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Unit Code 500610:
Salicylate, Serum

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Useful For

Assessing toxicity

Clinical Information

Therapeutic salicylates include, among others, salicylic acid,

sodium salicylate, methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen), and

acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

 

Aspirin is an analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory drug

contained in a large number of preparations. Aspirin is rapidly

hydrolyzed by hepatic and blood esterases to the

pharmacologically active intermediate, salicylic acid, which has

a dose-dependent serum half-life ranging from 3-20 hours.

 

Stimulation of the respiratory center in the central nervous system

and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation are direct effects of

salicylate that lead to many of the toxic symptoms observed in

overdose situations.

 

Symptoms of salicylate toxicity can include nausea, vomiting,

tinnitus, headache, hyperpnea, confusion, hyperthermia, slurred

speech, and convulsions. Acid-base disturbances such as

compensated respiratory alkalosis (mild toxicity) and metabolic

acidosis with increased anion gap (severe toxicity) is

commonplace.

Reference Values

Therapeutic concentration:  2.0-20.0 mg/dL

Toxic concentration:  >= 50.0 mg/dL

Interpretation

Adult therapeutic concentration: 2-20 mg/dL

 

Toxic concentration: > or =50 mg/dL

Cautions

No significant cautionary statements

Clinical Reference

1.   Done, AK:  Aspirin overdosage: incidence, diagnosis, and

      management. Pediatrics 1978;62:890-897

 

2.   Hendeles L, Edwards C:  Clinical assessment of an enzyme

      immunoassay (EMIT) for measurement of serum salicylate.

      Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1988;13;131-138

 

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