Deafness and pancytopenia induced by overdose of aspirin

Abstract

A 69-year-old female patient mistakenly took overdose of aspirin enteric-coated tablets (4.86 g, twice daily) because of memory confusion. After taking 3 times of aspirin overdose, she developed hearing loss. When the medication was taken for the seventh time (the aspirin cumulative dosage was 34.02 g), the medication error was found by her relatives. The medication was discontinued and the patient was taken to the hospital. Hearing tests suggested the sensorineural deafness and laboratory tests revealed pancytopenia. The lowest white blood cell count(WBC) was 1.9×109/L, the lowest red blood cell count(RBC) was 3.0×1012/L, the lowest hemoglobin(Hb) was 99 g/L, and the lowest platelet count(PLT) was 39×109/L. After 18 days of rehydration and symptomatic treatments, her hearing recovered to normal. Laboratory tests showed WBC 8.4×109/L, RBC 3.7×1012/L, Hb 123 g/L, and PLT 113×109/L. Key words: Aspirin; Drug overdose; Medication errors; Hearing loss; Pancytopenia