What is Ester-C (Ascorbic Acid)?

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.

What is the most important information I should know about Ester-C (Ascorbic Acid)?

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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ester-C (Ascorbic Acid)?

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.

Ester-C Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Ester-C (Ascorbic Acid)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using ascorbic acid and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe pain in your lower back or side
• blood in your urine
• pain when you urinate
• severe or ongoing diarrhea; or
• feeling like you might pass out

Less serious side effects may include:

• heartburn, stomach cramps
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• headache, dizziness
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin)

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Ester-C Interactions

What other drugs affect Ester-C (Ascorbic Acid)?

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.
The following drugs can interact with ascorbic acid. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• fluphenazine (Permitil)
• indinavir (Crixivan)
• levodopa (Atamet, Larodopa, Parcopa, Sinemet)
• nicotine patches (Nicoderm, Habitrol, Commit)
• antacids that contain aluminum (such as Amphojel, Maalox, Mylanta, Rulox, and others)
• an antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap); or
• a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton)
• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, including Premarin, Estratest, Vivelle, Climara, Estring, Estrace, and others; or
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ascorbic acid. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Ester-C (Ascorbic Acid)?

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Smoking can make ascorbic acid less effective.

Ester-C Dosage

How should I take Ester-C (Ascorbic Acid)?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
The recommended dietary allowance of ascorbic acid increases with age, and whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Follow your doctor’s instructions. You may also consult the National Academy of Sciences “Dietary Reference Intake” or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Dietary Reference Intake” (formerly “Recommended Daily Allowances” or RDA) listings for more information.
Take the ascorbic acid regular tablet or capsule with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
The ascorbic acid chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing. Ascorbic acid gum may be chewed over a long period and then spit out and thrown away.
Remove the disintegrating tablet from the package using dry hands, and place the tablet in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Dissolve the powder form of ascorbic acid in a small amount of water or other liquid. Follow the directions on the package label about what types of liquid you may use. Stir the mixture and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
Store ascorbic acid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Ester-C (Ascorbic Acid)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of ascorbic acid is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms.

What happens if I miss a dose of Ester-C (Ascorbic Acid)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com