The prehospital treatment for an aspirin overdose may include:

In cases of aspirin overdose, the administration of sodium bicarbonate is an essential component of prehospital treatment. Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is a salicylate that can lead to metabolic acidosis when taken in excessive amounts. Sodium bicarbonate works by helping to mitigate the effects of metabolic acidosis, as it acts to alkalinize the blood and potentially enhance the excretion of salicylates through the urine, promoting the elimination of aspirin from the body.

This is particularly important because the urinary pH can influence the ionization and therefore the elimination of salicylate, with higher pH (more alkaline) favoring its excretion. Therefore, sodium bicarbonate can facilitate better outcomes for patients suffering from aspirin toxicity by addressing both the acid-base imbalance and aiding in the increase of salicylate elimination.

Other options, while they may have their own uses in various medical situations, do not address the specific needs of aspirin overdose management as effectively as sodium bicarbonate does. For example, calcium chloride is generally utilized for treating conditions related to calcium deficiency or certain cardiac issues rather than salicylate toxicity. Antipyretics are useful for reducing fever but do not address the toxicological aspects of aspirin