Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) occurs naturally in foods such as citrus fruit, tomatoes, potatoes, and
leafy vegetables. Ascorbic acid is important for bones and connective tissues, muscles, and blood
vessels. Vitamin C also helps the body absorb iron, which is needed for red blood cell production.
Ascorbic acid is used to treat and prevent vitamin C deficiency.
Ascorbic acid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ascorbic acid (vitamin C)?
You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ascorbic
acid.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using ascorbic acid if you have:
kidney disease or a history of kidney stones;
liver disease (especially cirrhosis); or
an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).
It is not known whether ascorbic acid is harmful to an unborn baby.
Some vitamins and minerals can harm an unborn baby if taken in large doses. You may need to use a
prenatal vitamin specially formulated for pregnant women. Do not take ascorbic acid without telling
your doctor if you are pregnant.
Ascorbic acid can pass into breast milk, but it is not known whether it would be harmful to
a nursing baby. Some vitamins and minerals are needed for breast milk production, but some may
harm a nursing baby. Do not take ascorbic acid without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take ascorbic acid (vitamin C)?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not
use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
The recommended dietary allowance of ascorbic acid increases with age, and whether you are
pregnant or breast-feeding. Follow your doctor's instructions. You may also consult the National
Academy of Sciences "Dietary Reference Intake" or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Dietary
Reference Intake" (formerly "Recommended Daily Allowances" or RDA) listings for more information.
Take the ascorbic acid regular
tablet or capsule
with a full glass (8
ounces) of water.
The ascorbic acid
chewable tablet
must be chewed before swallowing.
Ascorbic acid gum may be chewed over a long period and then spit out and thrown away.
Remove the
disintegrating tablet
from the package using dry hands, and
place the tablet in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away. Do not swallow the tablet whole.
Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.
Measure
liquid
medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Dissolve the
powder
form of ascorbic acid in a small amount of water or
other liquid. Follow the directions on the package label about what types of liquid you may use. Stir
the mixture and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water
to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
Store ascorbic acid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ascorbic acid (vitamin C)?
Your pharmacist has information about ascorbic acid (vitamin C) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using ascorbic acid and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such
as:
severe pain in your lower back or side;
blood in your urine;
pain when you urinate;
severe or ongoing diarrhea; or
feeling like you might pass out.
Less serious side effects may include:
heartburn, stomach cramps;
nausea vomiting, diarrhea;
headache, dizziness;
flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin);
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ascorbic acid (vitamin C)?
You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ascorbic
acid.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using ascorbic acid if you have kidney disease or a history of
kidney stones, liver disease (especially cirrhosis), or an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).
It is not known whether ascorbic acid is harmful to an unborn baby or a nursing baby.
Some vitamins and minerals are needed during pregnancy or for breast milk production, but some may
be harmful if taken in large doses. Do not take ascorbic acid without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant or breast-feeding.
Ascorbic acid can be harmful to the kidneys, and this effect is increased when ascorbic acid is
used together with other medicines that can harm the kidneys. Before taking ascorbic acid, tell your
doctor if you are receiving chemotherapy, or using medicines to treat a bowel disorder, medication to
prevent organ transplant rejection, antiviral medications, pain or arthritis medicines, or any injected
antibiotics. You may need dose adjustments or special tests when taking any of these medications
together with ascorbic acid.
Before taking ascorbic acid, tell your doctor about all other medications you take.
Stop using ascorbic acid and call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your lower
back or side, blood in your urine, pain when you urinate, severe or ongoing diarrhea, or feel like you
might pass out.
What should I avoid while taking ascorbic acid (vitamin C)?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Smoking can make ascorbic acid less effective.
What other drugs will affect ascorbic acid (vitamin C)?
Ascorbic acid can be harmful to the kidneys, and this effect is increased when ascorbic acid is
used together with other medicines that can harm the kidneys. Before taking ascorbic acid, tell your
doctor if you are receiving chemotherapy, or using medicines to treat a bowel disorder, medication to
prevent organ transplant rejection, antiviral medications, pain or arthritis medicines, or any injected
antibiotics.
You may need dose adjustments or special tests when taking any of these medications together
with ascorbic acid.
The following drugs can interact with ascorbic acid. Tell your doctor if you are using any of
these:
aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol);
fluphenazine (Permitil);
indinavir (Crixivan);
levodopa (Atamet, Larodopa, Parcopa, Sinemet);
nicotine patches (Nicoderm, Habitrol, Commit);
antacids that contain aluminum (such as Amphojel,
Maalox, Mylanta, Rulox, and others);
an antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin),
doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn,
Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap); or
a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital
(Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton);
birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy,
including Premarin, Estratest, Vivelle, Climara, Estring, Estrace, and others; or
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
ascorbic acid. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009