Alkaline Diuresis in Treatment of Aspirin Poisoning

Abstract

The rate at which salicylates are removed from the body is augmented by making the urine alkaline (Morris and Graham, 1931). MacPherson, Milne, and Evans (1955) have shown that the production of an alkaline polyuria ensures a rapid removal of salicylate and suggest this as a method of treatment in patients with salicylate intoxication. Such a method has been widely used in children poisoned with salicylates, the serum salicylate level undergoing a 50% reduction in two to five hours without untoward side-effects. These results compare favourably with those obtained with exchange transfusion and haemodialysis (Oliver and Dyer, 1960 ; Whitten, Kesaree, and Goodwin, 1961).