Overview of Vitamin C-500 Injection:

Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin found in fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits and green peppers. 
It occurs as a white or slightly yellow crystal or powder with a slight acidic taste. It is an antiscorbutic product.
On exposure to air and light it gradually darkens. In the dry state it is reasonably stable in air, but in solution it rapidly oxidizes.
Ascorbic acid is a free radical, an antioxidant scavenger, and plays a major role in oxidation-reduction reactions.
Ascorbic acid is a cofactor for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of collagen (essential for tissue maintenance and repair),
carnitine, and neurotransmitters. Humans cannot synthesize ascorbic acid endogenously and a lack of dietary intake can lead to scurvy.
Vitamin C is most frequently used as a nutritional supplement.
It also is used as an adjunct treatment of idiopathic methemoglobinemia and with deferoxamine in the treatment of chronic iron toxicity.
Ascorbic acid has been used for a variety of ailments including the common cold, gum infections, acne, depression, fertility, and cancer;
however, these claims have not been substantiated and vitamin C is not recommended for these purposes (see Mechanism of Action).
Ascorbic acid was approved by the FDA in 1939.

Ascorbic acid is necessary for collagen formation (e.g., connective tissue, cartilage, tooth dentin, skin, and bone matrix) and tissue repair.
It is reversibly oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid. 
Both forms are involved in oxidation-reduction reactions.
Vitamin C is involved in the metabolism of tyrosine, carbohydrates, norepinephrine, histamine, and phenylalanine.
Other processes that require ascorbic acid include biosynthesis of corticosteroids and aldosterone, proteins,
neuropeptides, and carnitine; hydroxylation of serotonin; conversion of cholesterol to bile acids;
maintenance of blood vessel integrity; and cellular respiration.
Vitamin C may promote resistance to infection by the activation of leukocytes, production of interferon,
and regulation of the inflammatory process.
It reduces iron from the ferric to the ferrous state in the intestine to allow absorption,
is involved in the transfer of iron from plasma transferrin to liver ferritin,
and regulates iron distribution and storage by preventing the oxidation of tetrahydrofolate.
Ascorbic acid enhances the chelating action of deferoxamine during treatment of chronic iron toxicity (see Interactions).
Vitamin C may have a role in the regeneration of other biological antioxidants such as glutathione and α-tocopherol to their active state.
Ascorbate deficiency lowers the activity of microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes and cytochrome P-450 electron transport.
In the absence of vitamin C, impaired collagen formation occurs due to a deficiency in the hydroxylation of procollagen and collagen.
Non-hydroxylated collagen is unstable, and the normal processes of tissue repair cannot occur.
This results in the various features of scurvy including capillary fragility manifested as hemorrhagic processes, delayed wound healing, and bony abnormalities.
Currently, the use and dosage regimen of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of diseases, other than scurvy, is unclear.
Although further study is needed to recommend vitamin C therapy for the following ailments,
recent data indicate a positive role for vitamin C for: overall increased mortality;
the prevention of coronary heart disease (especially in women);
management of diabetes mellitus; reducing the risk of stroke; management of atherosclerosis in combination with other antioxidants; osteoporosis prevention; reducing the risk of Alzheimer disease in combination with vitamin E; and the prevention of cataracts.
In humans, an exogenous source of ascorbic acid is required for collagen formation and tissue repair.

Vitamin C is administered orally and by intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous injection. 

The bioavailabilities of vitamin C from foods and supplements are similar;

however, the bioavailability of vitamin C in foods is variable as it is easily degraded with cooking,

processing, or the addition of preservatives (e.g., sodium bicarbonate).

Approximately 70—90% of the usual dietary intake of ascorbic acid (30—180 mg/day) is absorbed,

although absorption falls to <= 50% with doses above 1 g/day or in patients with GI disease (e.g., short bowel syndrome).

Due to homeostatic regulation, the biological half-life of ascorbate varies widely from 8—40 days and is inversely related to body stores.

Total body stores are approximately 1.5 g of ascorbic acid, with a daily turnover of 30—45 mg.

Scurvy symptoms are associated with total body stores of < 300 mg and 3—5 months of deficient vitamin C intake.

High levels of ascorbate are maintained in the pituitary and adrenal glands, leukocytes, eye tissues and humors, and the brain.

Vitamin C crosses the placenta and is distributed into breast milk (see Contraindications).

Most ascorbic acid is reversibly oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid.

The remainder is metabolized to the inactive metabolites (ascorbic acid-2-sulfate and oxalic acid) which are excreted in the urine.

Unmetabolized ascorbate is not excreted with normal dietary intake (<= 80 mg/day); however, renal excretion increases proportionately with higher intake.

When body stores become saturated, excess ascorbic acid is excreted unchanged in the urine;

this is the basis for the ascorbic acid saturation test for vitamin C nutritional status.

With large oral doses, unabsorbed ascorbate is degraded in the intestine, which may be the cause of diarrhea and intestinal discomfort.

Of note, tobacco smoking increases oxidative stress and metabolic turnover of vitamin C, thereby increasing the suggested daily intake of vitamin C in smokers.

General Administration Information:

Intravenous Administration: Dilute in a compatible diluent prior to administration.

Compatible diluents include Dextrose 5%, Dextrose 10%, 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline or NS),

0.45% Sodium Chloride (half-Normal Saline), Lactated Ringer’s (LR), Dextrose/Saline combinations or Dextrose/LR solutions.

For intermittent IV infusion: Add to a large volume of diluent and infuse slowly (manufacturer recommendations).

A faster rate of infusion and less diluent have been used in clinical trials.

