Ascorbic Acid (patient information)

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Drug information courtesy of the National Library of Medicine Please visit the NLM website for the most current information.

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Why this medication is prescribed

Ascorbic acid is used to prevent and treat scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C in the body.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used

Ascorbic acid comes in extended-release (long-acting) capsules and tablets, lozenges, syrup, chewable tablets, and liquid drops to be given by mouth. It usually is taken once a day. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ascorbic acid exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Some tablets should be chewed; other tablets and capsules should be swallowed with a full glass of water.

It may take up to 3 weeks for symptoms of scurvy to improve.

Special precautions

Before taking ascorbic acid:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ascorbic acid or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including other vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney stones. Diabetics should talk to their doctor or pharmacist for the correct way to test their urine while taking large amounts of ascorbic acid.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ascorbic acid, call your doctor.

Special dietary instructions

Some forms of ascorbic acid contain sodium and should be avoided if you are on a sodium- or salt-restricted diet.

Your doctor may suggest changes in your diet to give you more vitamin C.

What to do if you forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects

Ascorbic acid may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if either of these symptoms is severe or does not go away:

• diarrhea
• upset stomach

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

• Cecon® Drops
• Cenolate®
• Cevi-Bid®
• Vicks® Vitamin C Drops

Other names

• Vitamin C

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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content

Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .