Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin essential for normal physiological functions. It plays a key role in collagen synthesis, amino acid metabolism, iron absorption, and exhibits antioxidant properties.

Indications for Use:

• Prevention and treatment of vitamin C deficiency (scurvy).
• Hemorrhagic diathesis, capillarotoxicosis, and bleeding of various origins (e.g., nasal, post-extraction, pulmonary, uterine, or radiation-induced) as part of combination therapy.
• Increased physiological demand during growth, pregnancy, lactation, or in conditions of physical or mental stress.
• Recovery phase following infectious diseases or intoxication.
• Liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, as part of complex therapy.
• Chronic adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) and adrenal crises in Addison’s disease.
• Hypoacid gastritis, peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum, post-gastric resection states, enteritis, and colitis.
• Slow-healing wounds and ulcers, as well as bone fractures.

Side Effects:

• Neurological: Headache, fatigue.
• Cardiovascular: Elevated blood pressure, myocardiodystrophy.
• Endocrine and Metabolic: Impaired pancreatic function (hyperglycemia, glucosuria), thrombocytosis, anemia, neutrophilia, hypokalemia, hyperprothrombinemia, thrombosis, reduced capillary permeability, impaired tissue trophism.
• Allergic Reactions: Including rash, anaphylactic shock.
• Renal and Urological: Renal dysfunction (glomerulopathy), urolithiasis, oxalate stone formation.
• With Prolonged High-Dose Use: Sodium and fluid retention, microangiopathies, disturbances in zinc and copper metabolism leading to neurotoxic effects (e.g., increased CNS excitability, sleep disturbances).

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
• Hypercoagulability.
• Tendency to thrombosis or thrombophlebitis.
• Diabetes mellitus, hyperoxaluria, nephrolithiasis.
• Hemochromatosis, thalassemia.
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Special Instructions:

• During pregnancy and lactation, ascorbic acid should be used only if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the possible risk to the fetus or infant.
• The recommended minimum daily intake during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is approximately 60 mg.
• It is important to note that the fetus may adapt to high doses of ascorbic acid consumed by the mother, potentially leading to a "withdrawal" syndrome in the newborn.
• The recommended minimum daily intake during lactation is 80 mg.
• A well-balanced maternal diet containing adequate ascorbic acid is sufficient to prevent deficiency in the nursing infant.
• High maternal doses of ascorbic acid may theoretically pose a risk to the infant; nursing mothers are advised not to exceed the recommended daily allowance.

Note:

Consult a healthcare professional before initiating therapy with ascorbic acid to determine appropriate dosing and evaluate potential risks.