Vitamin C tablets have gained popularity since the pandemic. Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is a naturally occurring vitamin in foods like tomatoes, potatoes, leafy greens, and citrus fruits like oranges, gooseberry.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a vitamin found naturally in fruits and vegetables. It is an essential nutrient for growth of bones and connective tissues along with muscles and blood vessels. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron in the body. Vitamin C is available in the form of tablets that are used to treat vitamin C deficiency.
Uses of Vitamin C Tablets
- Vitamin C tablets are essentially used to treat scurvy caused due to vitamin C deficiency.
- It is also used in the treatment and prevention of common cold or the flu.
- Some other health conditions like autism, breast cancer, and heart disease have vitamin C usage in their treatment protocol. Although there is not much scientific evidence for the same.
- Vitamin C tablets help in the management of anaemia.
- Taking vitamin C tablets orally before any physical exercise or heavy activity like marathon or army training can help prevent upper airway infections.
Side effects of Vitamin C Tablets
When vitamin C tablets are taken orally, the following side effects are observed -
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Abdominal cramps
- Joint pain
- Weakness
- Diarrhoea
In severe cases where the vitamin C tablets are taken in a higher dose, the patient presents with severe diarrhoea and kidney stones.
Precautions and Warnings before taking Vitamin C Tablets
Do not take the vitamin C tablets if -
- You have a renal disease
- You have a history of kidney stones
- You have a hereditary iron overload disorder
- You are a smoker as smoking reduces the effect of ascorbic acid
How to take Vitamin C Tablets?
- Take the tablet as prescribed by your physician.
- Do not change the dosage of the tablet on your own.
- If the Vitamin C tablet is chewable then chew on it before you swallow the tablet.
- Drink lots of fluids while you are on your Vitamin C tablet course.
- If you are taking the extended-release tablet, do not chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet.
How to store the Vitamin C Tablets?
- Keep the tablets away from children and pets.
- Store the Vitamin C tablets at room temperature, in a cool, dark place that is away from moisture and sunlight.
- Do not remove the tablets from the package until you are just about to take it.
Which drugs interact with Vitamin C Tablets?
Vitamin C is known to interact with the following drugs -
- Aluminum - It is found in most antacids. Vitamin C increases the amount of aluminum absorbed by the body. If you are on antacids, take Vitamin C tablets 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking the antacids.
- Estrogens - Vitamin C slows down the breakdown of estrogen in the body.
- Fluphenazine - Taking Vitamin C along with Fluphenazine, reduces the effectiveness of this drug.
- Blood thinners - Warfarin is used to slow down the clotting of blood. Vitamin C taken in large amounts can decrease the effect of Warfarin in the body. This increases your risk of clotting.
What will happen if you miss a dose of Vitamin C Tablets?
- If you happen to miss taking a dose of the tablet, take it when you remember it next.
- Avoid taking a double dose of the Vitamin C Tablets.
