Vitamin C

Vitamin C Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

vitamin C, the water-soluble vitamin, is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is widely distributed in the body tissues. It is believed to be involved in biological oxidations and reductions used in cellular respiration. It is essential for the synthesis of collagen and intracellular material. Vitamin C deficiency develops when the dietary intake is inadequate and when increased demand is not fulfilled. Deficiency leads to the development of well defined syndrome known as scurvy, which is characterized by capillary fragility, bleeding (especially from small blood vessels and the gums), anaemia, cartilage and bone lesions and slow healing of wounds.

Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) is a water-soluble vitamin indicated for the prevention and treatment of scurvy, as ascorbic acid deficiency results in scurvy. Collagenous structures are primarily affected, and lesions develop in bones and blood vessels. Administration of ascorbic acid completely reverses the symptoms of ascorbic acid deficiency.

Trade Name Vitamin C
Generic Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid Other Names acide ascorbique, ácido ascórbico, Acidum ascorbicum, acidum ascorbinicum, Ascorbate, Ascorbic acid, Ascorbinsäure, Vitamin C, Vitamina C
Weight 100mg, 500mg, , 100mg/5ml
Type Injection, Chewable Tablet, Tablet, Oral Capsule, Oral Gum, Oral Liquid, Oral Tablet, Chewable, Disintegrating, Extended Release, Oral, Oral Oil, Oral Solution, Dispersible, Sublingual Tablet, For Animal Use Only, Syrup
Formula C6H8O6
Weight Average: 176.1241
Monoisotopic: 176.032087988
Protein binding

25%

Groups Approved, Nutraceutical
Therapeutic Class Vitamin-C Preparations
Manufacturer Mankind Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Jackson Laboratories (p) Ltd, Jawa Pharmaceuticals(pvt) Ltd, , Chemo Pharma Laboratories Ltd, Juhel Nigeria Limited, Pal Pharmaceutical Ind Ltd
Available Country India, Pakistan, United States, Nigeria
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Vitamin C
Vitamin C

Uses

Vitamin C is used for prevention and treatment of scurvy. It may be used for pregnancy, lactation, infection, trauma, burns, cold exposure, following surgery, fever, stress, peptic ulcer, cancer, methaemoglobinaemia and in infants receiving unfortified formulas. It is also prescribed for haematuria, dental caries, pyorrhea, acne, infertility, atherosclerosis, fractures, leg ulcers, hay fever, vascular thrombosis prevention, levodopa toxicity, succinyl-choline toxicity, arsenic toxicity etc. To reduce the risk of stroke in the elderly, long-term supplementation with Vitamin C is essential.

Vitamin C is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Common Cold, Deficiency, Vitamin A, Deficiency, Vitamin D, Fever, Flu caused by Influenza, Folate deficiency, Iron Deficiency (ID), Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), Oral bacterial infection, Scurvy, Vitamin C Deficiency, Vitamin Deficiency, Nutritional supplementation, Vitamin supplementation

How Vitamin C works

In humans, an exogenous source of ascorbic acid is required for collagen formation and tissue repair by acting as a cofactor in the posttranslational formation of 4-hydroxyproline in -Xaa-Pro-Gly- sequences in collagens and other proteins. Vitamin C is reversibly oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid in the body. These two forms of the vitamin are believed to be important in oxidation-reduction reactions. The vitamin is involved in tyrosine metabolism, conversion of folic acid to folinic acid, carbohydrate metabolism, synthesis of lipids and proteins, iron metabolism, resistance to infections, and cellular respiration.

Dosage

Vitamin C dosage

vitamin C is usually administered orally. When oral administration is not feasible or when malabsorption is suspected, the drug may be administered IM, IV, or subcutaneously. When given parenterally, utilization of the vitamin reportedly is best after IM administration and that is the preferred parenteral route.

For intravenous injection, dilution into a large volume parenteral such as Normal Saline, Water for Injection, or Glucose is recommended to minimize the adverse reactions associated with intravenous injection.

The average protective dose of vitamin C for adults is 70 to 150 mg daily. In the presence of scurvy, doses of 300 mg to 1 g daily are recommended. However, as much as 6 g has been administered parenterally to normal adults without evidence of toxicity.

To enhance wound healing, doses of 300 to 500 mg daily for a week or ten days both preoperatively and postoperatively are generally considered adequate, although considerably larger amounts have been recommended. In the treatment of burns, doses are governed by the extent of tissue injury. For severe burns, daily doses of 1 to 2 g are recommended. In other conditions in which the need for vitamin C is increased, three to five times the daily optimum allowances appear to be adequate.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever the solution and container permit.

