Vitamin C [Ascorbic acid]

Uses

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is indicated in- Prevents & treats scurvy Helps in healing wounds & broken bones Helps to form collagen in connective tissues Aids in iron absorption & helps to treat anemia Contributes in production of hemoglobin & red blood cell in bone marrow ... Read more

Dosage

Vitamin C [Ascorbic acid] dosage

Oral tablet administration: For the prevention of scurvy: 1 tablet daily For the treatment of scurvy: 1-2 tablets daily; but dose may be increased depending on the severity of the condition. For the reduction of risk of stroke in the elderly: 1-2 tablets daily. In other cases: 1 tablet daily or as directed by the physician. Maximum safe dose is 2000 mg daily in divided doses. Oral sachet administration: 1 sachet daily or as directed by registered physician. Maximum Dose: 2000 mg/day (4 sachets/day). Parenteral administration: 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. Forintravenousinjection, dilution into a large volume parenteral such as NormalSaline, Water for Injection, orGlucoseis 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 oftoxicity. 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 tissueinjury. 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 has little toxicity and only mega-doses of vitamin C may cause diarrhoea, abdominal bloating, iron over-absorption that is harmful in patients with thalassaemia, sideroblastic anemia, and haemochromatosis; hyperoxaluria, hyperuricosuria, and hemolysis in patients with glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. A pregnant woman taking more than 5 gm/day may suffer fetal abortion.

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: Ascorbic acid 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: Ascorbic acid increases the apparent half-life of paracetamol and enhances iron absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

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

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