People get most vitamins from food. But sometimes, especially with a monotonous and meager diet, it is still not possible to avoid vitamin deficiency. In such cases, bioactive supplements and multivitamin complexes will help restore the vitamin balance. One such supplement is vitamin C powder.
Ascorbic acid is present in many products, mainly of plant origin, i.e. in greens, fruits and vegetables. This vitamin compound is a water-soluble substance and performs significant functions for the body, therefore, when it is deficient, various health problems arise. We will describe in detail why ascorbic acid is so important for the body and how to take powder supplements of this vitamin below.
Indications for the drug Ascorbic acid
hypo- and vitamin deficiency C;
increased need for ascorbic acid (artificial feeding, period of intensive growth, hard work);
to increase immunoresistance;
prevention of upper respiratory tract infections, bleeding from the gums;
anorexia;
increased fatigue;
liver diseases;
anemia;
stimulation of tissue regeneration;
convalescence.
Beneficial properties of vitamin C for the body
Ascorbic acid in powder belongs to the category of vitamins and vitamin-like substances. It is a crumbly white substance with a slight admixture of tiny crystals. The powder has a sour taste, but produces a slight sensation of sweetness for some. Vitamin powder is packaged in sachets of 2.5 and 1 g. The contents of the package constitute a single dose of the vitamin. The package can contain from five to one hundred sachets.
Now Foods, Vitamin C Crystals, 227 g
664 rub.
More details
The composition of the powder is vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid. Manufacturers do not use additional components, therefore the mechanism of action is based on the properties of the main component of the drug. Ascorbic acid brings great benefits to the body:
- Provides an increase in immune status, which increases the body's resistance to viral and bacterial infections.
- Has a powerful antioxidant effect.
- Helps strengthen vascular walls, normalizes their permeability.
- Improves iron absorption.
- Takes part in redox and metabolic processes, in tissue respiration, stimulates liver activity at the level of cellular structures.
- Helps strengthen hair, teeth and bone tissue.
Due to its versatile and extensive action, the product is often used in therapeutic and gynecological fields, pediatrics, cosmetology and other branches of medicine. Doctors advise always including foods with vitamin C in your diet, but if this is difficult, then ascorbic acid in the form of bagged powder will help ensure the daily requirement. If the body does not have enough vitamin C, then the person will notice the appearance of chronic fatigue, a tendency to stress, decreased immunity, causeless irritability and drowsiness.
Advantages and disadvantages of ascorbic acid powder
The drug in powder form has some advantages over a similar vitamin in the form of dragees or tablets. These include:
- stability during storage;
- precise and easy dosage, suggesting 1 daily dose per sachet;
- ease of use;
- ease of transportation;
- low cost;
- efficiency, etc.
But the powder preparation has disadvantages. It should be taken with particular caution by people prone to allergies, because this vitamin form is more likely to provoke allergic reactions than pills. Due to its excessively sour taste, the powder is not suitable for people who have hyperacid gastric juice or suffer from erosive and ulcerative processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Ascorbic acid powder 2.5g, 50 packets
Registration Certificate Holder
TULA PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORY (Russia)
Dosage form
Medicine - Ascorbic acid
Description
Powder for solution for oral administration
white crystalline, odorless.
1 pack
ascorbic acid 2.5 g
2.5 g - Heat sealable bags.
Indications
For systemic use: prevention and treatment of hypo- and vitamin C deficiency; ensuring the body's increased need for vitamin C during growth, pregnancy, lactation, heavy loads, overwork, and during convalescence after long-term serious illnesses; in winter, with an increased risk of developing infectious diseases.
For intravaginal use: chronic or recurrent vaginitis (bacterial vaginosis, nonspecific vaginitis) caused by anaerobic flora (due to altered vaginal pH); in order to normalize the disturbed vaginal microflora.
Contraindications for use
Hypersensitivity to ascorbic acid.
pharmachologic effect
Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is necessary for the formation of intracellular collagen and is required to strengthen the structure of teeth, bones and capillary walls. Participates in redox reactions, tyrosine metabolism, conversion of folic acid into folinic acid, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid and protein synthesis, iron metabolism, cellular respiration processes, activates the synthesis of steroid hormones. Reduces the need for vitamins B1, B2, A, E, folic acid, pantothenic acid, helps increase the body's resistance to infections; improves iron absorption, promoting its deposition in a reduced form. Has antioxidant properties.
When used intravaginally, ascorbic acid reduces the pH of the vagina, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and helps restore and maintain normal pH and vaginal flora (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri).
Drug interactions
When used simultaneously with barbiturates and primidone, the excretion of ascorbic acid in the urine increases.
