Indication Vitamin C is indicated for the treatment or prevention of Vitamin C deficiency, scurvy, infections, trauma, burns, cold exposure, post-surgery recovery, common cold, fever, stress, cancer, methaemoglobinaemia, and children receiving unfortified formulas. It is also indicated in hematuria, dental caries, gum diseases, pyorrhea, acne, infertility, atherosclerosis, fractures, leg ulcers, hay fever, vascular thrombosis prevention, levodopa toxicity, and arsenic toxicity.

Administration Vitamin C may be taken with or without food. For IV preparation, dilute with a large volume of compatible fluid (dextrose solutions, NS, LR, Ringer’s, ½NS, dextrose-saline, dextrose-LR, etc.) to minimize adverse reactions. Avoid rapid infusion during IV administration.

Adult Dose

Scurvy Prevention: 25–75 mg daily (4 tablets 2–3 times daily).
Treatment: >250 mg daily in divided doses.
IV/IM/SC: 250–500 mg once or twice daily for at least 2 weeks.
Thalassaemia: 100–200 mg daily with desferrioxamine.
Common Cold: ≥1 g daily in divided doses.
Wound Healing: 2–4 tablets 2–3 times daily.
Other Conditions: 1–2 tablets daily.
Stroke Risk Reduction (elderly): 1–2 tablets daily.
Effervescent Tablet: 1 tablet daily with meals, dissolved in 100 ml water.

Child Dose

1 month–4 years: 125–250 mg daily.
4–12 years: 250–500 mg daily.
12–18 years: 500 mg–1 g daily.
Thalassaemia: 100–200 mg daily with desferrioxamine.
Metabolic Disorders: Neonates 50–200 mg daily; 1 month–18 years: 200–400 mg daily (up to 1 g if needed).

Mode of Action Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation and tissue repair. It participates in oxidation-reduction reactions, synthesis of catecholamines, carnitine, and steroids, and conversion of folic acid to folinic acid.

Precaution Use with caution in patients with hyperoxaluria.

Side Effects Flushing, flank pain, faintness, headache, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, and hyperoxaluria (with large doses).

Interaction Vitamin C interacts with deferroxamine, hormonal contraceptives, fluphenazine, warfarin, elemental iron, salicylates, disulfiram, mexiletine, and vitamin B12.