NAME OF DRUG
ascorbic acid

CLASSIFICATION

Vitamin

ALTERNATE NAME

VITAMIN C

INDICATIONS

• prophylaxis and treatment of ascorbic acid deficiency

RECONSTITUTION AND STABILITY

• slight discolouration does not affect therapeutic potency
• stable at room temperature

COMPATIBILITY

• compatible with dextrose solutions, NS, LR, RS
• compatible with calcium chloride, calcium gluconate, heparin, multiple vitamin infusion (MVI), potassium chloride, vitamin B complex with C

ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION

• IM - preferred
• SC
• IV direct - 100 mg or less over 1 minute
• IV intermittent
• IV infusion

VH & HSC ADMINISTRATION POLICY

E - Direct IV route can be administered by nurses on general nursing units provided a venous access has been established, and according to policies and recommendations stated in this manual.

DOSAGE

Adults:

• prophylaxis and treatment of deficiency; 100-500 mg/day

Children:

• prophylaxis; 35 mg/day
• treatment of deficiency: 100 mg TID for 1 week, then 100 mg/day for several weeks

POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF PARENTERAL ADMINISTRATION

• temporary dizziness or faintness may occur with too rapid intravenous injection
• transient pain and swelling at site of injection

IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS

• large doses may cause false positive tests for glycosuria when Benedict's Solution or Clinitest tablets are used
• removed by hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis; plasma levels may decrease by up to 40% - supplement to prevent deficiency states from developing
• hyperoxaluria can occur after large doses
• use cautiously in patients with renal stones

Rev. March 1994