Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) occurs naturally in foods such as citrus fruit, tomatoes, potatoes, and leafy vegetables. Ascorbic acid is important for bones and connective tissues, muscles, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also helps the body absorb iron, which is needed for red blood cell production.

Ascorbic acid is used to treat and prevent vitamin C deficiency.

Ascorbic acid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ascorbic acid.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using ascorbic acid if you have kidney disease or a history of kidney stones, liver disease (especially cirrhosis), or an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).

It is not known whether ascorbic acid is harmful to an unborn baby or a nursing baby. Some vitamins and minerals are needed during pregnancy or for breast milk production, but some may be harmful if taken in large doses. Do not take ascorbic acid without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Ascorbic acid can be harmful to the kidneys, and this effect is increased when ascorbic acid is used together with other medicines that can harm the kidneys. Before taking ascorbic acid, tell your doctor if you are receiving chemotherapy, or using medicines to treat a bowel disorder, medication to prevent organ transplant rejection, antiviral medications, pain or arthritis medicines, or any injected antibiotics. You may need dose adjustments or special tests when taking any of these medications together with ascorbic acid.

Before taking ascorbic acid, tell your doctor about all other medications you take.

Stop using ascorbic acid and call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your lower back or side, blood in your urine, pain when you urinate, severe or ongoing diarrhea, or feel like you might pass out.

You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ascorbic acid.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using ascorbic acid if you have:

• kidney disease or a history of kidney stones;

• liver disease (especially cirrhosis); or

• an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).

It is not known whether ascorbic acid is harmful to an unborn baby. Some vitamins and minerals can harm an unborn baby if taken in large doses. You may need to use a prenatal vitamin specially formulated for pregnant women. Do not take ascorbic acid without telling your doctor if you are pregnant.

Ascorbic acid can pass into breast milk, but it is not known whether it would be harmful to a nursing baby. Some vitamins and minerals are needed for breast milk production, but some may harm a nursing baby. Do not take ascorbic acid without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.