C On 500 mg/5 ml Injection

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for:

• Prevention and treatment of vitamin C deficiency and scurvy (bleeding gums, poor wound healing)
• Increased needs: pregnancy, breastfeeding, smokers, recovery from illness or surgery, burns
• Improving absorption of iron from iron supplements
• General immune and wound-healing support

Adults: prevention 50–250 mg daily; deficiency/scurvy 250 mg–1 g daily in divided doses for 1–2 weeks, or as directed.

Children: 25–100 mg daily; scurvy 100–300 mg daily in divided doses.

• Chewable tablets should be chewed; effervescent tablets dissolved in water.
• High doses (over 1–2 g/day) are not recommended for long periods.

• Allergy to the product
• History of oxalate kidney stones or hyperoxaluria (high doses)

Usually well tolerated at normal doses.

High doses: diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, heartburn, kidney stones (oxalate), increased iron absorption.

Rare: haemolysis in G6PD deficiency (very high doses).

Chewable tablets may affect tooth enamel if used frequently.

• Kidney disease, kidney stones, iron overload (haemochromatosis), thalassaemia, G6PD deficiency: avoid high doses.
• High doses may interfere with urine/blood glucose tests and stool blood tests.
• Effervescent tablets contain sodium — caution on a salt-restricted diet.

Safe at recommended doses in pregnancy and breastfeeding; avoid very high doses.

• Iron supplements (absorption increased — useful)
• Deferoxamine (heart effects with high-dose vitamin C)
• Aluminium-containing antacids (more aluminium absorption)
• Warfarin (very high doses may reduce effect)

Diarrhoea and stomach upset; kidney stones with long-term excess.

Store below 25–30°C, dry, protected from light; keep effervescent tubes tightly closed.