Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Category:

• Vitamin

Description:

• Dietary supplement; water-soluble vitamin

Indications:

• Vitamin C deficiency

• necessary for collagen and dentin formation and tissue repair

• Scurvy treatment and prophylaxis

• Antioxidant

• Urine acidifier (at high doses >2 grams per day)

• Idiopathic methemoglobinemia (150mg per day)

Contraindications:

• No significant contraindications.

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C

• Excessive vitamin C doses may should not be adminstered to patients with diabetes, prone to renal calculi, undergoing stool occult blood tests, sodium restrictive diets or on anticoagulants.

• High dose administration to pregnant women may cause the fetus to become “sensitized” to the levels and may experience “withdrawa” after delivery.

• Some products contain tartrazine and/or sulfite, use in caution in patients who are sensitive to these agents.

• Ascorbic acid increases serum levels of estrogens, use caution in patients receiving estrogen replacement therapy or oral contraceptives.

• Ascorbic acid may reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.

• Large dose of vitamin C (>500mg) may cause false-positive urine glucose determinations.

• Do not administer vitamin C within 48-72 hours of an stool occult blood test due to false negatives.

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• Relatively non-toxic in therapeutic doses

• Large dose may cause diarrhea and precipitation of renal stones.

• Transient mild soreness may occur at IM or SQ injection site.

• Too rapid of IV administration may cause temporary faintness or dizziness.

Dosage:

• Dietary sources: citric juices, fresh vegetables and fruit, potatoes

• Administered orally or IV

• Dietary supplementation (RDA: recommended daily allowance):

  • Adults: 60mg per day

• Scurvy: 100-300mg per day over several days will reverse scurvy effects

• Infants:

  • preventive: 30mg per day

  • treatment: 100-300mg per day

  • Premature infants: 75-100mg per day

• Enhanced wound healing: 300-500mg per day for 7-10 days pre- and post-operatively

• Burn patients: 1-2 grams per day