Ascorbic Acid

Water-Soluble·Vitamins & Minerals

Prevention and treatment of scurvy, adjunctive wound healing, methemoglobinemia (if methylene blue unavailable)

VITAMINCecon, Redoxon500 mg tabletUNSCHEDULEDTGA

Dose

500 mg/day

Half-life

Hours

Urine pH

ACIDIFIES

Iron Absorb

ENHANCES

Rapid Summary

Overview

Vitamin C. Essential water-soluble antioxidant. Crucial for collagen synthesis and tissue repair. Rapidly excreted in the urine when saturated.

Maximum Dose

Max 2000 mg/day (Higher doses just cause severe osmotic diarrhea).

Clinical Focus

Useful with oral iron and for deficiency states, but routine megadose vitamin C has limited evidence and increases gastrointestinal intolerance and oxalate-stone risk.

Bottom Line

Ascorbic Acid is used for scurvy treatment and prevention and as an adjunct in iron absorption, but mega-doses increase oxalate kidney stone risk and provide no proven benefit for cold prevention.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Cecon, Redoxon

Oral Routes

Tablets (250, 500 mg). Chewable tablets. Effervescent tablets.

Parenteral

Ampoules for IV / IM use (Hospital only).

Prescribing & PBS

Over The Counter (OTC).

Indications & Use

Primary

TGA

Prevention and treatment of scurvy, adjunctive wound healing, methemoglobinemia (if methylene blue unavailable).

Off-Label

OFF

Used in toxicology to acidify the urine and flush out weak-base drugs (like Amphetamines).

Quick reference

Class & Role

Water-Soluble — Vitamin C.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (250, 500 mg). Chewable tablets. Effervescent tablets. (Cecon, Redoxon)

Usual Dose & Max

PO / IV 500-1000 mg/day in divided doses until symptoms resolve. Max 2000 mg/day (Higher doses just cause severe osmotic diarrhea).

Key Indication Doses

Scurvy (Severe Deficiency): PO / IV 500-1000 mg/day in divided doses until symptoms resolve. Iron Absorption Enhancement: PO 250-500 mg taken concurrently with oral iron supplements. Wound Healing (Burns/Ulcers): PO 500 mg BD.

Best Uses

Ascorbic Acid is used for scurvy treatment and prevention and as an adjunct in iron absorption, but mega-doses increase oxalate kidney stone risk and provide no proven benefit for cold prevention.

Avoid / Cautions

Hemochromatosis, Thalassemia (Vitamin C accelerates iron absorption and exacerbates iron overload toxicity). Pregnancy Category A.

Key Risks

Gastrointestinal: Osmotic diarrhea, severe abdominal cramping, nausea (virtually guaranteed at doses > 2g/day). Renal: Oxalate kidney stones. Vitamin C is metabolized to oxalate, and massive chronic doses increase the risk of renal calculi. Haematological: Can precipitate hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency if given in massive IV doses.

Key Interactions

BENEFICIAL — Oral Iron (Ferrous sulfate). Vitamin C converts ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+), significantly boosting gut absorption. Amphetamines (Dexamphetamine). Because high-dose Vitamin C intensely acidifies the urine, it traps amphetamines in the urine and forces their rapid excretion, ruining their clinical effect.

Monitoring

Vitamin C can cause false-negative results in stool occult blood tests. Cease 48h before testing.

Clinical Pearl

Scurvy is not just a pirate disease. Elderly patients living alone on a 'tea and toast' diet frequently present to the ward with spontaneous massive bruising, corkscrew body hairs, and bleeding gums. 500mg of Vitamin C cures it in days.

Access

Cecon, Redoxon500 mg tablet

Brand: Cecon, Redoxon
Formulation: Tablets (250, 500 mg)

Ascorbic Acid

Water-Soluble·Vitamins & Minerals

Prevention and treatment of scurvy, adjunctive wound healing, methemoglobinemia (if methylene blue unavailable)

VITAMINCecon, Redoxon500 mg tabletUNSCHEDULEDTGA

Dose

500 mg/day

Half-life

Hours

Urine pH

ACIDIFIES

Iron Absorb

ENHANCES

Rapid Summary

Overview

Vitamin C. Essential water-soluble antioxidant. Crucial for collagen synthesis and tissue repair. Rapidly excreted in the urine when saturated.

Maximum Dose

Max 2000 mg/day (Higher doses just cause severe osmotic diarrhea).

Clinical Focus

Useful with oral iron and for deficiency states, but routine megadose vitamin C has limited evidence and increases gastrointestinal intolerance and oxalate-stone risk.

Bottom Line

Ascorbic Acid is used for scurvy treatment and prevention and as an adjunct in iron absorption, but mega-doses increase oxalate kidney stone risk and provide no proven benefit for cold prevention.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Cecon, Redoxon

Oral Routes

Tablets (250, 500 mg). Chewable tablets. Effervescent tablets.

Parenteral

Ampoules for IV / IM use (Hospital only).

Prescribing & PBS

Over The Counter (OTC).

Indications & Use

Primary

TGA

Prevention and treatment of scurvy, adjunctive wound healing, methemoglobinemia (if methylene blue unavailable).

Off-Label

OFF

Used in toxicology to acidify the urine and flush out weak-base drugs (like Amphetamines).

Quick reference

Class & Role

Water-Soluble — Vitamin C.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (250, 500 mg). Chewable tablets. Effervescent tablets. (Cecon, Redoxon)

Usual Dose & Max

PO / IV 500-1000 mg/day in divided doses until symptoms resolve. Max 2000 mg/day (Higher doses just cause severe osmotic diarrhea).

Key Indication Doses

Best Uses

Ascorbic Acid is used for scurvy treatment and prevention and as an adjunct in iron absorption, but mega-doses increase oxalate kidney stone risk and provide no proven benefit for cold prevention.

Avoid / Cautions

Hemochromatosis, Thalassemia (Vitamin C accelerates iron absorption and exacerbates iron overload toxicity). Pregnancy Category A.

Key Risks

Key Interactions

Monitoring

Vitamin C can cause false-negative results in stool occult blood tests. Cease 48h before testing.

Clinical Pearl

Access

Cecon, Redoxon500 mg tablet

Brand: Cecon, Redoxon
Formulation: Tablets (250, 500 mg)