Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C Oral Powder (GRAM); Oral Tablet; Oral Tablet, Extended Release

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Ascorbic acid is the functional and principal in vivo form of vitamin C, an essential water-soluble vitamin.

USES: Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is used to prevent or treat low levels of vitamin C in people who do not get enough of the vitamin from their diets. Most people who eat a normal diet do not need extra ascorbic acid. Low levels of vitamin C can result in a condition called scurvy.

Scurvy may cause symptoms such as rash, muscle weakness, joint pain, tiredness, or tooth loss. Vitamin C plays an important role in the body. It is needed to maintain the health of skin, cartilage, teeth, bone, and blood vessels.

It is also used to protect your body's cells from damage. It is known as an antioxidant.

Generic name: ascorbic acid
Pronunciation: (as-KORE-bik AS-id)
Drug class: Vitamin C
Therapeutic class: Electrolyte Balance-Nutritional Products

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

Today’s intelligence on Vitamin C

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Vitamin C:

  • Vitamin C Deficiency

Also known as: Ascorbic Acid Deficiency, Scurvy.

Dosing

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Drug interactions

Concurrent administration of more than 200 mg of ascorbic acid per 30 mg of elemental iron increases absorption of iron from the GI tract; however, most individuals are able to absorb orally ingested iron adequately without concurrent administration of ascorbic acid.

Increased urinary excretion of ascorbic acid and decreased excretion of aspirin occur when the drugs are administered concurrently.

Salicylates inhibit uptake of ascorbic acid by leukocytes and platelets. As a result, leukocyte and plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid are decreased to concentrations slightly higher than those associated with tissue depletion of the vitamin; however, there is no evidence to date that salicylate therapy precipitates ascorbic acid deficiency. Although concomitant administration of ascorbic acid supplements in patients receiving salicylates increases plasma ascorbic acid concentrations, leukocyte ascorbic acid concentrations are not increased and tissue stores of the vitamin may not be increased. Therefore, routine administration of ascorbic acid supplements to patients receiving salicylates is not warranted; however, patients receiving high dosages of salicylates who exhibit any signs or symptoms of ascorbic acid deficiency should be evaluated for such a deficiency.

Ascorbic acid has reportedly decreased the anticoagulant effect of warfarin; however, other investigators have failed to show this effect. Concurrent administration of ascorbic acid and fluphenazine reportedly resulted in decreased fluphenazine plasma concentration. Acidification of the urine following administration of ascorbic acid may result in altered excretion of other drugs.

Contraindications

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Adverse reactions

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Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Vitamin C deficiency
E54ICD10CMAscorbic acid deficiency

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data