Vitamin C

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

General information

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient for the human body. Ascorbate acts as an antioxidant via protecting the body against oxidative stress. Ascorbate is required for a range of essential metabolic reactions and needed for the growth and repair of tissues. It is used to form an important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. It facilitates wounds healing and forms scar tissue; it helps to repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that enhances stress resistance and blocks the damage caused by free radicals. The buildup of free radicals over time is responsible for the aging process. Vitamin C takes part in the synthesis of collagen and procollagen, folic acid and iron metabolism, facilitates steroid hormones and catecholamines synthesis. It stabilizes blood coagulation and improves capillaries permeability which is essential for hemopoiesis.

Directions

Take this medication exactly as your doctor has prescribed it. You must carefully follow all directions. Avoid exceeding your dose or taking the medication longer than it was advised by your doctor. The standard daily dose of Vitamin C for infants under 1 year is 30-35 mg; babies with the age of 1-3 years take 40 mg; children between 4-10 years take 45 mg daily. You will need a specific dosage adjustment in case you are pregnant or belong to the group of smokers.

Precautions

Notify your doctor of any other medications that you might be taking besides this one. Taking this drug with a certain class of other medicines may result in increasing or decreasing the effects or alter them in either drug. Tell your doctor if your medical history includes kidney disease, kidney stones, liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) deficiency. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or in case you have been prescribed to receive chemotherapy, medications aimed to treat bowel disorders, antiviral medications, anaesthetics, anti-arthritis drugs, antibiotics. In this case you strongly need a dosage monitoring.

Contraindications

This product is contraindicated in patients showing hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation.

Possible side effect

An adverse drug response may involve hematuria (presence of the blood in urine), a feeling of collapse, acute watery or bloody diarrhea, frequent and painful urination. Seek emergency medical attention in case any of these symptoms persist of worsen.

Drug interactions

This medication is able to interact with aspirin resulting in stomach irritation and ulcer. Aspirin increases excretion of ascorbic acid by the kidneys which may result in decrease of blood concentration of ascorbic acid. Blood levels of aluminum and its toxicity may increase due to ascorbic acid. Avoid taking medications that contain aluminum.

Missed dose

If you have missed your dose, take it as soon as possible. In case it is near the time for the next dose, avoid taking the missed dose and keep your ordinary dosing schedule. Avoid compensating a missed dose by taking an extra one.

Overdose

If you suspect you have used too much of this medication, seek emergency medical attention right away. You must do this even if symptoms of discomfort or poisoning haven’t been indicated at once. You may need urgent medical attention. Symptoms of overdose include stomach upsets (diarrhea). Big doses of ascorbic acid also decrease ability of the organism to assimilate vitamine B 12 from food.

Storage

Store this product in a dry tight container away from sources of sunlight, heat and moisture. Do not store it in the bathroom. Keep this product out of the reach of children and pets. Do not apply any remnants of the medication after the expiry date.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.