding, weight loss, and mental symptoms may be present. Aspirin poisoning in very young infants may produce very few signs and symptoms other than dehydration or hyperpnea.