You are hereVitamins » Vitamin C » Supplemental Forms Meet the staff of the Micronutrient Information Center. If you value this website, please help by donating to the MIC. The Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center provides scientific information on the health aspects of dietary factors and supplements, food, and beverages for the general public. The information is made available with the understanding that the author and publisher are not providing medical, psychological, or nutritional counseling services on this site. The information should not be used in place of a consultation with a competent health care or nutrition professional. The information on dietary factors and supplements, food, and beverages contained on this website does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, and interactions. It is not intended as nutritional or medical advice for individual problems. Liability for individual actions or omissions based upon the contents of this site is expressly disclaimed.
You may not copy, modify, distribute, display, transmit, perform, publish or sell any of the copyrightable material on this website. You may hyperlink to this website but must include the following statement: "This link leads to a website provided by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. [Your name] is not affiliated or endorsed by the Linus Pauling Institute or Oregon State University."Avoid if sensitive or allergic to any ingredients present in Vitamin C products. Vitamin C is generally regarded as safe in amounts normally obtained from foods. Vitamin C supplements are also generally regarded as safe in most individuals in recommended amounts. Vitamin C may cause abdominal cramps or pain, chest pain, dental erosion, dizziness, diarrhea, faintness, fatigue, flushing, gut blockage, headache, heartburn, increased risk of lung cancer, increased risk of Parkinson's disease, inflamed esophagus, injection site discomfort, nausea, red blood cell complications, skin tingling or irritation, slowing of endurance training, thickening of blood vessels close to the heart, urinary complications, and vomiting.
High doses of vitamin C have been associated with multiple adverse effects. These include blood clotting, death (heart-related), kidney stones, pro-oxidant effects, problems with the digestive system, and red blood cell destruction. In cases of toxicity due to massive ingestions of vitamin C, forced fluids, and diuresis may be beneficial. Use cautiously in chronic, large doses. Healthy adults who take chronic large doses of vitamin C may experience low blood levels of vitamin C when they stop taking the high doses and resume normal intake. Vitamin C in high doses appears to interfere with the blood-thinning effects of anticoagulants such as warfarin. Caution is advised in people with bleeding disorders or those taking drugs that affect bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. Vitamin C may affect blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in people with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.
Medication adjustments may be necessary. Vitamin C may increase blood pressure. Caution is advised in people with high blood pressure. Use cautiously in people with cancer (e.g. lung), cataracts, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, anemia and related conditions, disorders of the gut, kidney stones, or sickle cell disease. Use cautiously in people after angioplasty and in pregnant women at risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Use cautiously in greater than recommended doses in breastfeeding women. Use cautiously in people taking antibiotics, anticancer agents, HIV medications, barbiturates, estrogens, fluphenazine, or iron supplements. Use injected vitamin C cautiously, especially in high doses, as it may lead to kidney function problems. Use vitamin C tablets cautiously, as dental erosion may occur from chewing vitamin C tablets often. Avoid in people with known allergy or sensitivity to any ingredients in Vitamin C products. Avoid high doses of vitamin C in people with conditions aggravated by increased acid, such as advanced liver disease, gout, a disease where kidneys fail to remove extra acid from the body, or a disease with early breakdown of red blood cells.
Avoid high doses of vitamin C in people with kidney failure or in those taking agents that may damage the kidneys. Vitamin C intake from food is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Use cautiously in greater than recommended doses in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Use vitamin C cautiously in those at risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy.RegisterPatient AccessPatient- MyHealth- Forums- PatientPro| Sign inPatient AccessPatient- MyHealth- Forums- PatientProPatient - Trusted medical information and supportSkip to contentMyHealth | Symptom checker View this article online at http://patient.info/medicine/ascorbic-acid-tabletsAscorbic acid tabletsAscorbic acid is another name for vitamin C.One dose a day of 25-75 mg is sufficient to prevent vitamin C deficiency. Higher doses are sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat a condition called scurvy (although this occurs only rarely in the UK).Some ascorbic acid tablets should be chewed before they are swallowed and others need to be dissolved in water first.
Check the label on the container and follow the directions given.Type of medicineA vitaminUsed forPreventing and treating vitamin C deficiencyAlso calledVitamin CAvailable asTabletsAscorbic acid is also known as vitamin C. Our bodies need vitamin C to make a substance called collagen which is required for the health and repair of our skin, bones, teeth and cartilage. We get vitamin C from the food we eat, particularly fruit and vegetables. A lack of vitamin C in our diet over a period of time can lead to a condition called scurvy, although this is rare in the UK. Symptoms of scurvy include bleeding from the gums, bruising, and joint and muscle pains. It has also been suggested that a lack of vitamin C may cause poor wound healing and problems fighting infection, although this has not been proved. Vitamin C deficiency can be treated with supplements of vitamin C (as ascorbic acid tablets) and eating foods which are rich in vitamin C.Ascorbic acid is an ingredient of a number of vitamin preparations and some cough and cold remedies that are available to buy from retail outlets.
To make sure that this is the right treatment for you, before you start taking ascorbic acid it is important that you speak with your doctor or pharmacist:If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding. This is because, while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.Before you start taking the tablets, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.Ascorbic acid tablets are usually taken once a day. Doses of 25-75 mg are sufficient to prevent vitamin C deficiency. You can take the tablets at whatever time of day you find easiest to remember, either before or after meals. If you have been prescribed a higher dose (more than 250 mg), your doctor will recommend that you take this in divided doses. Your dose will be on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said to you.Do not take more than the dose which has been recommended or prescribed.
Check the label on the container of your supply and follow the directions given.If you forget to take a dose, don't worry, just take the next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.Foods that are rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits (like oranges, grapefruit, limes and lemons), berries (such as blackcurrants, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cranberries), cantaloupe melon, watermelon and kiwi fruit. Vegetables rich in vitamin C include spinach, green and red peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and potatoes. Try to include some of these fruits and vegetables regularly in the foods that you eat.Although ascorbic acid is unlikely to cause any side-effects at the recommended doses, large doses taken over a long period of time can be associated with unwanted effects (mainly stomach upset). If you experience any symptoms which you think may be due to the medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.