Salicylates

Salicylates

Salicylates determination is performed in cases of suspected Poisoning with the drug. The test material can be serum or urine.

Salicylates are derivatives of salicylic acid.

The most popular is acetylsalicylic acid, a drug with the following action:

• anti-inflammatory,
• analgesic,
• antipyretic,

The underlying mechanism of action is inhibition of the activity of the cyclooxygenase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins from lipids of cell membranes. Salicylic acid also has anticoagulant activity anticoagulant by inhibiting the aggregation of platelets.

Drug overdose manifests itself:

• dizziness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• hearing and speech disorders,

Metabolic acidosis may occur later, convulsions, coma, collapse and also renal failure.


Depending on the type of drug taken, salicylates in serum reach their maximum concentration from 30min to even 15h after taking, while in the urine they are excreted within 2-3 days.