Effect of brand on the serum level of aspirin

The authors present a case of a four-year-old female, treated with aspirin for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. A generic preparation was given first, but plasma salicylate levels remained significantly below the required therapeutic range. Upon changing to a brand-name product, however, therapeutic levels were achieved after one day. The authors conclude that the source of aspirin used had a marked effect on the serum salicylate level.