With simultaneous use of oral contraceptives, the concentration of ascorbic acid in the blood plasma decreases.
When used simultaneously with iron supplements, ascorbic acid, due to its restorative properties, converts ferric iron into divalent iron, which helps improve its absorption.
Ascorbic acid in high doses can reduce urine pH, which, when used simultaneously, reduces the tubular reabsorption of amphetamine and tricyclic antidepressants.
When used simultaneously, acetylsalicylic acid reduces the absorption of ascorbic acid by about a third.
When used simultaneously with warfarin, the effects of warfarin may be reduced.
When used concomitantly, ascorbic acid increases iron excretion in patients receiving deferoxamine. When using ascorbic acid at a dose of 500 mg/day, left ventricular dysfunction may occur.
When used simultaneously with tetracycline, the excretion of ascorbic acid in the urine increases.
A case of a decrease in the concentration of fluphenazine in the blood plasma in a patient receiving ascorbic acid 500 mg 2 times a day is described.
It is possible to increase the concentration of ethinyl estradiol in the blood plasma when used simultaneously as part of oral contraceptives.
Dosage regimen
Used orally, intramuscularly, intravaginally, intravaginally.
For the prevention of deficiency conditions - 25-75 mg/day, for treatment 250 mg/day or more in divided doses.
For intravaginal use, ascorbic acid preparations are used in appropriate dosage forms.
Side effect
From the side of the central nervous system:
headache, feeling tired, insomnia.
From the digestive system:
stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.
Allergic reactions:
Isolated cases of skin reactions and manifestations from the respiratory system have been described.
From the urinary system:
when used in high doses - hyperoxaluria and the formation of kidney stones from calcium oxalate.
Local reactions:
with intravaginal use - burning or itching in the vagina, increased mucous discharge, hyperemia, swelling of the vulva.
Other:
feeling of heat.
special instructions
Use with caution in patients with hyperoxaluria, impaired renal function, or a history of urolithiasis.
Because ascorbic acid increases iron absorption, its use in high doses may be dangerous in patients with hemochromatosis, thalassemia, polycythemia, leukemia and sideroblastic anemia.
In patients with high iron levels in the body, ascorbic acid should be used in minimal doses.
Use with caution in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
The use of ascorbic acid in high doses can cause an exacerbation of sickle cell anemia.
Data on the diabetogenic effect of ascorbic acid are contradictory. However, with long-term use of ascorbic acid, blood glucose levels should be periodically monitored.
It is believed that the use of ascorbic acid in patients with rapidly proliferating and widely disseminated tumors may aggravate the process. Therefore, ascorbic acid should be used with caution in patients with advanced cancer.
The absorption of ascorbic acid decreases with the simultaneous consumption of fresh fruit or vegetable juices and alkaline drinks.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Restrictions during pregnancy - No restrictions. Restrictions when breastfeeding - No restrictions.
The minimum daily requirement for ascorbic acid in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is about 60 mg.
Ascorbic acid penetrates the placental barrier. It should be borne in mind that the fetus can adapt to high doses of ascorbic acid taken by a pregnant woman, and then the newborn may develop ascorbic acid syndrome as a withdrawal reaction. Therefore, during pregnancy you should not take ascorbic acid in high doses, unless the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk.
The minimum daily requirement during lactation (breastfeeding) is 80 mg. Ascorbic acid is excreted in breast milk. A maternal diet containing adequate amounts of ascorbic acid is sufficient to prevent deficiency in the infant. It is not known whether maternal use of ascorbic acid in high doses is dangerous for the child. Theoretically this is possible. Therefore, it is recommended that a nursing mother not exceed the maximum daily requirement for ascorbic acid, unless the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk.
Use for renal impairment
Restrictions for impaired renal function - With caution.
Use with caution in patients with hyperoxaluria, impaired renal function, or a history of urolithiasis.
Use in elderly patients
Restrictions for elderly patients - No restrictions. The drug is approved for use in elderly patients
Use in children
Restrictions for children - No restrictions. The drug is approved for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age
Recommendation and dosage of ascorbic acid powder
Ascorbic acid in powder form is taken orally. To do this, the powder is dissolved in boiled and cooled water. A sachet of 1 g of powder is dissolved in 1 liter of liquid, respectively 2.5 g in 2.5 liters. Dosages for different categories of patients differ:
- For the treatment of colds or vitamin deficiencies, adults should drink 100 ml solution five times a day, 3-6 year old children 2-4 times a day, 25 ml, 6-14 year old children 50-100 ml solution 2 times a day, adolescents 14-17 years old should take the drug 100 ml 2-3 times. per day.
