2008 Drg Bk 818-865 8/24/07 1:37 PM Page 844

VITAMIN C (Ascorbic Acid)

BRAND NAMES
Ascorbicap
Cecon
Cemill
Cenolate
Cetane
Cevalin
Cevi-Bid

When to take:
1, 2 or 3 times per day, as prescribed on label.
Ce-Vi-Sol
Cevita
C-Span
Flavorcee
Redoxon
Sunkist

Numerous brands of single vitamin and

multivitamin combinations are available.

BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? No
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Vitamin supplement

USES

Prevention and treatment of scurvy and other

vitamin C deficiencies.
Treatment of anemia.
Maintenance of acid urine.

DOSAGE & USAGE

INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet or capsuleSwallow with liquid.
Extended-release tablet or extended-release
capsuleSwallow whole with liquid. Do not
crush or chew.
Chewable tabletChew well, then swallow.
Effervescent tabletFollow label instructions.
Let tablet dissolve in water and drink entire
mixture.
Suspension, solution or dropsUse a dropper
or dose-measuring spoon to measure doses.
SyrupFollow label instructions. Use a dosemeasuring spoon to measure dosage and then
swallow.
LozengeLet dissolve completely in mouth.
Powder or crystalMeasure and mix as
directed. Drink all the mixture right away.
Continued next column

OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person
uses much larger amount than prescribed or
if accidentally swallowed, call doctor or
poison control center 1-800-222-1222 for help.

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If you forget a dose:

Take as soon as you remember, then return to
regular schedule.
What drug does:
May help form collagen.
Increases iron absorption from intestine.
Contributes to hemoglobin and red blood cell
production in bone marrow.
Time lapse before drug works:
1 week.
Dont take with:
Any other medicine or any dietary supplement
without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

POSSIBLE
ADVERSE REACTIONS
OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS

WHAT TO DO

Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
None expected.
Infrequent:
Mild diarrhea,
nausea, vomiting.
Flushed face.
Rare:
Kidney stones with
high doses, anemia,
abdominal pain.
Headache.

Discontinue. Call
doctor right away.
Continue. Call doctor
when convenient.
Discontinue. Call
doctor right away.
Continue. Tell doctor
at next visit.

2008 Drg Bk 818-865 8/24/07 1:37 PM Page 845

VITAMIN C (Ascorbic Acid)

Anticholinergics*

Possible decreased
anticholinergic effect.

Anticoagulants*,
oral

Possible decreased
anticoagulant effect.

Antidepressants,
tricyclic (TCA)*

Possible decreased
antidepressant
effect.

Aspirin

Over age 60:

Dont take more than recommended amount per
day unless prescribed by your doctor.

Decreased vitamin C
effect and salicylate
excretion.

Barbiturates*

Pregnancy:
Risk factor determined by length of pregnancy
and dosage amount. See category list on page
xviii and consult doctor.

Decreased vitamin C
effect. Increased
barbiturate effect.

Cellulose sodium
phosphate

Decreased vitamin C
effect.

Contraceptives,
oral*

Decreased vitamin C
effect.

Estrogens*

Increased likelihood
of adverse effects
from estrogen with
1 g or more of
vitamin C per day.

Iron supplements*

Increased iron
absorption.

Mexiletine

Possible decreased
effectiveness of
mexiletine.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:

No problems expected.

Quinidine

Discontinuing:
No problems expected.

Possible decreased
quinidine effect.

Salicylates*

Decreased vitamin C
effect and salicylate
excretion. May lead
to salicylate toxicity.

Tranquilizers*
(phenothiazine)

May decrease
phenothiazine effect
if no vitamin C
deficiency exists.

WARNINGS &
PRECAUTIONS
Dont take if:
You are allergic to vitamin C.
Before you start, consult your doctor if:
You have sickle-cell or other anemia.
You have had kidney stones.
You have gout.

Breast-feeding:
Avoid large doses. Consult doctor.
Infants & children:
Avoid large doses. Follow instructions on label.
Keep vitamin-mineral supplements out of
childrens reach.
Prolonged use:
Large doses for longer than 2 months may
cause kidney stones.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Others:
Store in cool, dry place.
May cause inaccurate tests for sugar in urine
or blood in stool.
May cause crisis in patients with sickle-cell
anemia.
A balanced diet should provide all the
vitamin C a healthy person needs and make
supplements unnecessary. Best sources are
citrus, strawberries, cantaloupe and raw
peppers.
Dont take large doses of vitamin C (1,000 mg
or more per day) unless prescribed by your
doctor.
Some products contain tartrazine dye. Avoid,
if allergic (especially aspirin hypersensitivity).

POSSIBLE INTERACTION
WITH OTHER DRUGS
GENERIC NAME
OR DRUG CLASS
Amphetamines*

*See Glossary

COMBINED EFFECT
Possible decreased
amphetamine effect.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION
WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
INTERACTS WITH

COMBINED EFFECT

Alcohol:

None expected.

Beverages:

None expected.

Cocaine:

None expected.

Foods:

None expected.

Marijuana:

None expected.

Tobacco:

Increased
requirement for
vitamin C.

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