ASCORBIC acid = VITAMIN C oral | MSF Medical Guidelines

Therapeutic action

• Vitamin

Indications

• Treatment and prevention of scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)

Forms and strengths

• 250 mg chewable tablet

• 500 mg tablet

Dosage and duration

Treatment of scurvy: 
The optimal dose has not been established. For information:

• Child 1 month to 11 years: 100 mg 3 times daily 

• Child 12 years and over and adult: 250 mg 3 times daily 

or

• Child 1 month to 3 years: 100 mg 2 times daily 

• Child 4 to 11 years: 250 mg 2 times daily 

• Child 12 years and over and adult : 500 mg 2 times daily 

Treatment is administered at least 2 weeks or longer (until symptoms resolve), then preventive treatment is given as long as the situation requires.

Prevention of scurvy: 

• Child and adult: 50 mg daily, as long as the situation requires

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Ascorbic acid is well tolerated at indicated doses.

• May cause: gastrointestinal disturbances and nephrolithiasis at doses > 1 g daily; may interfere with the measurement of glucose in blood and urine at doses ≥ 2 g daily.

• Pregnancy:

  no contra-indication

  , do not exceed 1 g daily.

• Breast-feeding:

  no contra-indication

Storage

– Below 25 °C