Vitamin C Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

Take this vitamin by mouth with or without food, usually 1 to 2 times daily. Follow all directions on the product package, or take as directed by your doctor.

If you are taking the extended-release capsules, swallow them whole. Do not crush or chew extended-release capsules or tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Swallow the whole tablet without crushing or chewing. Take this product with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise.

If you are taking the wafers or chewable tablets, chew them thoroughly and then swallow. If you are taking the lozenges, place the lozenge in your mouth and allow it to slowly dissolve.

If you are taking the powder, mix it thoroughly in the proper amount of liquid or soft food and stir well. Take all of the mixture right away. Do not prepare a supply for future use. If you are using the liquid form of this vitamin, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Use this vitamin regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.

If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.

Vitamin C Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What are the side effects of vitamin C in the mouth? ›

Safety and side effects

When taken at appropriate doses, oral vitamin C supplements are generally considered safe. Taking too much vitamin C can cause side effects, including: Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Heartburn.

What medications does vitamin C interfere with? ›

Barbiturates -- Barbiturates may decrease the effects of vitamin C. These drugs include phenobarbital (Luminal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and seconobarbital (Seconal). Chemotherapy drugs -- As an antioxidant, vitamin C may interfere with the effects of some drugs taken for chemotherapy.

Who should not take vitamin C tablets? ›

Diabetics should take vitamin C supplements carefully because the drug will raise blood sugar levels. Vitamin C should be used with caution in oxalate nephropathy or nephrolithiasis because acidification by ascorbic acid increases the likelihood of precipitation of cysteine, urate and oxalate stones.

Which of the following medications should vitamin C not be taken with? ›

If you take any of the following medicines, talk to your healthcare provider before taking vitamin C supplements:
  • Acetaminophen or antacids that have aluminum. ...
  • Aspirin. ...
  • Barbiturates. ...
  • Fluphenazine. ...
  • Indinavir. ...
  • Nicotine products, such as cigarettes. ...
  • Oral estrogens. ...
  • Tetracycline antibiotics.

What are the negative side effects of vitamin C? ›

In some people, vitamin C might cause side effects such as stomach cramps, nausea, heartburn, and headache. The chance of getting these side effects increases with higher doses. Taking more than 2000 mg daily is possibly unsafe and may cause kidney stones and severe diarrhea.

Is 1000 mg of vitamin C too much? ›

The upper limit for all adults is 2,000 mg a day. Although too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful, large doses of vitamin C supplements might cause: Diarrhea.

Which vitamins Cannot be taken with vitamin C? ›

Some vitamins that should not be taken together, or have dosage limitations, include vitamin C with vitamin B-12, vitamin A supplement with vitamin A-rich foods, folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12, and vitamin E with vitamin K.

What Cannot be paired with vitamin C? ›

Skincare ingredients not to mix with vitamin C

Vitamin C, AHAs (glycolic acid), and BHAs (salicylic acid) are acidic in nature. Layering them together can lower the skin's pH, making it more acidic. When skin pH goes off balance, it becomes a recipe for skin irritation, redness, and peeling.

When should vitamin C be avoided? ›

Vitamin C supplementation is contraindicated in blood disorders like thalassemia, G6PD deficiency, sickle cell disease, and hemochromatosis. Avoid taking supplements immediately before or following angioplasty. Diabetic patients should take vitamin C supplements with care as it raises blood sugar levels.

Why avoid taking vitamin C at night? ›

The evening is not the best time because vitamin C is acidic and can cause problems when consumed on an empty stomach, especially in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease – of course the dosage matters.

Why should you not take vitamin C and B12 together? ›

Taking vitamin B-12 with vitamin C might reduce the available amount of vitamin B-12 in your body. To avoid this interaction, take vitamin C two or more hours after taking a vitamin B-12 supplement.

How long does 1000mg of vitamin C stay in your system? ›

The amount of time Vitamin C remains in your system depends on the factors listed above, but in general, it usually takes between 12 and 24 hours for it to be processed and excreted. This means that if you take a single dose of Vitamin C, its concentration in your body should begin to decline within 12-4 hours.

What does vitamin C do for your mouth? ›

Vitamin C. Vitamin C strengthens your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth. It can protect against gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and can prevent your teeth from loosening. Did you know that many animals (like elephants and dogs) create vitamin C in their bodies, even though humans can't?

What does vitamin C do to your tongue? ›

Vitamin C: Promotes healthy capillaries and mouth tissue. Bleeding gums can be due to a lack of vitamin C. This essential vitamin also helps the body to fight off infections and bacteria, such as the Candida bacteria that causes tongue thrush.

Can too much vitamin C hurt your mouth? ›

Vitamin C is actually ascorbic acid, and the mouth doesn't respond well to too much acid. So if you're overshooting the recommended daily intake - which is easy to do, as most supplements are around the 500 to 1,000mg mark - this could be the cause of your ulcers. Alcohol can also irritate the lining of the mouth.

Can vitamin C be absorbed in the mouth? ›

1. Ascorbic acid was absorbed across the mucosa of the human mouth. 2. Omission of sodium ions from the medium decreased the absorption of ascorbic acid.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 5600

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.