Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Vitamin C [EPC]
- How it is given
- intravenous
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 308395
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Ascorbic acid injection is indicated for the short term (up to 1 week) treatment of scurvy in adult and pediatric patients, age 5 months and older, for whom oral administration is not possible, insufficient or contraindicated. Limitations of Use Ascorbic acid injection is not indicated for the treatment of vitamin C deficiency that is not associated with signs and symptoms of scurvy. Ascorbic acid injection is vitamin C indicated for the short term (up to 1 week) treatment of scurvy in adult and pediatric patients age 5 months and older for whom oral administration is not possible, insufficient or contraindicated. Limitations of Use Ascorbic acid injection is not indicated for treatment of vitamin C deficiency that is not associated with signs and symptoms of scurvy.
About this medicine
Ascorbic acid injection, USP for intravenous use is a colorless to pale yellow, preservative-free, hypertonic, sterile, non-pyrogenic solution of ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid injection must be diluted with an appropriate infusion solution (e.g., 5% Dextrose Injection, USP; Sterile Water for Injection, USP) [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . The chemical name of ascorbic acid, USP is L -ascorbic acid. The molecular formula is C 6 H 8 O 6 . It has the following structural formula: Each ascorbic acid injection, USP, 50 mL, Pharmacy Bulk Package vial that contains 25,000 mg ascorbic acid, equivalent to 28,125 mg sodium ascorbate. Each mL of ascorbic acid injection, USP contains 500 mg of ascorbic acid (equivalent to 562.5 mg of sodium ascorbate which amounts to 65 mg sodium/mL of ascorbic acid injection), 130 mg of sodium bicarbonate 0.28 mg of edetate disodium (dihydrate). Sodium hydroxide is added for pH adjustment (pH range 5.6 to 6.6). It contains no bacteriostatic or antimicrobial agent. Structural formula of Ascorbic Acid
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action The exact mechanism of action of ascorbic acid for the treatment of symptoms and signs of scurvy (a disorder caused by severe deficiency in vitamin C) is unknown; however, administration of ascorbic acid in patients with scurvy is thought to restore the body pool of ascorbic acid.
Warnings and cautions
• Oxalate nephropathy and Nephrolithiasis : Ascorbic acid has been associated with development of acute or chronic oxalate nephropathy following prolonged use of high doses of ascorbic acid infusion. Patients with renal disease including renal impairment, history of oxalate kidney stones, geriatric patients, and pediatric patients less than 2 years old may be at increased risk ( 5.1 ). • Hemolysis : Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency are at risk of severe hemolysis; a reduced dose is recommended ( 5.2 ). • Laboratory Test Interference: Ascorbic acid may interfere with laboratory tests based on oxidation-reduction reactions, including blood and urine glucose testing ( 5.3 ). 5.1 Oxalate Nephropathy and Nephrolithiasis Acute and chronic oxalate nephropathy have been reported with prolonged administration of high doses of ascorbic acid. Acidification of the urine by ascorbic acid may cause precipitation of cysteine, urate or oxalate stones. Patients with renal disease including renal impairment, history of oxalate kidney stones, and geriatric patients may be at increased risk for oxalate nephropathy while receiving treatment with ascorbic acid. Pediatric patients less than 2 years of age may be at increased risk for oxalate nephropathy during treatment with ascorbic acid because their kidneys are immature [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4, 8.5, 8.6) ] . Monitor renal function in patients at increased risk receiving ascorbic Acid Injection. Discontinue ascorbic acid injection in patients who develop oxalate nephropathy and treat any suspected oxalate nephropathy. Ascorbic acid injection is not indicated for prolonged administration (the maximum recommended duration is one week) [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]. 5.2 Hemolysis in Patients with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Hemolysis has been reported with administration of ascorbic acid in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency may be at increased risk for severe hemolysis during treatment with ascorbic acid. […]
Reported side effects