Side Effects

Vitamin C does not seem to have any important adverse effects at dosages less than 4 mg/day. Larger dose may cause diarrhoea or formation of renal calculi of calcium oxalate in patients with renal impairment. Ingestion of more than 600 mg daily have a diuretic action.

Precaution

Ingestion of megadose (more than 1000 mg daily) of vitamin C during pregnancy has resulted in scurvy in neonates. Vitamin C in mega-doses has been contraindicated for patients with hyperoxaluria. Vitamin C itself is a reactive substance in the redox system and can give rise to false positive reactions in certain analytical tests for glucose, uric acid, creatine and occult blood.

Interaction

Potentially hazardous interactions: Vitamin C is incompatible in solution with aminophylline, bleomycin, erythromycin, lactobionate, nafcillin, nitrofurantoin sodium, conjugated oestrogen, sodium bicarbonate, sulphafurazole diethanolamine, chloramphenicol sodium succinate, chlorthiazide sodium and hydrocortisone sodium succinate.

Useful interactions: Vitamin C increases the apparent half-life of paracetamol and enhances iron absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

Food Interaction

  • Avoid multivalent ions. Do not infuse with elemental compounds that can be reduced, such as copper.

Elimination Route

70% to 90%

Half Life

16 days (3.4 hours in people who have excess levels of vitamin C)

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

The drug is safe in normal doses in pregnant women, but a daily intake of 5 gm or more is reported to have caused abortion. The drug may be taken safely during lactation.

Storage Condition

Should be stored in a dry place below 30˚C.

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Vitamin C

FAQ

What is the purpose of Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is in a class of medications called antioxidants. It is needed by the body to help wounds heal, to enhance the absorption of iron from plant foods, and to support the immune system.

How safe Vitamin C is?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that ascorbic acid is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substance for use as a chemical preservative in foods and as a nutrient or dietary supplement.

What are the side effects of Vitamin C?

The common side effects are include:
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • heartburn,
  • stomach cramps, and.
  • headache.

Can you use Vitamin C everyday?

You can use Vitamin C daily.For adults, the recommended daily amount for vitamin C is 65 to 90 milligrams (mg) a day.

When should I take Vitamin C?

You can take the Vitamin C at whatever time of day you find easiest to remember, either before or after meals.Vitamin C tablets are usually taken once a.

Is Vitamin C safe during pregnancy?

Vitamin C is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk. High doses of Vitamin C taken during pregnancy have been reported to cause conditional scurvy in infants following birth.

Is Vitamin C safe during breastfeeding?

Yes, Vitamin C is safe to take while breastfeeding. Amount: 120 milligrams (mg) is the daily recommended amount for people who are breastfeeding. High daily doses up to 1000 mg increase milk levels, but not enough to cause a health concern for the breastfed infant and is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding.

Can I drink alcohol with Vitamin C ?

drink alcohol with Vitamin C may increase the rate at which alcohol is cleared from the blood.

When is the best time to take Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is best absorbed when you take them empty stomach.An ideal way would be to take your supplement first thing in the morning, 30-45 minutes before your meal.

How long does Vitamin C take to work?

You may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.

Is it safe to take Vitamin C at night?

Vitamin C is safe to take in recommended amounts at any time of day.

How many hours does Vitamin C stay in your system?

Vitamin C can stay in the body for weeks. Levels of Vitamin C in the blood are controlled by the kidneys through a process known as 'renal reabsorption,' which prevents Vitamin C from being lost in the urine.

When should Vitamin C be used?

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 Vitamin C.

Can I take Vitamin C for a long time?

Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.The recommended dietary allowance of  Vitamin C increases with age.

Is Vitamin C good for liver?

Vitamin C the active form of vitamin C, is a potent antioxidant involved in many functions throughout the body, particularly in the liver.

Is Vitamin C bad for my stomach?

Brand can cause upset stomach, heartburn, cramps, and headaches in some people.

Can I take Vitamin C anytime?

You can take Vitamin C supplements at any time of day, with or without food, although taking Vitamin C with foods can help decrease the potential gastrointestinal side effects caused by its high acidity.

What happens if I stop taking Vitamin C?

Do not stop using Vitamin C suddenly after long-term use at high doses, or you could have "conditional" vitamin C deficiency.

Is Vitamin C bad for my kidneys?

Take too much Vitamin C may increase the amount of oxalate in your kidneys, which has the potential to lead to kidney stones.

*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
Share