Indications
Ascorbic acid is the chemical name of vitamin C. It is used to:
- Prevent and treat vitamin C deficiency and scurvy (bleeding gums, easy bruising, tiredness and poor wound healing).
- Meet higher needs during infection, after surgery, burns or injury, and in smokers.
- Help the body absorb iron when given with iron preparations.
How It Works
Ascorbic acid helps the body make collagen, which keeps skin, gums, blood vessels and bones strong and helps wounds heal. It also acts as an antioxidant, supports immune defences and improves iron absorption from the gut.
Dosage and Administration
- Adults, supplement or mild deficiency: usually 100 to 500 mg a day.
- Scurvy and higher treatment doses: as prescribed.
- Children: as prescribed.
- Injectable forms are given by a doctor or nurse.
Take with or after food to reduce stomach upset. Chew chewable tablets; dissolve effervescent tablets completely in water before drinking.
Interactions
- Raises iron absorption, which helps in anaemia but should be avoided in iron overload.
- Raises aluminium absorption from aluminium-containing antacids.
- Large doses can give false results in some blood and urine sugar tests.
- Large doses may weaken the effect of Warfarin in some people.
Contraindications
- Allergy to ascorbic acid or any ingredient of the product.
- High doses are not suitable for people with oxalate kidney stones, iron overload or severe kidney disease.
Side Effects
Normal doses rarely cause problems. More than about 1 g a day can cause heartburn, nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhoea, and long-term high doses may lead to kidney stones. Get urgent medical help if you have severe pain in the side or back, blood in the urine, or a serious allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or difficulty breathing.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Safe at normal recommended doses during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Use high doses only on medical advice.
Precautions and Warnings
Avoid very high doses if you have G6PD deficiency. Do not exceed the recommended dose for long periods without medical advice. Check the label of chewable tablets for sugar or sweeteners if you have diabetes or phenylketonuria.
Overdose
Taking too much usually causes diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps that improve after stopping. Seek medical advice if a large amount has been taken, especially by a child or a person with kidney disease.
Therapeutic Class
Vitamin C (water-soluble vitamin).
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Keep effervescent tablets tightly closed.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.