Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

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Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Brands

DEA Class; Rx, OTC

Common Brand Names; Ascor, Cenolate, Vitamin C

  • B Vitamins; 
  • Vitamins, Water-Soluble

Necessary for collagen formation and tissue repair; plays a role in oxidation/reduction reactions as well as other metabolic pathways including synthesis of catecholamines, carnitine, and steroids; also plays a role in conversion of folic acid to folinic acid

Nutrition

Sources: Citrus fruits, peppers, cabbage, papaya, orange juice, broccoli, guava, carambola, radishes

Function: Required for collagen biosythesis

Deficiency: Scurvy; fatigue, depression, easy bruising & bleeding, weakened cartilage, coiled hairs, difficulty wound healing, thickened skin, abnormal bone growth in infants

Toxicity: Potential for kidney stones, withdrawal from high doses can lead to scurvy, even with “normal” intake

Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums. It helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. It is also essential for wound healing.

Also Indicated for

  • Urinary Acidification
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency (Scurvy)
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (Orphan)
  • Fragile X Syndrome (Orphan)

Hypersensitivity

  • Flushing
  • Flank pain
  • Faintness, headache
  • Diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting
  • Hyperoxaluria (large doses)

Hemolysis has been reported with ascorbic acid in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; discontinue treatment if hemolysis is suspected and treat as needed

Ascorbic acid may interfere with laboratory tests based on oxidation-reduction reactions (eg, blood and urine glucose testing, nitrite and bilirubin levels, and leucocyte count testing); delay laboratory tests until 24 hours after ascorbic acid infusion if possible

Pregnancy

No adverse developmental outcomes are reported in the published literature

There are no available data on use of Ascor in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes

Lactation

There are no data on the presence of ascorbic acid in human milk following IV dosing in lactating women

Ascorbic acid is present in human milk after maternal oral intake

RDA

Males: 90 mg/day

Females: 75 mg/day

Pregnant: 85 mg/day; not to exceed 2000 mg/day (80 mg if <18 years; not to exceed 1800 mg/day)

Nursing: 120 mg/day; not to exceed 2000 mg/day (115 mg if <18 years old; not to exceed 1800 mg/day)

Urinary Acidification

4-12 g/day PO/IV divided three or four times daily

Ascorbic Acid Deficiency (Scurvy)

Oral prevention: See recommended daily intake

Oral treatment: 250 mg PO QID x 1 week

Treatment with IV ascorbic acid

  • Indicated for short term (<1 week) treatment of scurvy in adult and children ≥5 months for whom oral administration is not possible, insufficient, or contraindicated
  • 200 mg IV qDay; recommended daily treatment should not exceed 7 days
  • If no improvement in scorbutic symptoms, retreat until resolution of scorbutic symptoms is observed
  • Also, see Administration

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (Orphan)

Designated orphan indication for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

tablets

  • 100mg
  • 250mg
  • 500mg
  • 1g

chewable, tablet

  • 100mg
  • 250mg
  • 500mg

capsule, extended release

  • 500mg

tablet, extended release

  • 500mg
  • 1000mg
  • 1500mg

crystals

  • 120g
  • 480g

granules

  • 100g
  • 500g
  • 1000g

injectable solution

  • 250mg/mL
  • 500mg/mL

oral solution

  • 100mg/mL

powder effervescent

  • 150g

powder, oral

  • 113mg
  • 120mg
  • 480mg

water, oral

  • 500mg

syrup, oral

  • 100mg/mL
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