Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Indications

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is used for: Treatment or prevention of, Vitamin C Deficiency, Scurvy, Infection, Trauma, Burns, Cold exposure, Following Surgery, common cold, Fever, scurvy, Stress, Cancer, Methaemoglobinaemia and Children receiving unfortified formulas. Also indicated in, Hematuria, Dental Caries, Gum Diseases, Pyorrhea, Acne, Infertility, Atherosclerosis, Fractures, Leg ulcers, Hay fever, Vascular thrombosis prevention, Levodopa toxicity, Arsenic toxicity.

Adult Dose

Oral Scurvy Adult: Prevention: 25-75 mg daily. 4 tablets 2 to 3 times daily. Treatment: >250 mg daily, given in divided doses. May also be given via IM/IV/SC admin. 250-500mg IV qDay/BID for at least 2 weeks. Thalassaemia Adult: 100-200 mg daily, to be given with desferrioxamine. Common cold: 1 gm or more daily in divided doses, i.e. 4 tablets daily. In wound healing: 2-4 tablets 2 to 3 times daily In other conditions: 1-2 tablets daily For the reduction of risk of stroke in the elderly: 1-2 tablets daily. 1 effervescent tablet daily with a meal or as directed by physician. Dissolve one tablet in half glass (100 ml) of water and drink instantly.

Child Dose

Children: Child: 1 mth-4 yr: 125-250 mg daily; 4-12 yr: 250-500 mg daily; 12-18 yr: 500 mg-1 g daily. Doses to be given in 1-2 divided doses. Thalassaemia Child: 100-200 mg daily, to be given with desferrioxamine. Metabolic disorders Child: Neonate: 50-200 mg daily, adjust if needed; 1 mth-18 yr: 200-400 mg daily in 1-2 divided doses, up to 1 g daily may be needed.

Renal Dose

Administration

May be taken with or without food. IV Preparation Dilute with large volume of compatible fluid to minimize adverse reactions Compatible w/ most common diluents (dextrose solns, NS, LR, Ringer's, ½NS, dextrose-saline, dextrose-LR etc) IV Administration Avoid rapid infusion

Contra Indications

Precautions

Should be given with caution to patient with hyperoxaluria.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy No adverse developmental outcomes are reported in the published literature There are no available data on use of Ascor in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes Lactation There are no data on the presence of ascorbic acid in human milk following IV dosing in lactating women Ascorbic acid is present in human milk after maternal oral intake

Interactions

Vit C: Deferroxamine, hormonal contraceptives, flufenazine, warfarin, elemental iron, salicylates, warfarin, fluphenazine, disulfiram, mexiletine, vitamin B12.

Side Effects

Side effects of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) : Flushing, Flank pain, Faintness, headache, Diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, Hyperoxaluria (large doses)

Mode of Action

Vitamin C: Necessary for collagen formation and tissue repair; plays a role in oxidation/reduction reactions as well as other metabolic pathways including synthesis of catecholamines, carnitine, and steroids; also plays a role in conversion of folic acid to folinic acid.