- When taken prophylactically to prevent vitamin deficiencies, adults need to drink 100 ml of solution per day, children 3-6 years old - 25 ml, 6-14 years old - 50 ml, and 14-17 year olds - 50-75 ml per day.
- Women during pregnancy with a diagnosed vitamin deficiency or colds are recommended to consume 300 ml of the solution for 7-14 days, and then switch to smaller doses - 100 ml.
It is strictly unacceptable during therapy to exceed the dosages recommended in the annotation, otherwise the risk of side effects increases.
This video explains how to take ascorbic acid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m-bsBsloDE
When use is contraindicated
Ascorbic acid has virtually no contraindications, with the exception of hypersensitivity to the vitamin. It is also not recommended to take ascorbic acid for persons:
- having increased blood clotting rates;
- those suffering from thrombophlebitis or a tendency to form thrombosis;
- diabetics and people with high blood sugar;
- with severe forms of renal pathologies;
- with fructose intolerance.
In large quantities the drug is contraindicated, and in moderate quantities it is prescribed with caution:
- suffering from glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, thalassemia or hemochromatosis;
- with nephrolithiasis (renal stone pathology) or hyperoxaluria;
- sideroblastic anemia, urolithiasis.
Precautions for use
During the lactation and pregnancy periods, the drug is prescribed strictly according to indications. In the 2-3 trimester, according to the instructions, pregnant women are allowed to take no more than 60 mg of ascorbic acid per day. This is the maximum daily dosage for this category of patients. It is worth considering that the fetal body is able to adapt to increased dosages of ascorbic acid, which the mother takes during gestation. But after giving birth, the newborn is at risk of experiencing withdrawal syndrome.
For women breastfeeding, the maximum daily dosage is 80 mg. If the diet contains enough products containing ascorbic acid, then such nutrition will be quite enough to prevent vitamin C deficiency in infants. If a nursing woman takes the drug in high doses, then this can lead to unpredictable consequences for the child. Therefore, exceeding the permissible doses is still not recommended.
You should also be careful when using the solution:
- ascorbic acid increases the absorption of iron components, therefore, at elevated doses it is dangerous for thalassemia, hemochromatosis or leukemia, polycythemia, etc.;
- for renal disorders;
- in case of sickle cell anemia, increased consumption of ascorbic acid provokes an exacerbation of the pathological process.
Some experts suggest that when patients with disseminated tumors take such drugs, the risk of worsening the tumor process increases. That is why vitamins for progressive cancer pathologies should be taken only as prescribed by an oncologist.
Adverse reactions to taking the vitamin
When taking the solution, side effects are likely to develop. Judging by the reviews, they occur infrequently, but still occur:
- disruptions in nervous system activity associated with sleep disorders, headaches or feelings of fatigue;
- urinary disorders such as urolithiasis or hyperoxaluria, which occur with prolonged overdose of ascorbic acid;
- cardiovascular disorders caused by increased blood pressure, the development of microangiopathy or myocardial dystrophy;
- changes in laboratory data;
- Gastrointestinal disorders such as gag reflexes, stomach cramps or nausea;
- endocrine disruptions;
- allergic reactions, which are manifested by skin itching, rashes, urticaria, and in isolated cases - respiratory manifestations;
- other side effects such as hot flashes, swelling or disruption of certain metabolic processes.
Any adverse reaction is a reason to stop further taking the drug and immediately contact a specialist.
Interaction with other drugs
When taking vitamin C powder, you should consider its interaction with other medications:
- Increases the content of tetracyclines and benzylpenicillin, improves the absorption of iron supplements.
- Reduces the effectiveness of indirect anticoagulants and heparin.
- The digestibility and absorption of ascorbic acid decreases under the influence of acetylsalicylic acid, alkaline liquids or freshly squeezed juices.
- Reduces the concentration of oral contraception in the blood, and also provokes the development of crystalluria when combined with short-acting sulfonamides or salicylates.
- When used simultaneously with isoprenaline, its chronotropic effect is reduced.
- Under the influence of ascorbic acid, the effect of neuroleptics and antipsychotic drugs is reduced.
- In combination with Primidon or barbiturates, acetylsalicylic acid, the excretion of ascorbic acid in urine increases.
Doctors do not advise dissolving the powder in mineral water, as it interferes with the absorption of the vitamin.
Possibility of overdose
If it is impossible to get an overdose when consuming foods rich in ascorbic acid, then when taking large doses of synthetically produced ascorbic acid, such an outcome is quite possible. As a result of an overdose, patients may experience diarrhea, urinary problems or hemolysis of the blood, heartburn attacks, or red urine.
If such symptoms occur, you should immediately consult a doctor. Treatment is symptomatic and involves forced diuresis.
