Ascorbic acid or vvitamin C isnutritioncollagen-forming, which is a substance which needed to fix skin, bone, andtooth. Vitamin C can be obtained naturally from fruits and vegetables.
Natural vitamin C can be obtained from various types of fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, yuzu, strawberries, raspberries, chili, broccoli, and potatoes. However, the body can lack vitamin C. This condition is at risk for people who often consume alcoholic beverages, smokers, and drug users.
Lack of vitamin C or scurvy can cause anemia, bleeding gums, and wounds that are difficult to heal. In such conditions, the body requires additional intake of vitamin C, apart from food.
Vitamin C trademark: Vitamin C IPI, Vitacimin, Xon-ce, Corbavit, Sankorbin, Ulvice, Holisticare Ester C
What's that Vitamin C(Ascorbic Acid)?
| group | Vitamin |
| Category | Free medicine |
| Benefit | Prevent and overcome vitamin C deficiency. |
| Used by | Adults and children. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding category | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Vitamin C can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without telling your doctor. |
| Drug form | Lozenges & injections. |
Warning Before Taking Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Be careful taking vitamin C if you have a history of kidney failure, kidney stones, diabetes, G6PD enzyme deficiency, and hemochromatosis.
- Talk to your doctor before using vitamin C, especially if you have food or drug allergies.
- In some people, the oral form of vitamin C can cause kidney stones, especially if taken more than 2000 mg per day.
- If you are going to have a blood sugar test or a stool sample test, tell your doctor that you are taking vitamin C, because vitamin C levels that are too high in the body can affect the results of the test.
Dose and Rules of Use Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
The dose of vitamin C depends on the age of the patient. Here is the dose of vitamin C use for vitamin C deficiency (scorbut):
Vitamin C tablets
- Adult: 250 mg daily, in 4 divided doses.
- Children: 100 mg per day, in 3 divided doses. Continued 100 mg per day until symptoms subside (1-3 months)
Vitamin C injection
- Adults: 200 mg per day.
- Children 5 months – 1 year: 50 mg per day.
- Children 1 year – 11 years: 100 mg per day.
- Children over 11 years: 200 mg per day.
Daily Requirements and Intake Limits of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Below is the recommended daily requirement of vitamin C per day based on age and gender. This amount of intake can be obtained from food, supplements, or a combination of the two.
Baby/child
| Age | Intake (mg/day) |
| 0-6 months | 40 |
| 7-12 months | 50 |
| 1-3 years | 15 |
| 4-8 years | 25 |
| 9-13 years old | 45 |
Adult male
| Age | Intake (mg/day) |
| 14-18 years old | 75 |
| 19 years and over | 90 |
Adult female
| Age | Intake (mg/day) |
| 14-18 years old | 65 |
| 19 years and over | 75 |
| Pregnant mother | 80 (≤18 years)85 (19 years and over) |
| Breastfeeding mothers | 115 (≤18 years)120 (19 years and over) |
Especially for smokers, add 35 mg of the daily intake of vitamin C above.
In order to avoid excess vitamin C, pay attention to the maximum safe intake of vitamin C based on age below:
| Age | Intake (mg/day) |
| 1-3 years | 400 |
| 4-8 years | 650 |
| 9-13 years old | 1200 |
| 14-18 years old | 1800 |
| 19 years and over | 2000 |
Method MengUseVitamin C(Ascorbic Acid) correctly
Vitamin and mineral supplements are consumed to complement the body's need for vitamins and minerals, especially when the intake of vitamins and minerals from food cannot meet the body's needs. However, supplements are only used as a complement to the body's nutritional needs, not as a substitute for nutrients from food. Vitamin C is also good for increasing endurance.
There are several conditions that cause the body to need supplements, such as being stricken with an illness (such as the flu), pregnant, or taking drugs that can interfere with the metabolism of vitamins and minerals.
The dose of vitamin C is given based on the patient's age, condition, and response to the drug. Vitamin C tablets are generally taken 1-2 times a day, can be taken before or after meals.
A person's need for vitamin C will increase with age. Consult a nutritionist about your age-appropriate daily vitamin C needs. To prevent side effects, do not exceed the recommended dose.
Injectable vitamin C is given by a doctor by injection into a vein, muscle, or under the skin.
Vitamin C cannot cure colds and coughs. However, taking vitamin C regularly, before the onset of the flu, is thought to shorten the recovery time of a mild cold. If you experience complaints of fever, cough, and severe shortness of breath, don't hesitate to check with a doctor.
Store packaged vitamin C at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Do not open the package of vitamin C if you do not want to consume it.
Vitamin C Interaction (Ascorbic Acid) with other drugs
Vitamin C taken together with other medicines can cause certain reactions, including:
- Reduces the effects of chemotherapy drugs, statin drugs, niacin (vitamin B3), and warfarin.
- Decreases the effectiveness of birth control pills and fluphenazine.
- Decreases the effectiveness of vitamin C when taken with aspirin.
- Increases the risk of iron poisoning to the heart, if taken with the drug deferoxamine.
Side effects and Danger Vitamin C(Ascorbic Acid)
If taken in recommended doses, vitamin C very rarely causes side effects. On the other hand, if taken in high doses or long-term, vitamin C can cause the following side effects:
- Bloated
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhea
- Nauseous
- Throw up
- Heartburn
- Kidney stones
In rare cases, vitamin C can trigger a serious allergic reaction. Immediately consult a doctor if a rash appears on the skin, itching or swelling (especially on the face, tongue and throat), dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Examination by a doctor is also necessary if complaints of pain occur when urinating or urine is accompanied by blood after consuming high doses of vitamin C for a long time.