A pharmacokinetic modeling study reported the administration of intravenous vitamin C (doses up to 1.25 gram IV) at a rate of 250 mg/min IV to healthy volunteers.

Another study reported the infusion of 3 g of vitamin C infused IV over 10 minutes (rate: 300 mg/min IV) without deleterious effects on monitoring parameters such as the ECG.

For continuous IV infusion: When used for the reduction of fluid resuscitation requirements in severely burned patients,

a 25 mg/mL concentration was compounded in LR solution and administered at a rate of 66 mg/kg/hr.

Ascorbic acid should not be ingested 48—72 hours before amine-dependent stool occult blood tests are conducted because false negatives may occur. 

Chronic, excessive doses of ascorbic acid can cause an increase in its own metabolism,

which can cause scurvy if normal and supplemental intake are significantly reduced or discontinued.

Large doses can also increase the likelihood of oxalate stones in the urinary tract in patients with a history of nephrolithiasis,

hyperoxaluria, or oxalosis.

Large IV or oral doses of ascorbic acid have caused hemolytic anemia in some patients with G6PD deficiency (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency).

High doses of ascorbic acid may interfere with urinary glucose determinations using the glucose oxidase method.

Patients with diabetes mellitus should be made aware of the possibility of falsely decreased glucose concentrations with these tests.

Ascorbic acid may increase the risk of iron toxicity in patients with hemochromatosis, therefore,

patients with hemochromatosis should limit their intake of ascorbic acid to no more than 500 mg/day.

Rarely, ingestion of large quantities of ascorbic acid have been associated with fatal cardiac arrhythmias in patients with iron overload.

Patients with anemia (e.g., sideroblastic anemia, thalassemia) may experience decreased iron absorption during high dose ascorbic acid therapy.

High doses of ascorbic acid may precipitate a crisis in patients with sickle cell anemia.

Ascorbic acid, vitamin C is classified as pregnancy category C. 

Umbilical cord blood concentrations are 2—4 times higher than those of maternal plasma levels.

Adverse effects have not been reported with the normal daily intake of ascorbic acid,

vitamin C within the recommended dietary daily intakes for a pregnant female.

The use of ascorbic acid, vitamin C in excess of the recommended dietary allowance during normal pregnancy should be avoided unless,

in the judgment of the physician, potential benefits in a specific,

unique case outweigh the significant hazards involved.

Ascorbic acid is necessary for many physiologic functions, including the metabolism of iron. 

The absorption of nonheme iron (primarily from plant sources) from the intestinal tract depends on iron being in its reduced form.

(Heme iron, found in meat, fish, and poultry, appears to be absorbed intact.)

Ascorbic acid, by maintaining iron in the ferrous state, can enhance the absorption of oral iron,

however, the magnitude of this increase is in the range of 10% and only occurs with doses of ascorbic acid, vitamin C of 500 mg or greater.

Healthy individuals usually absorb iron supplements (e.g., iron salts or polysaccharide-iron complex) adequately from the GI tract,

but some patients may benefit from receiving supplemental ascorbic acid with each oral iron dose.

Patients should be advised not to take ascorbic acid,

vitamin C supplements along with deferoxamine chelation therapy unless such supplements are prescribed with the approval of their health care professional.

Patients with iron overload usually become vitamin C deficient, probably because iron oxidizes the vitamin.

Vitamin C can be a beneficial adjunct in iron chelation therapy because it facilitates iron chelation and iron complex excretion.

As an adjuvant to iron chelation therapy (e.g., deferoxamine), vitamin C (in doses up to 200 mg/day for adults,

50 mg/day in children < 10 years of age or 100 mg/day in older children) may be given in divided doses, starting after an initial month of regular treatment with deferoxamine. However, higher doses of ascorbic acid, vitamin C can facilitate iron deposition, particularly in the heart tissue, causing cardiac decompensation. In patients with severe chronic iron overload, the concomitant use of deferoxamine with > 500 mg/day PO of vitamin C in adults has lead to impairment of cardiac function;

the dysfunction was reversible when vitamin C was discontinued.

The manufacturer of deferoxamine recommends certain precautions for the coadministration of vitamin C with deferoxamine.

First, vitamin C supplements should not be given concurrently with deferoxamine in patients with heart failure.

Secondly, in other patients, such supplementation should not be started until 1 month of regular treatment with deferoxamine,

and should be given only to patients receiving regular deferoxamine treatments.

Do not exceed vitamin C doses of 200 mg/day for adults, 50 mg/day in children < 10 years of age, or 100 mg/day in older children, given in divided doses.

Clinically monitor all patients, especially the elderly, for signs or symptoms of decreased cardiac function.

Oxalate, urate, or cystine renal stones causing renal tubular obstruction, 

characterized by costovertebral pain or lower back pain, can occur following large doses of ascorbic acid.

Hyperoxaluria develops in 5% of patients taking large doses.

Patients at an increased risk are those with renal disease, on hemodialysis,

or with a history of nephrolithiasis.

Ascorbic acid is generally nontoxic.

Adverse reactions that have been reported include flushing, headache, nausea/vomiting, and abdominal cramps.

Diarrhea has resulted from oral dosages of more than 1 gram daily.

Dizziness and faintness can result from rapid administration of IV ascorbic acid.

Hemolytic anemia due to hemolysis has been observed in some patients

with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency after receiving large IV or oral doses of ascorbic acid.

In rare cases,

sickle-cell crisis has occurred in patients with sickle cell disease because of decreased blood pH.

Excessive use of chewable ascorbic acid formulations can lead to dental caries or sensitivity from the breakdown of dental enamel.

Store this medication in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). 

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Throw away any unused medicine after the beyond use date.

Do not flush unused medications or pour down a sink or drain.