Early Symptoms of Aspirin Overdose
Mild to moderate overdoses often start within 2-4 hours, causing tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, rapid breathing, and confusion. These stem from aspirin's effects on the central nervous system and acid-base balance, leading to respiratory alkalosis.[1][2]
Severe Symptoms and Complications
Higher doses trigger hyperventilation, fever, dehydration, low blood sugar, seizures, hallucinations, coma, and organ failure like kidney or lung damage. Metabolic acidosis develops later, worsening breathing and heart rhythm issues. Untreated, it can cause pulmonary edema or death.[1][3]
Symptoms in Children
Kids show irritability, lethargy, hyperpnea (deep rapid breathing), dehydration, and seizures more prominently. They metabolize aspirin differently, risking Reye's syndrome-like effects with liver involvement.[2][4]
What Happens If Untreated?
Progression leads to multi-organ failure: cerebral edema, cardiac arrest, or bleeding from salicylate interference with clotting. Blood salicylate levels over 30 mg/dL confirm severe toxicity; levels above 100 mg/dL are often fatal without intervention.[1][3]
Diagnosis and Overdose Thresholds
Symptoms alone prompt testing; acute lethal dose is 200-500 mg/kg for adults (about 14-35 grams for 70kg person). Chronic overdose from repeated use mimics flu-like illness.[2][5]
Sources
[1] CDC: Aspirin Poisoning
[2] MedlinePlus: Salicylate Poisoning
[3] UpToDate: Salicylate Poisoning
[4] AAP: Aspirin Use in Children
[5] Poison Control: Aspirin