Acerola

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) occurs naturally in foods such as citrus fruit, tomatoes, potatoes, and leafy vegetables. Vitamin C 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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use ascorbic acid if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a vitamin C supplement.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using ascorbic acid if you have:

• kidney disease or a history of kidney stones;

• hereditary iron overload disorder (hematochromatosis); or

• if you smoke (smoking can make ascorbic acid less effective).

Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use ascorbic acid without your doctor's advice in either case.

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:

• joint pain, weakness or tired feeling, weight loss, stomach pain;

• chills, fever, increased urge to urinate, painful or difficult urination; or

• severe pain in your side or lower back, blood in your urine.

Common side effects may include:

• heartburn, upset stomach; or

• nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps.

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.

Other drugs may interact with ascorbic acid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Oral, IM, IV, subcutaneously: 50 to 200 mg/day.

Data not available

None well documented.

There is no clinical evidence to guide human dosage of acerola.

Ascorbic acid has been assigned to pregnancy category A by the FDA when used in doses that are advocated by the FDA. Doses exceeding the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) have been assigned to pregnancy category C. Animal studies have not been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Ascorbic acid is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

High doses of ascorbic acid taken during pregnancy have been reported to cause conditional scurvy in infants following birth.