Vitamin C is a nutrient also known as ascorbic acid.Historically, doctors prescribed vitamin C (or vitamin C-rich foods) to treat scurvy, a medical condition caused by extremely low levels of ascorbic acid.Today, doctors may prescribe ascorbic acid to make the urine more acidic or to treat methemoglobinemia, a condition in which the blood can't carry enough oxygen.Vitamin C plays an important role in the growth and repair of tissue in all parts of your body. The nutrient has been shown to:Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which means it can help block the damaging effects of free radicals, which the body makes as it breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation. Free radicals have long been associated with the aging process, and they have been shown to play a role in the development of cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.Some studies suggest that vitamin C may be an effective remedy for the common cold.In general, people who take vitamin C supplements may have slightly shorter periods of cold symptoms, or somewhat milder symptoms.
However, taking a vitamin C supplement after a cold starts does not appear to have as positive an effect. Indeed, research indicates that vitamin C supplements or vitamin C-rich foods do nothing to reduce your risk of getting the common cold.Vitamin C is sometimes used as a skin-care product.It may have regenerative effects on skin wrinkles, texture, strength, and evenness of tone, allegedly due to its properties as an antioxidant. Available vitamin C products on the skin care market vary by their pH (acidity) and formulation, ranging from serums and creams to powders.Some suntan lotions or oils also include vitamin C as an ingredient, in part due to its benefits for skin health.Various anecdotal reports have linked vitamin C use with miscarriage as well as self-induced abortion (termination of pregnancy).These reports, however, have not been substantiated by medical research, and attempts to use vitamin C to intentionally terminate a pregnancy may be dangerous.As the body can not make or store vitamin C, it’s important to have a diet of foods rich in vitamin C, such as:• Cantaloupe • Citrus fruits and juices • Kiwi • Mango • Papaya • Pineapple • Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries • Watermelon • Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower • Green/red peppers • Spinach, cabbage, turnip greens, and other leafy greens • Sweet/white potatoes • Tomatoes/tomato juice • Winter squashAll fruits and vegetables contain some vitamin C
, but those listed contain the most. Cereals and other foods and beverages are often fortified with vitamin C, meaning vitamin C has been added to the ingredients.Uncooked or raw fruits and vegetables provide the best food sources of vitamin C.Cooking vitamin C-rich foods or storing them for a long period of time can reduce their vitamin C content. Microwaving and steaming vitamin C-rich foods may reduce some of these losses. Vitamin C deficiency can cause symptoms such as:• Anemia • Bleeding gums/nosebleeds • Decreased ability to fight infection and wound-healing • Dry, splitting hair • Rough, dry, scaly skin • Bruising • Inflammation of the gums • Weakened tooth enamel • Weight gain • Swollen and painful jointsA severe form of vitamin C deficiency known as scurvy mainly affects older, malnourished adults.You should not take vitamin C if:High doses of vitamin C increase the risk of a rare condition known as hyperoxaluria.
Hyperoxaluria is a serious health problem in which too much oxalic acid is excreted in the urine, increasing your risk of kidney stones.If you're taking vitamin C in the amount recommended as a dietary supplement, then the vitamin is highly unlikely to cause birth defects, so it's safe for a pregnant woman to take.However, in high doses the vitamin may have harmful effects on a fetus, even though the effects of high doses in pregnant women have not been well studied.Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking vitamin C supplements.Vitamin C is considered safe to take while breastfeeding, but you should tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed before taking it. Generic Name: vitamin E (VYE ta min E)Brand Names: Aqua-E, Aquasol E, Aquavite-E, Aqueous Vitamin E, E-400 Clear Vitamin E is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in foods such as nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin important for many processes in the body.
Vitamin E is used to treat or prevent vitamin E deficiency. People with certain diseases may need extra vitamin E. Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use. Cystic Fibrosis: Living With The Octopus Inside Your Chest Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use vitamin E if you have other medical conditions, especially: anemia (low red blood cells); a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia; an eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa; high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood); a history of stroke or blood clot; if you need surgery, or have recently had surgery. FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether vitamin E will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
It is not known whether vitamin E passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing. Use vitamin E products exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Vitamin E works best if you take it with food. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Artificially sweetened liquid medicine may contain phenylalanine. Check the medication label if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin E increases with age. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. You may also consult the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Database (formerly "Recommended Daily Allowances") listings for more information.
If you need surgery or a medical procedure, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using vitamin E. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. See also: Dosage Information (in more detail) Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, tiredness, blurred vision, or tiredness. Avoid taking other vitamins, mineral supplements, or nutritional products without your doctor's advice. If you also take orlistat (alli, Xenical), do not take it within 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take vitamin E. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to vitamin E: hives;
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking vitamin E and call your doctor at once if you have: headache, dizziness, vision changes; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; unusual weakness or tired feeling; easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums). Common vitamin E side effects may include: 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. See also: Side effects (in more detail) Usual Adult Dose for Vitamin E Deficiency: Treatment: 60 to 75 units orally once daily. Prevention: 30 units orally once daily. Usual Adult Dose for Tardive Dyskinesia: 600 to 1600 units orally per day. Usual Adult Dose for Sickle Cell Anemia: 450 units orally per day. Usual Adult Dose for Alzheimer's Disease: 1000 units orally twice daily. Usual Adult Dose for Dietary Supplement:
Oral liquid formulation (AQUA-E): 200 units (10 mL) orally once daily. Usual Pediatric Dose for Vitamin E Deficiency: 1 unit/kg/day orally of water-miscible vitamin E. Usual Pediatric Dose for Retinopathy Prophylaxis: Prevention of retinopathy of prematurity or Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) secondary to oxygen therapy: 15 to 30 units/kg/day to maintain plasma levels between 1.5 to 2 mcg/mL (may need as high as 100 units/kg/day). Note: AAP considers this use investigational and routine use is not recommended. Usual Pediatric Dose for Cystic Fibrosis: 100 to 400 units/day orally. Usual Pediatric Dose for Dietary Supplement: Dosing: 1 unit vitamin E = 1 mg dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate. 1 to less than 6 months: 4 units daily 6 to less than 12 months: 5 units daily Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA): 1 to 3 years: 6 units daily 4 to 8 years: 7 units daily 9 to 13 years: 11 units daily 13 years and Older: 15 units daily
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment, especially: This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with vitamin E, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this product only for the indication prescribed. Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.