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Oxalate nephropathy and Nephrolithiasis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. • Hemolysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. The following adverse reactions associated with the use of ascorbic acid were identified in the literature. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: Administration site reactions: pain and swelling. Ascorbic acid injection should not be rapidly administered. Rapid intravenous administration (>250 mg/minute) of ascorbic acid injection may cause temporary faintness or nausea, lethargy, flushing, dizziness, and headache (the recommended infusion rates of diluted ascorbic acid injection solution are 1.3 mg/minute (Pediatric Patients age 5 months to less than 12 months), 3.3 mg/minute (Pediatric Patients age 1 year to less than 11 years) and 33 mg/minute (Adults and Pediatric Patients 11 years and older) [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]). Acute and chronic oxalate nephropathy have occurred with prolonged administration of high doses of ascorbic acid [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. In patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, severe hemolysis has occurred [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Most common adverse reactions are pain and swelling at the site of infusion ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact [Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC at 1-800-551-7176] or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Interactions with other medicines
• Antibiotics: Ascorbic acid may decrease the activities of erythromycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, doxycycline, and lincomycin. Bleomycin is inactivated in vitro by ascorbic acid ( 7.1 ). • Amphetamine and Other Drugs Affected by Urine Acidification: Ascorbic acid may cause acidification of the urine and result in decreased amphetamine serum levels and affect excretion and plasma concentrations of other drugs sensitive to urine pH ( 7.2 ). • Warfarin: Continue standard monitoring ( 7.3 ). 7.1 Antibiotics Ascorbic acid may decrease activities of erythromycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, doxycycline, and lincomycin. Bleomycin is inactivated in vitro by ascorbic acid. If the antibiotic efficacy is suspected to be decreased by concomitant administration of ascorbic acid injection, discontinue ascorbic acid injection administration. 7.2 Amphetamines & Other Drugs Affected by Urine Acidification Ascorbic acid may acidify the urine and lower serum concentrations of amphetamine by increasing renal excretion (as reflected by changes in amphetamine urine recovery rates). In case of decreased amphetamine efficacy, discontinue ascorbic acid injection administration. Standard monitoring of therapy is warranted. In addition, acidification of urine by ascorbic acid will alter the excretion of certain drugs affected by the pH of the urine (e.g., fluphenazine) when administered concurrently. It has been reported that concurrent administration of ascorbic acid and fluphenazine has resulted in decreased fluphenazine plasma concentrations. Standard monitoring of therapy is warranted. 7.3 Warfarin Limited case reports have suggested interference of ascorbic acid with the anticoagulation effects of warfarin; however, for patients on warfarin therapy treated with ascorbic acid doses up to 1000 mg/day (5 times the largest recommended single dose) for 2 weeks (twice the maximum recommended duration), no effect was observed. Standard monitoring for anti-coagulation therapy should continue during ascorbic acid treatment, as per standard of care. […]
Use in specific groups
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on use of ascorbic acid injection in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes; however, use of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been used during pregnancy for several decades and no adverse developmental outcomes are reported in the published literature [see Data]. There are dose adjustments for ascorbic acid (vitamin C) use during pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations]. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with ascorbic acid injection. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Dose Adjustments During Pregnancy and Post-Partum Period Follow the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for pregnant women when considering use of Ascorbic acid injection for treatment of scurvy [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. Data Human Data There are no available data on use of ascorbic acid injection or another ascorbic acid injection in pregnant women. However, a published meta–analysis of randomized studies evaluating a large number of pregnant women who took oral ascorbic acid (vitamin C) (through diet and supplementation) at doses ranging from 500 to 1000 mg/day (2.5 to 5 times the recommended daily intravenous dose, respectively) [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] between the 9th and 16th weeks of pregnancy showed no increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery or pregnancy induced hypertension when compared to placebo. These data cannot definitively establish or exclude the absence of a risk with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) during pregnancy. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in human milk following intravenous dosing in lactating women. […]
If too much is taken
Overdose with ascorbic acid may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, facial flushing, rash, headache, fatigue or disturbed sleep. If overdose of ascorbic acid injection occurs, immediately discontinue administration and treat symptoms and signs of overdose, avoiding additional intake of ascorbic acid.
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 17 December 2025. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.