Role of the kidney and urinary pH in aspirin poisoning - Research Paper Example

Role of the kidney and urinary pH in aspirin poisoning Also known as acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin is a mild nonnarcotic analgesic useful for the relief of headache and muscle and joint aches. It is also an effective drug for the relief of fever, inflammation, and swelling and consequently it has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, and mild infection (Marx, 2006). Aspirin functions by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, body chemicals that are necessary for blood clotting and are noted for sensitizing nerve endings to pain (Marx, 2006).

Due to its ability to inhibit the coagulation of blood it has also been used as an anticoagulant in the treatment of such conditions as unstable angina or following a minor stroke or heart attack. Long-term use of low dose of aspirin is reported to lower the risk of colon cancer in some persons and is associated with a reduced risk of death from several types of cancer, including certain forms of colon cancer as well as lung cancer and esophageal cancer (Marx, 2006). Intake of over dose of aspirin, known as aspirin poisoning, leads to severe side effects such as mild nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, dizziness, cerebral edema or even death (Marx, 2006).

Aspirin is absorbed rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract when administered as a solution but more slowly when taken as a tablet. While in the body, it is hydrolyzed to salicylic acid. The plasma concentration of salicylic acid must be maintained within a relatively narrow range to obtain the required anti-inflammatory effect and to minimize systemic side effects. The pathways of salicylate (salt of salicylic acid) removal from the body become saturated at low levels of the aspirin intake. Thus the plasma concentration of salicylate increase significantly with increasing daily dose of aspirin and the time required to bring the concentration down also increase.

The removal of salicylate by the kidney increases markedly with increasing urine pH (Marx, 2006). Thus increasing the urine pH by taking antacids or sodium bicarbonate can therefore induce kidney clearance of salicylic thereby lowering the plasma concentration of salicylate under clinical conditions. Usually, the antacids or sodium bicarbonate is given until the urine pH is between 7.5 and 8.0 (Marx, 2006). Works Cited Marx, J. (2006). Rosen's emergency medicine: concepts and clinical practice.

New York: Mosby/Elsevier.