Salicylate Accumulation Kinetics in Man

Abstract

Abstract The plateau level of salicylate in the body attained by repetitive administration of fixed doses of aspirin or sodium salicylate at constant intervals increases more than proportionately with increasing dosages. The time required to attain the plateau increases with increasing dose. These unusual accumulation characteristics account for the pronounced effects of relatively small changes in maintenance dosage on salicylate concentrations in body fluids and on the pharmacologic effects of this drug. It is thus important to make upward adjustments of dosage cautiously, allowing sufficient time for body levels to reach the new steady state before the dosage is increased still further.