Objective To investigate the effect of premixed sodium salicylate(NaSAL) solution on the survival and lung injury in rats after acute paraquat(PQ) intoxication. Methods A total of 59 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups as follows: normal control group(normal saline, n＝6), NaSAL control group(n＝6), 2 PQ groups and 2 pre-mixed PQ＋NaSAL groups. In PQ groups, rats were injected intraperitoneally with PQ of 25mg/kg (n＝11) or 35mg/kg(n＝12), and then, with 0.9% NaCl at 2h later. Pre-mixed PQ＋NaSAL groups were divided into pre-mixed 25mg/kg PQ and 200mg/kg NaSAL, (n＝12), and pre-mixed 35mg/kg PQ and 300mg/kg NaSAL(n＝12). In NaSAL control group, rats were administered with 0.9% NaCl solution, and then dosed with 300mg/kg NaSAL at 2h later. All groups were observed daily for survival rate and poisoning symptoms over a period of at least 28d. Lung tissues were collected from rats died in the acute stage and those survived over 28d, and then observed with HE and Masson staining for pathological changes. Results The survival rates were 36% and 50% respectively in the 25mg/kg PQ group and 35mg/kg PQ group, and 33% and 50% respectively in the two premixed groups respectively. No significant difference was observed in the 28-day survival rates between PQ groups and pre-mixed PQ＋NaSAL groups(P＞0.05). Pathological observation showed that the rats exposed to PQ showed apparent lung changes at day 4 (acute stage), including inflammatory cells infiltration into alveoli and alveolar septum, alveolar hemorrhage and effusion at the acute stage, and proliferation and accumulation of fibrotic tissues at the late stage. There was no significant difference in pathological changes between the PQ groups and pre-mixed PQ＋NaSAL groups. Conclusions Pre-mixed PQ with NaSAL shows no significant protective effect on rat lung injury induced by PQ intoxication. A pre-mixed PQ and NaSAL solution doesn’t counteract the toxic effect of PQ.